Quote from: tigerguy on August 31, 2024, 01:19:02 PMAnybody heard how Tigers looked in scrimmage vs Blinn?

A few notes from the scrimmage last night.  Blinn is a JUCO that feeds A&M, is my understanding.  A lot of size which was very good for TU.

First team offense moved the ball very well during drills and it seemed that the offense focused on power through the line to score in the redzone. TU struggled in that regard last year.

QBs Back and Bishop looked really solid, but the underclass QBs got the most reps and their lack of college experience showed despite raw talent.  Look for Will Taylor (#2, Junior) to be the go-to receiver.  He had a couple of remarkable receptions.

Point of interest - junior LB Xae Huerta has moved to RB (although he's still listed as a LB on the roster). Huerta was a star hometown RB at Jay HS here in San Antonio and spent his first year at DI Columbia.  He seems quite comfortable running the ball or taking a screen pass downfield.

I was pleasantly surprised by the secondary.  They gave Blinn a real challenge and several plays had to be shut down by the refs during drills (they do that since tackling the QBs was off-limits).  Quality of the defense is the big unknown entering the season.  A couple of returning D-linemen have put on good weight.

The event got quite chippy during the two practice quarters at the end (mainly Blinn-caused and penalized).  Urban had to call the entire team together to try and reset things.

Lots of parents and fans in the stands and the team was energetic and enthusiastic.  I anticipate a lot more drama this season but look forward to the emergence of some real talent as the season unfolds.

If you have specific questions about the scrimmage I can try to provide more specific answers.  Hope this helps.

Nobody talking about the crazy finish in Jackson last night? Crazy game, all Belhaven in the first to go up 14-0 and looked like it was going to be a blow out. Then Millsaps completely dominated the 2nd and 3rd quarters to go up 23-14 until it looked like Belhaven finally woke back up with a solid drive in the 4th to make it 23-21 and forced Millsaps into 3 and outs. Millsaps kind of got screwed when they punted with about 5 minutes left when the ball touched a Belhaven player and Millsaps recovered but the officials gave the ball to Belhaven. On the next play Millsaps got the ball back on an interception. When they got the ball back Belhaven drove down inside the 10 and looked like were going to score easily but on 2nd and goal at the 4 with 39 seconds left snapped the ball over the QB's head and Millsaps recovered and was able to run out the clock. Sad way to lose a game.

Millsaps has a freshman QB who is really good and will be someone to keep an eye on. Strong accurate arm and a good runner.

One-time SAA football affiliate WashU will be kicked out of the CCIW, where they are now an affiliate, after the 2025 season:  https://www.d3football.com/notables/2024/09/cciw-cutting-wash-u-loose

While it's doubtful the conference would entertain it unless their hand was forced by another school closure, it's not outside the realm of possibility that they could affiliate with the SAA in 2026.  The ASC would probably love to have them (especially if they could find another school) but I can't see a UAA school playing football there or in the SCAC.

Interesting tidbit:  WashU was a charter member of the College Athletic Conference, and was a member from the league's founding in 1962 until departing in 1972.  The CAC became the SCAC in 1991.

I would think the first call they receive is from the ASC.  If that conference hopes to make it as a football conference, they have to add members and add them quick.

They'll get a call to be sure.  Whether they answer it (WashU, like all the UAA schools, is a premiere research institution and only accepts around 12% of applicants) is another story.  They have time, and they'll have options.

Trinity looks bad and is showing the team's inexperience.

Quote from: tigerguy on September 07, 2024, 09:01:10 PMTrinity looks bad and is showing the team's inexperience.

Only bright spots were the O-line and kicking.

In the cruelest of ironies, TU owned the interior running game, something they struggled with the last two seasons.  And then they didn't lean on that advantage in the red zone.

Not sure what can be done...

Bring back Caleb Harmel and Tucker Horn

Quote from: D3Navy on September 08, 2024, 12:22:46 AM

Quote from: tigerguy on September 07, 2024, 09:01:10 PMTrinity looks bad and is showing the team's inexperience.

Only bright spots were the O-line and kicking.

In the cruelest of ironies, TU owned the interior running game, something they struggled with the last two seasons.  And then they didn't lean on that advantage in the red zone.

Not sure what can be done...

Here's the thing.  We swapped out so many guys that had played together for years and knew their roles that it's expected there would be growing pains.  Last night you saw what happens when nearly all your leaders leave. TLU had a QB that was totally unconcious in the first half (16 of 18, so only one pass hit the ground with the interception from a career 60% passer).  Getting down early meant Trinity couldn't use the run as much as they might have liked, and there were way too many unforced errors and penalties.  I think there were five or six personal fouls, and while you can question if some calls might have been marginal, it's another sign of inexperience when players allow their emotions to get the best of them that much. 

There will be film study, there will be serious discussions, and now that the new guys know what actual game speed and emotion is I trust the coaching staff to have the team much better prepared next week.  Does that mean they're going to turn on a dime and everything's going to be like it was the last few seasons?  Of course not, but if you don't give the other team five penalty first downs and set them up in great field position on turnovers that would be a start.

I do wonder how the outcome of the game might have changed had Berend Kahlden been able to haul in that tipped Hail Mary at the end of the first half - but despite having many miraculous things happen the last few seasons, you can't expect miracles to be a regular part of your game plan. 

Would have liked to see more from Back. Yes it's his first season as starter but he's had several years practicing against college players and he clearly has a good arm. But the lack of accuracy was very concerning and he missed some very open players, often forcing balls elsewhere rather than scanning the field. Expected that the drop off from Horn would be felt, but a 44% completion percentage is never going to acceptable at a top tier program

When does Horn 2.0 get to campus???

Quote from: BSCpanthers on September 08, 2024, 10:35:10 PMWhen does Horn 2.0 get to campus???

He's a commit for next year's freshman class.  Whether or not he ends up being Horn 2.0 (even with Horn 1.0 as his coach this season) is to be seen.

Right on schedule, from Texas Private School Football, their TAPPS D3/D4 PoTW is one Welker Horn:  24/31 for 387 yards and 5 TDs, along with 8 rushes for 44 yards and 2 TDs in a 47-17 win at Sundown, a UIL (public) 2A school (second smallest classification in the state, 105-253 students).  LCS (Lubbock Christian) is in TAPPS 3A with an enrollment of 133.

In the opening game of the season, a 40-29 win at home against Wink, another 2A public school, Horn was 21/39 for 320 yards, 4 TDs, and an interception to go with 102 yards and 2 TDs rushing (including a 95 yard run).

Next up for Horn and LCS is Stamford (sic), ranked #4 statewide in Division 2A-1, much higher than either of the schools they've faced so far. 

Berry having a very sloppy game so far. Blocked/botched punt leads to a quick TD for DePauw. Weather isn't allowing Berry's run game to get going, and their QB (who appears to have a great arm) has not been anywhere close to accurate. Lots of game left to wake up.

Quote from: tigerguy on September 14, 2024, 01:25:34 PMBerry having a very sloppy game so far. Blocked/botched punt leads to a quick TD for DePauw. Weather isn't allowing Berry's run game to get going, and their QB (who appears to have a great arm) has not been anywhere close to accurate. Lots of game left to wake up.

Yeah, this doesn't look like the same team we saw last week.