Severity?  Carted off?  Walked off? Helped off?  Don't leave us hanging/guessing!

Quote from: Crubacker on September 01, 2024, 08:23:25 PMSeverity?  Carted off?  Walked off? Helped off?  Don't leave us hanging/guessing!

Not sure! Dad said he was screaming on the ground and they brought out the stretcher but he refused to get on it. That's all he said about it.

Quote from: Crubacker on September 01, 2024, 01:24:50 PMAny thoughts on the scrimmage last night?  I was at the A&M game watching the Aggies miserable offensive performance. Would have been better off watching the scrimmage.

I went to the game on Saturday but left when I found out the team they were going to play had travel issues. Went home to watch Bethel (TN) play their game.

Initial thoughts on the Crusaders after viewing last week's scrimmage:

OL: The online looks promising but once again struggled in the first half to keep the QBs off their backside. I'm not sure what it is: a downtick in talent or a failure of coaching? Based on what I've seen, I would choose the latter rather than the former. The second half was much better and led to some great throws by Wright and Phe.

DL: This crew looks to be some of the most talented we've had. With returners and D1 transfers, this unit has the makings of a dominant force. Again, they were gashed a few times by the RB, but as they began to gel over the course of the game, they really flew to the ball and put pressure on the QB.

LBs and Secondary: This group looks down again. While the LBs are led by pre season All American Hill, the over all play seemed spotty. Too many times they were being taken out by OL causing the secondary to make plays. The safety or Cru Back in that game playing with the 1s did look good. He flew to the ball and made some great stops. Our CBs looked outplayed. In a scheme that typically puts them on an island, they will HAVE to improve prior to the UWW game.

Skill Positions: Phe came out looking like he should after having played the majority of snaps last year. He looked a lot more confident, of course, which led to better decision making. There were still a couple of plays where I felt he could have ran the ball up field. His throws looked confident and strong. Wright also looked very good. I really enjoyed watching him and feel very comfortable with him though he is a first year player for UMHB. The third QB, out of Arkansas, Renfro, throws a nice ball but left many short. I think he is dealing with his own mental struggles based on the articles I've seen. He has the potential to be great. I would really like to see Brayden Whitehead get a chance. He has good size.

The RBs were looking excellent. I think they have the opportunity to be the best we've had since the 21 championship team. They lower their head and bring the boom. That is something we missed last year. Osborn and Ferguson look ready to lead the way and make defenses suffer.

WRs were good...not great. AJ Williams was the standout scoring two second half TDs. He has the opportunity to be like Brandon Jordan was. Not as thick as Jordan, but his hands are equal if not better. I need to see more out of Jerry Day and Jerry Cephus. They were non existent much like the end of last year. I'm excited for the newcomers for this unit: Daramola and Royals. On paper they have great upside.

Based on what I saw of the Bethel (TN) game, we will have to block well on the OL. Their skill positions don't look great. They do have an RB that can find holes, so our DTs will need to fill holes and give take on blocks to give our LBs an opportunity to be run stoppers. I like our chances and feel a score of 35-14 is possible.

That Brayden Whitehead part. Been intrigued by him since last season after watching some of his highschool tape. He stood out to me above all the other incoming candidates last season. But who knows if that's translated to the college level. I have to assume there are valid reasons why he hasn't been getting the reps.

I know transfer portal is just a reality of today's game, but honestly the sheer volume of transfers on the varsity roster is a bit disheartening to me. I find it hard to believe that most transfers can ever truly assimilate and be 100% committed to the program and culture in one season with the team.

Really hoping it pays off, especially with the ones who still have multiple years of eligibility. Hopefully they actually bleed purple and gold and are Unselfish. Hate to think this is just an opportunity for them to get some game tape and then just transfer out again to a bigger program.

I really wish I could have seen the intrasquad scrimmage, so I could have seen the improvement from the UANL scrimmage to now. I'm just ready for the season to start this Saturday and looking for The CRU to bounce back this year so that I have a chance to attend some Cru playoff football later this fall!

Transfer Portal: Honestly, I hate it. I wish guys would just make a commitment and stick to it, but that is the way of the world. I DO believe that the culture, tradition, and facilities will help bring and keep good players. We've had players in the past transfer in and stay: Blake Jackson, Kyle King, Brandon Jordon, KJ Miller, and others.

NIL: It is my understanding that UMHB has been behind on NIL. This is worse than the portal in my opinion. NIL is killing programs and returns us to the those that have win out. My understanding is that other programs have lured players away from UMHB because they could offer more NIL money.

Game Attendance: I was discussing this with current students last night. The student section is not good. They aren't well attended and lack any attitude. I feel the university has had some hand in squashing the excitement and creativity by students. Years ago the student section along with Couch Cru was loud, boisterous, and creative. Crusader Stadium lacks relevant proximity for a student section. You look at UWW, St. Johns, HSU, and others, and their students are right on the field. They also get loud. A Sader Bell told me that the volume and participation by the student section is not good. This could be perpetuated by the feeling that we are going to blow out every team as we have done in years past save for HSU. The school needs to do a better job of getting students involved. Along those lines, the participation by alumni and the area is abysmal. The alumni don't stick around Belton and don't flock to games like your D1 schools and even D3 schools such as those mentioned above. The average fan did not go to UMHB. I've been told many times to not stomp my feet or whistle as it jars people using binoculars and hurts people's ears. That is Ridiculous but a good reflection of the common, aged, out of touch fan who only comes because they enjoy football. They aren't bought in. The stadium should be packed out. That is where the school comes in. They don't advertise. When I worked in Killeen, many people didn't even know UMHB had a football team that had won multiple championships. I never hear a radio commercial or see a television commercial. I'm really upset by that fact. I've been told that would be a sports department issue. I just don't get it. It frustrates me to no end.

Quote from: umhb2001 on September 02, 2024, 01:08:53 PMTransfer Portal: Honestly, I hate it. I wish guys would just make a commitment and stick to it, but that is the way of the world. I DO believe that the culture, tradition, and facilities will help bring and keep good players. We've had players in the past transfer in and stay: Blake Jackson, Kyle King, Brandon Jordon, KJ Miller, and others.

NIL: It is my understanding that UMHB has been behind on NIL. This is worse than the portal in my opinion. NIL is killing programs and returns us to the those that have win out. My understanding is that other programs have lured players away from UMHB because they could offer more NIL money.

Game Attendance: I was discussing this with current students last night. The student section is not good. They aren't well attended and lack any attitude. I feel the university has had some hand in squashing the excitement and creativity by students. Years ago the student section along with Couch Cru was loud, boisterous, and creative. Crusader Stadium lacks relevant proximity for a student section. You look at UWW, St. Johns, HSU, and others, and their students are right on the field. They also get loud. A Sader Bell told me that the volume and participation by the student section is not good. This could be perpetuated by the feeling that we are going to blow out every team as we have done in years past save for HSU. The school needs to do a better job of getting students involved. Along those lines, the participation by alumni and the area is abysmal. The alumni don't stick around Belton and don't flock to games like your D1 schools and even D3 schools such as those mentioned above. The average fan did not go to UMHB. I've been told many times to not stomp my feet or whistle as it jars people using binoculars and hurts people's ears. That is Ridiculous but a good reflection of the common, aged, out of touch fan who only comes because they enjoy football. They aren't bought in. The stadium should be packed out. That is where the school comes in. They don't advertise. When I worked in Killeen, many people didn't even know UMHB had a football team that had won multiple championships. I never hear a radio commercial or see a television commercial. I'm really upset by that fact. I've been told that would be a sports department issue. I just don't get it. It frustrates me to no end.

But... Those 2-3 billboards on I-35 are all the advertising we need!!! /sarcasm

Quote from: umhb2001 on September 02, 2024, 01:08:53 PMTransfer Portal: Honestly, I hate it. I wish guys would just make a commitment and stick to it, but that is the way of the world. I DO believe that the culture, tradition, and facilities will help bring and keep good players. We've had players in the past transfer in and stay: Blake Jackson, Kyle King, Brandon Jordon, KJ Miller, and others.

NIL: It is my understanding that UMHB has been behind on NIL. This is worse than the portal in my opinion. NIL is killing programs and returns us to the those that have win out. My understanding is that other programs have lured players away from UMHB because they could offer more NIL money.

I have a hard time believing UMHB is behind on NIL when there are literally dozens of players willing to transfer there, many from higher divisions, and has a freshman class that by itself is larger than some D3 rosters.  NIL certainly could be contributing to players leaving the program, but seeing that many transfers and new players coming in could also be a factor.   

Quote from: Ron Boerger on September 02, 2024, 04:58:22 PM

Quote from: umhb2001 on September 02, 2024, 01:08:53 PMTransfer Portal: Honestly, I hate it. I wish guys would just make a commitment and stick to it, but that is the way of the world. I DO believe that the culture, tradition, and facilities will help bring and keep good players. We've had players in the past transfer in and stay: Blake Jackson, Kyle King, Brandon Jordon, KJ Miller, and others.

NIL: It is my understanding that UMHB has been behind on NIL. This is worse than the portal in my opinion. NIL is killing programs and returns us to the those that have win out. My understanding is that other programs have lured players away from UMHB because they could offer more NIL money.

I have a hard time believing UMHB is behind on NIL when there are literally dozens of players willing to transfer there, many from higher divisions, and has a freshman class that by itself is larger than some D3 rosters.  NIL certainly could be contributing to players leaving the program, but seeing that many transfers and new players coming in could also be a factor.   

I have talked to folks who know that their kid has left UMHB, for example our starting center from last year who went to etbu, because he could get more money. I've also heard that Trinity and HSU are giving more money. I know a tennis player who has been with UMHB for three years. He stated that NIL for UMHB really started last year.

So, while it might not be as bad as I think it is, it isn't as good as it could be. There's some kind of issue. We haven't seen MU or UWW have the kind of season we had last year. That's either having to do with NIL, the system, the coaches, or THE coach. Not sure.

Quote from: umhb2001 on September 02, 2024, 07:57:56 PM

Quote from: Ron Boerger on September 02, 2024, 04:58:22 PM

Quote from: umhb2001 on September 02, 2024, 01:08:53 PMTransfer Portal: Honestly, I hate it. I wish guys would just make a commitment and stick to it, but that is the way of the world. I DO believe that the culture, tradition, and facilities will help bring and keep good players. We've had players in the past transfer in and stay: Blake Jackson, Kyle King, Brandon Jordon, KJ Miller, and others.

NIL: It is my understanding that UMHB has been behind on NIL. This is worse than the portal in my opinion. NIL is killing programs and returns us to the those that have win out. My understanding is that other programs have lured players away from UMHB because they could offer more NIL money.

I have a hard time believing UMHB is behind on NIL when there are literally dozens of players willing to transfer there, many from higher divisions, and has a freshman class that by itself is larger than some D3 rosters.  NIL certainly could be contributing to players leaving the program, but seeing that many transfers and new players coming in could also be a factor.   

I have talked to folks who know that their kid has left UMHB, for example our starting center from last year who went to etbu, because he could get more money. I've also heard that Trinity and HSU are giving more money. I know a tennis player who has been with UMHB for three years. He stated that NIL for UMHB really started last year.

So, while it might not be as bad as I think it is, it isn't as good as it could be. There's some kind of issue. We haven't seen MU or UWW have the kind of season we had last year. That's either having to do with NIL, the system, the coaches, or THE coach. Not sure.

Doesn't surprise me with ETBU.  IIRC that one WR who transferred to UMHB and then to ETBU had some NIL deals over there...  I can't remember what the dude's name was but he blocked me on Twitter lol!

The other issue is the price of school. While somewhere around 90% of students receive some kind of financial assistance at UMHB, it is a private school that costs more than others. The grounds, the facilities, the dorms, all of these take money. Post covid, enrollment has been down. With lower cost options via online, a lot of kids aren't paying to go to school. For many, the option of getting a degree online and not racking up a ton of debt is the way to go. For many of these 240 kids at UMHB, the truth is, many will never see a varsity down while racking up huge numbers on the debt. They may not care about winning and the chance for a natty if they can play, get a low price degree, and not be chained down with payments way beyond their means. And with the way that the democratic party will probably win the next election and tax out the wazoo to pay for those who haven't worked for a home, a car, a cell phone, the cost of living is going to go up, the ability to own and create is going to go away, and many will continue to look for cheaper options for schooling. But...I digress. Sorry.

umhb2001,

There is a discussion on school costs on the "Future of Division 3" on the "general D3 Issues" discussion.  The political comments have already been covered by olddog elsewhere.

Quote from: umhb2001 on September 02, 2024, 07:57:56 PMI have talked to folks who know that their kid has left UMHB, for example our starting center from last year who went to etbu, because he could get more money. I've also heard that Trinity and HSU are giving more money. I know a tennis player who has been with UMHB for three years. He stated that NIL for UMHB really started last year.

So, while it might not be as bad as I think it is, it isn't as good as it could be. There's some kind of issue. We haven't seen MU or UWW have the kind of season we had last year. That's either having to do with NIL, the system, the coaches, or THE coach. Not sure.

I can't talk to ETBU or HSU, but if Trinity is spending more on NIL it's not in football, where they saw all of 4 transfers (none from ASC schools) and had a typical freshman class around 35.  I don't doubt that there is some impact because the number of transfers we're seeing all across the state is much higher than normal. 

Quote from: umhb2001 on September 02, 2024, 09:24:13 PMI digress. Sorry.

We are famously not interested in having political discussions on the boards. Please save your commentary for another platform.

ASC Pick'ems is back. Ralph Turner and I will be running it again and we decided to fully add the SCAC games into the mix to add games and hopefully new contestants. I would love for any of you to join the contest and note that ETBU starts on Friday night.