FB: American Southwest Conference

[Bill McCabe]

Ralph,  UMHB made their run to the Stagg bowl last year because of their offensive line.  They took control  in all 5 playoff games.  They totally manhandled the Washington and Jefferson line.  Not only were they big, but they were much faster than the opponents.  I think the same would have been true if Hardin Simmons had gone on in the playoffs.  Speed was the biggest factor.  I think that is where the weaker teams fall off.  Many of the teams in the ASC could not match UMHB or HSU's speed.

[Ralph Turner]

Congratulations to the McMurry Offensive Line!  Team of the Week!

http://www.d3football.com/tow/

[Ron Boerger]

ASC Players of the week:

Offense - Ty Sellers, QB, Sr., McMurry University

In his McMurry debut since transferring from a NCAA Division II program, quarterback Ty Sellers (Brownfield, Texas/Brownfield HS/Oklahoma Panhandle State) accounted for 247 yards of total offense and was responsible for four touchdowns in leading the Indians to a 40-30 home win vs. Menlo. Sellers threw for three touchdowns and 191 yards (11-of-23), and ran for a fourth score and 56 yards.

Defense - Will Galusha, CB, Jr., Hardin-Simmons University

Hardin-Simmons cornerback Will Galusha (Abilene, Texas/Cooper HS) tallied 11 total tackles, including 10 solo stops, in the Cowboy's 38-12 win at #-/32 Wisconsin-Stevens Point (Sept. 3). Galusha's efforts helped HSU limit the pass-happy Pointers and QB Brett Borchart to 186 aerial yards.

Special Teams - Clint Rushing, P, Jr., Austin College

Austin College punter Clint Rushing (Spring, Texas/Klein HS) averaged 44.5 yards a punt to help the 'Roos win the field position battle in their season-opening 14-3 loss to #11/14-ranked Trinity (Sept. 3). Rushing totaled 267 yards over six punts, sending one for 56 yards--all in the air--for the longest punt in the ASC's five opening weekend games.  [not to mention drawing at least two roughing/running into the kicker penalties...]

[Spirit_of_66]

How can you guys honestly think that Sul Ross will beat Southwestern Assemblies of God at SWAGU. The Lions racked up 573 yards rushing against Principia College and racked up an incredible 802 yards of total offense. SWAGU has the NAIA's national reception leader in Josh Johnson, who also was a second team NAIA All-American. I know that Principia is no great power, but they are a DIII school in a conference (Upper Midwest Athletic Conference). The Lobos have won nine game in their last six years. Nine. Two each against, Austin, McMurry and TLU. Please. During that same span, SWAGU also recorded nine wins. They have met twice and SRSU does lead the series, but those were games in 1997 and 1998. I think the Lobos will lose. I will give the lobos the fact that they have Barber, but come on what else. This is a game of two bad teams, period.

Speaking of the inability to be great. How about the fact that Sul Ross have its 17-game and 19-game losing streaks snapped with wins over McMurry both times, under the direction of Keenum, who started the 19-game streak as the SRSU coach and then lost to them to snap it. Nice.

I am not a fan of either school, just trying to relay a point that ASC teams are not always the best.

[Bill McCabe]

A team that gives up 80+ points and 802 yards can't be very good.  I think Sul Ross stands a pretty good chance against SWAG.

[wildcat11]

Bill,

That offensive line of UMHB you talked about is the reason why the Cru is going to push Willamette all over the field this Saturday.  I have the Cru as a 3-4 TD favorite at this point.

[Bill McCabe]

wildcat11, Hope you are right.  I saw on the UMHB website that they have posted the 2 deep depth chart.  I would love to see the game this weekend.

[jmnaseum]

I hope all ASC teams win in their non-conference games!  SR will beat SWAGU ,
TLU will beat Trinity , UMHB will beat Williamette and HPU will beat Wisconsin-LaCrosse.

roocru -- why is my Karma so bad?  (should i say AC will beat SR  )

[Spirit_of_66]

Two teams that have averaged 1.5 wins a year, what makes Sully better? Tell me. I would like to know. Don't tell me SUL ROSS STATE FOOTBALL RULES! What is that? Be real. Use logic.

[Ron Boerger]

Two teams that have averaged 1.5 wins a year, what makes Sully better? Tell me. I would like to know. Don't tell me SUL ROSS STATE FOOTBALL RULES! What is that? Be real. Use logic.

We're talking D3 (ok, NAIA in the case of SAGU) here.  I doubt anyone here has seen SAGU play, and not that many have seen Sully.  The Lobos seemed to be on an upswing late last season, and the only game SAGU won last year was a similar whitewash against Principia, usually one of the worst teams in all of college football.  How they recruit is beyond me, bless the kids that are trying their best. 

People are going with their gut and given that this is an ASC board, many hope that Sully can represent and get the win. FWIW I'm not one of them, but it wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong. 

[SRLobo51]

I'll make a prediction that Sul Ross will be 1-0 after this week.

You're right they have won an average of 1.5 games in the past few years, but this is a much improved team.

They have some new faces that should help out quite a bit. Now I'm not saying that they will go out and win conference (this year) but, they will be a big surprise to most of the teams. Barber & Check will be better this year with more experience under their belts, and they have a defense full of guys who have talent and love to hit people.

I would be surprised if they didn't finish the season 5-5 or better, making it easier to field an even better team for next year.

Go Lobos  31-14

[dballa]

Judging by the way they looked in the scrimmage against HPU the only part of the SAGU team that looked good was their offensive line.  Other than that they really didn't have much at all.  SRSU shouldn't have any problem with them at all.

[sethhpu]

When HPU scrimmaged SAGU not much of SAGU was impressive. Sul Ross shouldn't have a problem handling SAGU. The scrimmage though may have woke SAGU up. But I'll say Sul Ross by 2 touchdowns at least.

[baddog]

Spirit . . .66 -- I don't read anywhere here that anyone suggested ASC teams are always best/better/whatever. The issue was/is SRSU vs. SWAG.
SRSU had a pretty tough season last year, but they had a bunch of FR's and, I understand, most/many of them are back. They were pretty doggone athletic last year, but young -- and their record was the result. Like others, I look for SRSU to be greatly improved as will many other ASC teams.
SRSU and SWAG may have similar w-l records, but when one considers the general level of competition against which those records were played and the average point spread against teams of similar quality, a significant edge is given to the Lobos.
Anything can happen, but my money (if I had any) would be on SRSU and I'd be giving SWAG several points. Of course, as the old saying goes, "a fool and his money . . ."

[Spirit_of_66]

Spirit . . .66 -- I don't read anywhere here that anyone suggested ASC teams are always best/better/whatever. The issue was/is SRSU vs. SWAG.
SRSU had a pretty tough season last year, but they had a bunch of FR's and, I understand, most/many of them are back. They were pretty doggone athletic last year, but young -- and their record was the result. Like others, I look for SRSU to be greatly improved as will many other ASC teams.
SRSU and SWAG may have similar w-l records, but when one considers the general level of competition against which those records were played and the average point spread against teams of similar quality, a significant edge is given to the Lobos.
Anything can happen, but my money (if I had any) would be on SRSU and I'd be giving SWAG several points. Of course, as the old saying goes, "a fool and his money . . ."

Points taken, but seriously they are both bad. Correct me if I am wrong, the last time Sul Ross had a winning record was 1996. I realize that SWAGU began as a program in 1996, but neither team has been impressive. You talk about a more impressive schedule for Sul Ross. SWAGU played four teams nationally ranked in the top 25. SRSU played three right? Those of you that know and remember the TIAA/NAIA that our NAIA brethren back then were just as good if not better than DIII.

I am a TIAA/ASC guy, all I am saying is that I have absolutely no faith in Sul Ross winning a single game. Five seniors and eight juniors. I am excited. Maybe next year, but 2005 is not the year of the Lobo. Make me eat crow, but AC, McM and SRSU will fight for last.

Both teams are bad, but I am giving the edge to the home team in this one ... Lions 26, Lobos 21