FB: American Southwest Conference

[Bill McCabe]

A few thoughts on yesterdays game and the pistol.

1.  The defense was outstanding again.  As we've come to expect a championship caliber defense.  They are getting  better every game and dominating the opponent.

2.  The running game is still UMHB's strength.  384 yards rushing.  Wilson, Bailey, and  Hudson are excellent runners.

3.  500+ yards of offense sounds great.  But we only scored 3 offensive TDs and kicked 3 FGs.  The passing game from the pistol hurts our offense. It doesn't matter how many yards you gain if you don't score and turn the ball over.

4.  This is the lowest scoring team since 2002.  We have been over 30 points offensively once this season.

5.  As we have moved to a spread offense and this year to the pistol our offensive production has gone down.  Our TD to INT is terrible.  Supposedly the pistol was going to open things up for our wide receivers.  The only effective passing plays have been bubble screens and swing passes.  Every time we throw downfield out of the pocket I hold my breath.

6.  The number of TD passes has dropped greatly since going to the spread.  When we were in the I: 2003 16 TDs, 2004 29 TDs, 2005 21 TDs, 2007 23 TDs, 2008 23 TDs.  And then the move to the spread:  2009 17 TDs, 2010 17 TDs, 2011 3 TDs. 

I hope they junk this offense.  There are things we do really well offensively, but the pistol is not one of them and it does not take full advantage of our talent.

[CruFrenzy]

I agree that the offensive production isnt all there right now. But i dont know if its as bad as youre saying. UW Whitewater only scored 26 against the La Crosse team that we scored 27 on. We scored more on McMurry than anyone else has all year. We scored more on a Louisiana College defense than anyone else has all year. They had only allowed 7 offensive points to D3 opponents all year. So a lot of it has to do with the fact that we're playing some pretty stinking good defenses. And i still think that if LB can get it rolling this is the way to go. and i think he can.

[Toby Taff]

Bill,
I had to do some digging after your last post about the turnover situation in years past.

Over the first four games:

year	TOs	INTs	Opponents
2006	3	2	CNU, SRSU, TLU, McM
2007	7	2	CNU, SRSU, TLU, MCM
2008	3	0	So.Naz, TLU, McM, HSU
2009	9	2	So.Naz,TLU, McM, HSU
2010	7	5	UWLx, McM, HSU, LC
2001	11	9	UWLx, McM, HSU, LC

Notice two things. 1) UMHB give up a number of turn overs during the first four games most years. 2) Over the past 2 years, the talent level of the teams played early in the year has been higher than the 4 years previous. You also need to consider the number of times the Cru have put the ball on the ground, which I only counted for 2011 and the Cru has fumbled 12 times, but have covered most of them.

I'm not saying the pistol is the answer, I'm saying its not some demon set that is all of a sudden causing UMHB to be a lesser team. The Cru has thrown more INT's, but the teams played the last two years are as close to top tier ASC teams as we have.  Prior to that the Cru put up big numbers against the teams that have been perennial cellar dwellers. The only team in all six seasons is McM and we all know that they have improved vastly over the past 3 years.

[Bill McCabe]

Toby,  I haven't said anything about our turnover situation compared to the past.  I'm talking about interceptions and when they have been thrown.  I'm talking about an obvious change in philosophy.  We still run the ball better than we throw it.  9 interceptions is a lot against anyone.  The only reason McMurry got back into the game was because of an interception when we led 28-6 and a pick 6 when we led 28-13.  I can see the first interception, but the second came when we were in their end of the field.

My post earlier today was about the number of TD passes we threw prior to going to the pistol.  We were supposed to be moving to the new offense to make better use of our wide receivers.  When we have 20-26 TD passes in a year, I may be convinced.  By no statistic or in just watching the game is the Cru a better offensive team running the pistol.

How many near interceptions have there been this year?  I saw at least 4 yesterday and one would have been a TD if it weren't for us getting a false start.  We've lost 2 fumbles and one of those was when we were trying to pass.

[Toby Taff]

Toby,  I haven't said anything about our turnover situation compared to the past.  I'm talking about interceptions and when they have been thrown.  I'm talking about an obvious change in philosophy.  We still run the ball better than we throw it.  9 interceptions is a lot against anyone.  The only reason McMurry got back into the game was because of an interception when we led 28-6 and a pick 6 when we led 28-13.  I can see the first interception, but the second came when we were in their end of the field.

My post earlier today was about the number of TD passes we threw prior to going to the pistol.  We were supposed to be moving to the new offense to make better use of our wide receivers.  When we have 20-26 TD passes in a year, I may be convinced.  By no statistic or in just watching the game is the Cru a better offensive team running the pistol.

How many near interceptions have there been this year?  I saw at least 4 yesterday and one would have been a TD if it weren't for us getting a false start.  We've lost 2 fumbles and one of those was when we were trying to pass.

I'm not saying they are a better offensive team, I'm saying there is more to what has happened the last two years than the offensive change. I also think we have used the WRs better even without more TDs. Like you, I like the running game, and when it comes to playing inside the 20s, I want to see more running than passing, but I'm ok with working it down the field with the pass.

As for that almost pick 6, it wasn't one. The whistle blew before the snap because Davis moved and Davis didn't even move to make a play.

[Ralph Turner]

ARRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!  The Dallas Cowboys blow a big one!

[TxFight]

A result that no one seems to be talking about...ETBU records their first win in program history (and the last team in the ASC they had not beaten) with a 26-22 come from behind victory.  Hardin-Simmons had chances to put the Tigers away early and often, but the ETBU defense really buckled down holding HSU to FGs in some criticial situations. HSU kicked a FG on the 1st possession of the 2nd half and Im not sure they crossed the 50 after that.  Offensively ETBU looked the same as always in the 1st half with a big dropped TD pass and 2 big lost fumbles, but turned it around in the 2nd half by just pounding it down HSU's throat.  Was glad to see ETBU use Harris to his full potential and he responded with a HUGE 58 yard TD run in the 2nd half that sparked the comeback as well as some big runs to keep the chains moving.  I believe Harris ran it 15 times for 160 or so and Stover continued to be a workhorse going over the century and getting the go ahead TD run.  If the Tigers can play the rest of the year like they played that 2nd half then I really believe they can finish the year at 7-3.  That was the team I expected to see fro ETBU this year.

[Bill McCabe]

Toby, good point.  I'm not against the pass and I agree we should be running when we get close to the endzone.  I'm never going to be convinced this was a good move.  None of these players were recruited to run the pistol, including the most important one.  I think there is a lot of talent on the offense, I just don't think it is throwing out of a spread formation.  Overlooked in all of this discussion about the pistol is the Cru have another outstanding RB.  I have been very impressed with the defense and they are what will determine how far the Cru go this year.  We've got to cut down on turnovers.

[Toby Taff]

Toby, good point.  I'm not against the pass and I agree we should be running when we get close to the endzone.  I'm never going to be convinced this was a good move.  None of these players were recruited to run the pistol, including the most important one.  I think there is a lot of talent on the offense, I just don't think it is throwing out of a spread formation.  Overlooked in all of this discussion about the pistol is the Cru have another outstanding RB.  I have been very impressed with the defense and they are what will determine how far the Cru go this year.  We've got to cut down on turnovers.

I think they actually have 3, only one is injured. Wilson is a given, but I really like the look Elijah Hudson. I really wanted to see him in the first half Saturday. I also think this might be the best group of DB's we've had this early in the season

[CRUWORLD]

Txfight, congrats on the historical win. However these are not the Cowboys of old, I think that HSU may suffer as many as 3 more losses this year.

[crufootball]

Question for the LC folks, who was the group of fans that dressed up and walked up and down the stands at UMHB game? I like seeing that kind of devotion.

[Kelly Boggs]

Students. They have a name they call themselves, but it escapes me right now. They do the same thing at home games only with many more students participating. 

[crufootball]

Students. They have a name they call themselves, but it escapes me right now. They do the same thing at home games only with many more students participating.

Thanks Kelly, semeed like a fun group of guys. Also I was  impressed by the crowd that LC brought.

[Bulldog_fo_life]

Texas Lutheran wins again...

Next up McMurry at TLU...GO BULLDOGS!!!

[Ralph Turner]

Texas Lutheran wins again...

Next up McMurry at TLU...GO BULLDOGS!!!

I wish y'all had beaten Trinity!