welp...

Going to have to open up the offense now... which probably plays into JHU's hands.

They definitely found a mismatch with number 88

Quote from: umhbalum on December 14, 2024, 12:45:16 PMwelp...

Going to have to open up the offense now... which probably plays into JHU's hands.

They definitely found a mismatch with number 88

Physical mismatches man to man and the QB/receivers are picking apart zone. It could be a long day if they don't figure it out quick.

Congrats JHU and good luck next week.

Congrats to the Cru on a great season, definitely need to see some changes going into next year with the Offensive Coordinator at minimum. I give credit to the players and Harmon for what they did to finish the year strong, felt more like the Cru of the past, and not just talking about Wins/Losses

Congrats to JHU. It looks like they have the defense and weapons on offense to do some real damage in the final four.

Congratulations to JHU on a hard fought win. The Cru got back on track at the end of the season into post season, but just ran out of steam. Much appreciation to The Cru players for their hard work and drive!

The defense and special teams had done their jobs, but the offensive side of the house needs some serious review. The same old play calling is not going to cut it during the season let alone during the post season. The Cru seems to have some very fast wide receivers, but the ball isn't finding its way into their hands. I hope that during the off season some hard decision will be made to put The Cru back at its former echelon.

Solid improvement from the Crusader team this year, particularly toward the end of the season.

A couple of personnel priorities that they need to address if we are going to continue work our way back to the Stagg Bowl:

1. Go find some mean, nasty, road grading offensive linemen. The guys we had this year are big, but they are soft and get pushed around way too much for guys their size.

2. Scour the portal for some explosive WRs. UMHB has solid role players at the position, but it has been sorely missing guys who can score from anywhere on the field ever since KJ Miller and Aaron Sims left. Without the ability to score on big plays, the offense is forced to methodically drive the field, leaving little room for error, and they are still too undisciplined and mistake prone to do that consistently.

3. Find a stud QB (easier said than done, I know). Wright is not a bad player, but I'm also not convinced he is a championship caliber player. We don't currently have a King/Hammack/Jackson type player on this team, and we're not going to get over the hump without one.

Otherwise, they have a defense and RB stable that are capable of winning a championship. Make a few upgrades and I think the Crusaders will be a contender in 2025.

Quote from: UMHB03 on December 14, 2024, 03:01:46 PMSolid improvement from the Crusader team this year, particularly toward the end of the season.

A couple of personnel priorities that they need to address if we are going to continue work our way back to the Stagg Bowl:

1. Go find some mean, nasty, road grading offensive linemen. The guys we had this year are big, but they are soft and get pushed around way too much for guys their size.

2. Scour the portal for some explosive WRs. UMHB has solid role players at the position, but it has been sorely missing guys who can score from anywhere on the field ever since KJ Miller and Aaron Sims left. Without the ability to score on big plays, the offense is forced to methodically drive the field, leaving little room for error, and they are still too undisciplined and mistake prone to do that consistently.

3. Find a stud QB (easier said than done, I know). Wright is not a bad player, but I'm also not convinced he is a championship caliber player. We don't currently have a King/Hammack/Jackson type player on this team, and we're not going to get over the hump without one.

Otherwise, they have a defense and RB stable that are capable of winning a championship. Make a few upgrades and I think the Crusaders will be a contender in 2025.

Point #3 is key. They had one and chased him out of the program before the season started, in favor of a d1 coach's kid... The play calling was only an issue because the QB didn't play well enough. The receivers are good enough, O line is fine. QB is the pressing need. 5 can't push the ball downfield and doesn't throw with enough tempo for speedy WRs.

I do think the OC should be replaced, but his scheme and calls aren't the issue in my opinion. His personnel decisions are.

Quote from: CRUmember on December 14, 2024, 03:08:31 PM

Quote from: UMHB03 on December 14, 2024, 03:01:46 PMSolid improvement from the Crusader team this year, particularly toward the end of the season.

A couple of personnel priorities that they need to address if we are going to continue work our way back to the Stagg Bowl:

1. Go find some mean, nasty, road grading offensive linemen. The guys we had this year are big, but they are soft and get pushed around way too much for guys their size.

2. Scour the portal for some explosive WRs. UMHB has solid role players at the position, but it has been sorely missing guys who can score from anywhere on the field ever since KJ Miller and Aaron Sims left. Without the ability to score on big plays, the offense is forced to methodically drive the field, leaving little room for error, and they are still too undisciplined and mistake prone to do that consistently.

3. Find a stud QB (easier said than done, I know). Wright is not a bad player, but I'm also not convinced he is a championship caliber player. We don't currently have a King/Hammack/Jackson type player on this team, and we're not going to get over the hump without one.

Otherwise, they have a defense and RB stable that are capable of winning a championship. Make a few upgrades and I think the Crusaders will be a contender in 2025.

Point #3 is key. They had one and chased him out of the program before the season started, in favor of a d1 coach's kid... The play calling was only an issue because the QB didn't play well enough. The receivers are good enough, O line is fine. QB is the pressing need. 5 can't push the ball downfield and doesn't throw with enough tempo for speedy WRs.

I do think the OC should be replaced, but his scheme and calls aren't the issue in my opinion. His personnel decisions are.

How don't know how you hold on to quality QB's RB's and WR's in D3 in this era of NIL?

Had the pleasure of sitting on the visitors side (the sunny side) at the JHU - UMHB playoff game today at Homewood. Very impressed with the display of sportsmanship by the Cru fans and the Cru players throughout the game.

Also impressed at the size of the UMHB crowd that made the trip to Baltimore from Texas.

Unfortunate end for the Cru in a very winnable game.

With the end as it is, I believe Harmon stays. Former players love him. Was that as a defensive coach or as a head coach? I don't hear positive things from current student athletes on campus about his style of head coaching. That being said, I believe he stays.

Defensively, we were very good this year. We beat UWW, avenged two losses to HSU, got past Trinity, and took care of a good Linfield team.

Offensively, we need to make a change. Not enough creativity in my opinion.

Former players and other Cru supporters, what are your thoughts?

Welcome to the Boards, The Man.

I think a majority of the time, I'd rather watch paint dry than watch the CRU's offense.  I'm not a DC but I'm thinking I could devise a good enough plan to shut down their offensive with how predictable the play calling is.  Sure seemed like Hopkins got more pressure than teams have in the last few weeks---no audible?

Quote from: Ralph Turner on December 14, 2024, 05:05:34 PMWelcome to the Boards, The Man.

Thank you, Ralph.

I think Harmon said it best in the post game interview. They played sloppy in the first half. Coach can only take so much blame---don't blame this on Harmon.  Players got to understand they can't take a half off or half ass on their assignments.

Quote from: UMHB03 on December 14, 2024, 03:01:46 PMSolid improvement from the Crusader team this year, particularly toward the end of the season.

A couple of personnel priorities that they need to address if we are going to continue work our way back to the Stagg Bowl:

1. Go find some mean, nasty, road grading offensive linemen. The guys we had this year are big, but they are soft and get pushed around way too much for guys their size.

2. Scour the portal for some explosive WRs. UMHB has solid role players at the position, but it has been sorely missing guys who can score from anywhere on the field ever since KJ Miller and Aaron Sims left. Without the ability to score on big plays, the offense is forced to methodically drive the field, leaving little room for error, and they are still too undisciplined and mistake prone to do that consistently.

3. Find a stud QB (easier said than done, I know). Wright is not a bad player, but I'm also not convinced he is a championship caliber player. We don't currently have a King/Hammack/Jackson type player on this team, and we're not going to get over the hump without one.

Otherwise, they have a defense and RB stable that are capable of winning a championship. Make a few upgrades and I think the Crusaders will be a contender in 2025.

I'm going to agree and somewhat disagree on these.

1.) I actually think the O-Line was solid this season, we had no passing game and were running into an 8 man box half the time... that's going to make any offensive line in the country look worse.

2.) Obviously would love to have a KJ Miller out there but we've only had a few guys like that in the history of the program... we do have guys like AJ Williams who I believe to be probably the most talented wide out in the conference and maybe more, but again just can't get him the dang football. Same goes for our TE Gacayan, All-American potential if he had touches..

3.) Yes, I agree. This was probably the missing piece & likely the difference of playing in the Stagg Bowl. If ETBU can recruit a guy like Kaden Brown idk why we can't...