FB: American Southwest Conference

[DFWCrufan]

That is why I follow D3, players going out, putting their skill and talent in action for competition. Linfield coming to the Belton in my mind makes a statement about their program, they are willing to go big and this matchup will be replayed again next season of course, and possibly the end of this season (Still alot can happen, we lost to HSU....) UMHB said the same thing, let's go big and match Linfield.

I see the UMHB O line were the unsung heroes, they clicked and made things happen. Blake really showed he is taking his role serious and played a very very solid game. The Bryce show! are you kidding me! TJ, Wykeyhe, Duane, Markeith...great performances

The D Line...Tsunami warning, especially the Linebackers.

Riddle is a beast, the guy can drop a ball on a postage stamp at 40 yds and the receivers were very deceptive in their game. I got my moneys worth last night, great trip down, quickly met Pat (I didn't want to intrude, he was busy busy) and hung out with some players parents, we had a blast!

So Linfield will bring a industrial size can of Whopp AZZ  for the remaining season, I expect, if the Cru operate in the same vein they are now will do the same.

[Ralph Turner]

I went to bed with Haston Adams' rumbling return for a TD dancing through my head.  Good job, Cru! 

Here's an opportunity to relive:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cts8Ish1cA

Now, is there a better reason why linemen need to do windspints?  :-)

[crufootball]

Stumbled across something random today on the UMHB website, our entire 2017 football schedule. Obviously we hopefully have a long way to go but was shocked to see it already posted. While I know Coach Pete and the staff like the challenge of the non conference schedule life is sure easier when you only have to schedule one, of course that one next year will be Linfield. 

[GillCJ1]

Stumbled across something random today on the UMHB website, our entire 2017 football schedule. Obviously we hopefully have a long way to go but was shocked to see it already posted. While I know Coach Pete and the staff like the challenge of the non conference schedule life is sure easier when you only have to schedule one, of course that one next year will be Linfield.

Wow, good find.  It will be interesting to start facing Southwestern, too.  Georgetown is so close that it will make for a quick road game on those alternate years.

[HSUDAD]

Congratulations Cru!! Very impressive, not surprising though, sounds like all the pieces are in place for a deep run.

As for the cowboys, slow starts seems to be the thing right now, both of our first two opponents, we have had tough first halves.  The bright spot is whatever our coaches are doing at half time is working because or second half play is more like what we expect.   Defense has been great, fly to the ball and not afraid of contact.  I love it.  We did give up some passes against SWAGU, but that is uncharacteristic and no cause for alarm yet.   Offense definitely improved from week one which is all we can ask right now, continue to improve. 
As for this week, TLU comes to town and I for one am as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.  They are 0-3 with losses to the Cru, ETBU and Louisiana college.   Record does not reflect the team I am sure.   They are also backed way into a corner now and I'm sure their coaches are not letting them forget about the last second TD to give the cowboys the victory last year.  Would love to hear some input from the Cru nation on their thoughts concerning TLU.   

WeRideWeWin. 

[GillCJ1]

Yeah, I would not sleep on TLU despite their record.  I was a little surprised at their loss to Louisiana College, but they are a young team and going through some growing pains.  I imagine they'll get better as the season goes on.  3 losses has all but eliminated them from postseason contention, but that doesn't mean they'll just give up on the year.  Coach Padron is a competitor.  Of course, we all know that 'round here.

A few stats for their 2016 team.  They seem to favor the pass a little more than the rush, but otherwise pretty balanced in their attack.  It looks like they are averaging around 350 yards per game (while giving up about 550).  Barrolle is naturally their leading rusher (239 yards through 3 games), though it's important to note they have faced some good D.  The offense is 16-45 on 3rd down conversions.  I don't know what their average 3rd down yardage is looking like, but 35% speaks for itself (for reference, their opponents are converting nearly half of their 3rd down conversions).  Additionally, their QBs have been picked off 7 times and the team has lost 6 fumbles (compared to picking off opposing QBs twice and recovering 2 fumbles).

Yet, as far as I'm concerned, TLU is still a solid team.  Once they get into conference play (SCAC's swan song) they will undoubtedly pick up some wins.  The Cowboys should be wary, but should also pick up the W on Saturday.

If anyone spots discrepancies with the stats, please feel free to correct them.  I pulled them off the TLU site.

[wally_wabash]

Yeah, I would not sleep on TLU despite their record.  I was a little surprised at their loss to Louisiana College, but they are a young team and going through some growing pains.  I imagine they'll get better as the season goes on.  3 losses has all but eliminated them from postseason contention, but that doesn't mean they'll just give up on the year.  Coach Padron is a competitor.  Of course, we all know that 'round here.

Really no need to couch this with an all but- TLU is out.  Never ever has there been a 3-loss team make the tournament with an at-large invitation and 2016 isn't going to be the season when that trend gets bucked.  And if the three losses weren't enough all by themselves to eliminate TLU, which they very much are, carrying h2h losses with TLU's main competition for that Pool B spot is like a triple whammy.  Let's say that TLU beats Hardin-Simmons (which is clearly no given...the Cowboys are really good), the Bulldogs still need UMHB and ETBU to lose three or four times each in order to maybe level the playing field and offset those h2h results.  Those things just aren't realistic. 

So the rest of this year is basically a learning experience for TLU, then it's time to figure out how to get over in what looks like a super rugged ASC going forward. 

[GillCJ1]

Yeah.  It's not that I was trying to leave the door open for them, but eh... poor choice of words I suppose.  I do that a lot.  Thanks though.  I'm very interested to see how the ASC plays out in the coming years.

[DFWCrufan]

With TLU and Southwestern joining the ASC we would only have one open slot for non conference play. Leaves little breathing room going forward in the ASC, one non con match...everything else counts going forward, 2017 is going to become even more interesting.

[GillCJ1]

With TLU and Southwestern joining the ASC we would only have one open slot for non conference play.

Yep.  crufootball eluded to that in his last post about the 2017 schedule.  Of course, next year will be a doozy of a non-conference game.  Beyond that... who knows.

[Coolrey]

TLU plays very hard.  Padron and his staff have taken that program miles forward the past few years.  No, they are not at the level yet of UMHB which, like everyone else, loses very good players to graduation, but Fredenburg has the program in such a position that they simply reload every year. TLU had two strong senior classes the last two years and the result was the best 3 years that program has had in a very long time.  I contend that they were a better team than HSU last year, but not when it counted.  Another first round exit might have been the case against UMHB, but you never know.  Their current players will develop much like their former ones did.  I look for them to contend for the SCAC title again in their last year and then become a solid competitor in the ASC down the road.

[Hooyah Cowboys]

I contend that they were a better team than HSU last year, but not when it counted.

This is the second time I've seen you post this and can't help myself this time because this cracks me up. TLU was no doubt a good team last year but look at anything from last year (head-to-head, common opponents, stats, etc.) and it will absolutely point toward HSU clearly being the better team. Not that it matters anymore because it's a new season but I just can't see that being posted and not say my piece about it. It will be interesting to see TLU finally playing in a proper conference again next year.

Cowboy Up!!!
HSU Class of '05

[BlazeofGlory]

Scoreboard is installed, rug is going down at Belhaven. Will play ETBU on October 1 in new digs.

[GillCJ1]

Congrats, Blaze!  Hope to catch a game there as a visitor one of these days.

[Coolrey]

I contend that they were a better team than HSU last year, but not when it counted.

This is the second time I've seen you post this and can't help myself this time because this cracks me up. TLU was no doubt a good team last year but look at anything from last year (head-to-head, common opponents, stats, etc.) and it will absolutely point toward HSU clearly being the better team. Not that it matters anymore because it's a new season but I just can't see that being posted and not say my piece about it. It will be interesting to see TLU finally playing in a proper conference again next year.



Cowboy Up!!!
HSU Class of '05

I meant no disrespect and I should probably re-state my comment to say that I believe TLU was as good a team as HSU last year.  I figure if they had played each other 10 times, they could have very easily split.  I was simply attempting to make the point that TLU would have been a worthy playoff team just as HSU was.  This year is different for sure in that HSU is clearly playing better right now and it will be a challenge this week for TLU.  I fully expect TLU to rise to the occasion and give a great effort in Abilene.