FB: American Southwest Conference

[cover2]

Regarding the kickoff they called a toucback....another blown call.  That ball was touched before rolling back to the end zone.  That definitely should have been a safety, just missed it.  That same headlinesman was the culprit on both of those bad calls, not to mention he was waiting for the receivers group to do their celebration on the sideline and made up a bogus sideline warning call.  Ridiculous!

[CalCat]

So Linfield scored 14 points in the first half, not including the pick 6, and 6 points in the second half.

The HSU defense played well in the second half and kept Linfield's O out of the end-zone. I think this bodes well for The Cru.

Nnoli ran for less than 30 yards against us, and although they are starting a new QB, is he better than the guy they've had the last few years? I remember we did pretty well against that guy and their defense last year.

While somewhat of a close game, I believe our D to be too big and too fast to give up too many points.

I agree with you 2001...Nnoli only got 30 yards and that was at the friendly Catdome and our QB is a freshman not near the experience of Riddle...and the Cru D is way bigger and faster than any other D probably ever in D3...so l don't think the Cru has much to worry about. The Oregon boys will show up and do their best to try and stay in it for a couple of quarters. We all watching the game today felt like HSU wasn't playing at the level they were when you guys played them and we really struggled like you pointed out in that second half but after us l think St. Thomas might pose a problem...maybe Cru staff can use some of this week to work on St. Thomas.

[wildcat11]

So Linfield scored 14 points in the first half, not including the pick 6, and 6 points in the second half.

The HSU defense played well in the second half and kept Linfield's O out of the end-zone. I think this bodes well for The Cru.

Nnoli ran for less than 30 yards against us, and although they are starting a new QB, is he better than the guy they've had the last few years? I remember we did pretty well against that guy and their defense last year.

While somewhat of a close game, I believe our D to be too big and too fast to give up too many points.

I agree with you 2001...Nnoli only got 30 yards and that was at the friendly Catdome and our QB is a freshman not near the experience of Riddle...and the Cru D is way bigger and faster than any other D probably ever in D3...so l don't think the Cru has much to worry about. The Oregon boys will show up and do their best to try and stay in it for a couple of quarters. We all watching the game today felt like HSU wasn't playing at the level they were when you guys played them and we really struggled like you pointed out in that second half but after us l think St. Thomas might pose a problem...maybe Cru staff can use some of this week to work on St. Thomas.

I agree.  Nothing for UMHB to even concern themselves with this next weekend.  Hell, who knows if we'll even be able to fill a full roster with the injuries we've had.

[Kelly Boggs]

You Linfield fans can poor mouth your Cats all day long, but I/we know better. Linfield is very well coached and playing some very good football right now - as good as anyone in D3. Nothing but respect for Coach Smith. Young Wyatt is playing very well and very poised. He seems to have been the piece of the puzzle that had been missing for Linfield this season. The Cats will be more than ready to play. Additionally, it is very hard to beat a good team twice in the same season, so UMHB has its work cut for it. To me, the game is a toss-up.

My concern is UMHB's running game. It has just not really been "there" (i.e. consistent) all season long. If we can't run the ball against Linfield - and it will be tough against the Cats D - it could well be a long day at Crusader Stadium. Additionally, CR3, UMHB's freshman QB will have to rise to the occasion if The CRU is going to have a chance of winning. It will be vital to have his athleticism and running ability on the field.

In many respects, Linfield and UMHB are mirror images of one another this year. There are a lot of similarities.

I felt LC was going to beat HSU and said so in conversations throughout the week. It just appeared to me that Linfield had been playing better ball as the season went on. As I stated in a previous post, HSU's performance seemed to deteriorate each week as the season progressed. It was like the Cowboys peaked in week 5. It also seemed like the loss to UMHB really affected HSU.

Safe travels to the Linfield faithful. It should be another good one in Belton next Saturday.

[miac952]

Regarding the kickoff they called a toucback....another blown call.  That ball was touched before rolling back to the end zone.  That definitely should have been a safety, just missed it.  That same headlinesman was the culprit on both of those bad calls, not to mention he was waiting for the receivers group to do their celebration on the sideline and made up a bogus sideline warning call.  Ridiculous!

I'll preface this by saying I did not see the play in question, but it sounds like a momentum of the kick ruling. If the receiving team touches a ball prior to the end zone but the ball's momentum carries into the end zone, that should be called a touchback, as long is it is recovered by the receiving team. Weird rule, but I have seen it applied a number of times on kickoffs and punts.

[umhb2001]

http://www.tdtnews.com/sports/article_d7d29eec-cce1-11e7-a1a8-47c784045651.html

You are right, Linfield fans, what was I thinking having confidence in my team. We should just start our JV this week and plan for next season.

[Kelly Boggs]

miac952,

I understand the rule you reference.

I don't know if the ball touched the player or not. It looked like it may have. With that said, the player went into the end zone and attempted to run the ball out - the whistle did not blow until he was tackled in the end zone. If the officials had deemed he had touched the ball in the field of play and then the momentum carried into the end zone, shouldn't the refs have blown the play dead and called it a touchback? It would also seem the refs could have explained their ruling, which they did not. In the end, none of this really matters, just curious.

[jamtod]

miac952,

I understand the rule you reference.

I don't know if the ball touched the player or not. It looked like it may have. With that said, the player went into the end zone and attempted to run the ball out - the whistle did not blow until he was tackled in the end zone. If the officials had deemed he had touched the ball in the field of play and then the momentum carried into the end zone, shouldn't the refs have blown the play dead and called it a touchback? It would also seem the refs could have explained their ruling, which they did not. In the end, none of this really matters, just curious.

I've seen several of the same rulings that miac952 has I imagine (one in the 2015 St Thomas - Linfield semifinal game). The returner can still go back to the endzone and attempt to bring it out (or down it for a touchback) so there is no need for the play to be blown dead until he is tackled.

[jamtod]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZOq9xu1nwc

Go to 1:15:50. Was ruled a touchback.

[DFWCrufan]

To me, with the exception of UMU the next two games for either of these programs IS the playoff brackets. Look you have a possible  UMHB or Linfield who will face St. Thomas next round, don't tell me that is not the cream of the crop in DIII football facing each other. So either way, this is going to be some of the most incredible play we are going to see.
Sure we all want our prospective programs to move on, but we cannot deny that this IS what makes our programs tops in the nation in reference to DIII.

[miac952]

miac952,

I understand the rule you reference.

I don't know if the ball touched the player or not. It looked like it may have. With that said, the player went into the end zone and attempted to run the ball out - the whistle did not blow until he was tackled in the end zone. If the officials had deemed he had touched the ball in the field of play and then the momentum carried into the end zone, shouldn't the refs have blown the play dead and called it a touchback? It would also seem the refs could have explained their ruling, which they did not. In the end, none of this really matters, just curious.

I've seen several of the same rulings that miac952 has I imagine (one in the 2015 St Thomas - Linfield semifinal game). The returner can still go back to the endzone and attempt to bring it out (or down it for a touchback) so there is no need for the play to be blown dead until he is tackled.

Yes. Jabrill Peppers had a punt in the Michigan @ Gopher game in 2015. He attempted to field it at the 4 yard line. The ball bounced into end zone after his touch. He tries to then take it, but was tackled. The crowd was beside themselves, because of the oddity of the rule.

Interceptions are also in this rule from the 5 & in.

[GLAD2BCOWBOY]

IMO, HSU's performance progressively deteriorated as the season progressed. It is liked they peaked in week four. The Cowboys had tough games with TLU and Southwestern and only scored 28 points against McMurry in the regular season final.

I completely agree. The offense struggled in the back half of the season. In hindsight losing wr Bell and inexperienced QB hurt them.  HSU can't seem to get to the next level and win some playoff games   Expecting the. Coaching staff to make the appropriate adjustments and get these guys there . IMO the QB must be dual threat to beat teams like UMHB based on their defense scheme. HSU needs to make adjustments from here. Good luck CRU.

[CalCat]

http://www.tdtnews.com/sports/article_d7d29eec-cce1-11e7-a1a8-47c784045651.html

You are right, Linfield fans, what was I thinking having confidence in my team. We should just start our JV this week and plan for next season.

We were just agreeing with you 2001 and understand what we are up agaist and certainly understand the confidence you have and should have as the defending champs and #1 ranked team...that said on behalf of the Cats l respectively decline your offer to play your JV team...our guys prefer to go against your best no matter the odds...the challenge of playing the best is okay with our guys.

[GillCJ1]

Solid opening round victory, Cru.  The strength of the Panthers team was, in my mind, their kicking game.  That ball just sailed when they had the wind to their backs.  Unfortunately for them, we have Bryce Wilkerson.  And on that note, congrats to him on breaking the ASC record for kick returns for TDs!

One comment about the game.  Sideline warning for the guys celebrating, really?  Come on.  They've done it all year long.  It has zero impact on the game on the field.  Let the boys enjoy it.

An old familiar foe is next.  With as many times as the Cru and 'Cats have played recently, it's really starting to feel like another conference game.  Right now the weather is calling for another warm, sunny day.  Welcome to late fall in Central Texas!

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Forget all of the bracket talk,  Our boys will play anyone anywhere.

Should be a dandy !!

GHC