FB: American Southwest Conference

[The Third Division]

As much as @CruFootball fans hate to see how this game played out, take note of the fact that in their entire program history, they have only lost by 30 point margins 3 times #d3fb

1998: Hardin-Simmons 9-56 (45pts)
2009: Linfield 21-53 (32pts)
2022: North Central 14-49 (35 pts)

The thing that intrigues me is that Harmon was a defensive coordinator for 20 something years under Fredenburg. How much crossover is there between a HC who has so much experience on a certain side of the ball and letting your actual DC do their job?

[Crubacker]

Are you suggesting Harmon wouldn't let Jack Johnson do his job and call the defense?  I never understood why Andy Padron, the OC is on the sideline.  He should be up in the box so he can see the defensive formation before signaling down the play to run.  I just know this defense has failed to put pressure on QB's pretty much all season and the secondary couldn't stop a middle school team from getting a first down.  When you consistently have teams in 3rd and long(12, 13 yards or more) and they are getting the first down------your defense ain't cutting it and why wait until halftime to make adjustments? 

I don't know what the situation was, who was calling the defense(was it Harmon or Johnson) but the weren't getting stops.  I'm sure this season has been an adjustment for all the coaches.  You have new coaches, some changed positions.  Harmon is not use to being on the sidelines, Johnson isn't use to calling the defense---------a lot of changes.  Fact is, players didn't get it done.  Was NCC 35 points better, today they were.  Lot of youth on UMHB defense.  If they don't want another butt whooping like that again, they better figure it out.

[The Third Division]

Are you suggesting Harmon wouldn't let Jack Johnson do his job and call the defense?  I never understood why Andy Padron, the OC is on the sideline.  He should be up in the box so he can see the defensive formation before signaling down the play to run.  I just know this defense has failed to put pressure on QB's pretty much all season and the secondary couldn't stop a middle school team from getting a first down.  When you consistently have teams in 3rd and long(12, 13 yards or more) and they are getting the first down------your defense ain't cutting it and why wait until halftime to make adjustments? 

I don't know what the situation was, who was calling the defense(was it Harmon or Johnson) but the weren't getting stops.  I'm sure this season has been an adjustment for all the coaches.  You have new coaches, some changed positions.  Harmon is not use to being on the sidelines, Johnson isn't use to calling the defense---------a lot of changes.  Fact is, players didn't get it done.  Was NCC 35 points better, today they were.  Lot of youth on UMHB defense.  If they don't want another butt whooping like that again, they better figure it out.

To me that all says that next year all the coaches will have a better time and that defense should be much improved. But offense will be losing lots of stars including Miller, King, Jordan, etc. But they've been in the championship scene for the last 7 years now and I have no doubt that whoever steps up on offense this year will make an impact.

but then that begs the question, what are teams people can think of where both sides of the ball were "on" years?

[CruFrenzy]

CruBacker, you absolutely hit the nail on the head regarding the pass rush this year, I believe while our linebackers are young and haven't filled out yet they were playing up to speed or very close to the speed of our championship caliber teams, look out for Durand Hill when he gains about 20 lbs... same can be said for our DB's. But yes the D Line specifically did not have our stud edge rushing talent that we have gotten so used to & NCC really took advantage of that today... we have a freshman (#42) that looks like he is going to be a stud but he's young and didn't play a whole lot.

So yea it will be interesting to see our coaching staff try and rebuild the defense to the level that has won us championships in the last 6 years.

As far as returners on offense we are returning most of the offensive line again (4 of 5), we're returning Kenneth Cormier Jr at RB (absolute stud) and also Romello Cook never played this year because of surgery on a broken finger should be back, he would've been a starter at WR this season. Obviously we need to find a QB with the departure of Kyle King but we definitely have something to build around..

Last thing, I am interested to see if we utilize the transfer portal (maybe even at QB?)... seems like we could really make some hay and land some big time players with the way they have it set up now.

Congrats Cru on a good season, lets go win it next year.

[Cowboy2]

My assessment fwiw:

Congrats UMHb on ANOTHER great season. You did well To make it to this point overcoming one of the strongest OOC schedules, very tough conference play, and the deadliest sub bracket of any quad a playoff team had to go through this year.

NCC was the better team today, but looking at comparable scores of the Wheaton games vs Bethel/NCC/Trinity, I feel this was a down game for UMHB based on common opponents. I felt the crew would win going into it. Not by a lot, but maybe 24-20 type of game...not the barn burner they displayed last stagg bowl vs NCC. I feel the First couple of series set the tone. Once UMHB found some mojo, they couldn't replicate it. I Didn't see much adjustments after the blocked FG, and they finally met their match on sure size and athletes this year. Outside of throwing to Jordan and the good play or Non call PIs, however one looks at it, makes one wonder how this game would have been had it been tied at halftime. I would have liked to see more runs to establish a ground game but NCC stuffed that and they became one dimensional having to pass. Their drop back let everyone run deep chunk plays didn't work. Similar to when HSU fell behind after the last couple minutes of the first half of that game early in the season.

This team was different than last year's. HSU had some early success, and HPU moved the ball well, but the CRU couldn't get their magic going. Outside of a few UWW drives and Trinity's nasty Defensive play , I don't think the CRUs offense met a defensive front like this all year. That was more so because the offense couldnt manage many sustainable drives. The defense was on the field all game and wore down.  Long story short, I wouldn't be surprised if NCC puts another beat down on MU next week like we saw today.

I know they lose the big three on offense in King Miller and Jordan. On Defense Parker Smith and Bowden.... But they should be deep and talented enough to rebound with a lot of young players. Outside of those - and the kicker, I suppose they make another strong push. Who knows with the Covid years anymore. Not sure how many HSU returns, I suppose a lot, but the cru had a lot of young defenders get their numbers called this year on defense, which will pay dividends next year. I know Trinity will basically return everyone and BSC/Berry/Centre should be very potent if not even better than 2022. Huntingdon will always be good and is only a strong class away from making noise. R3 looks to be (TX bracket at least) very potent next season.

Happy Holidays.

[Riley Zayas]

Great season from UMHB. Obviously not the way I (or anyone else on this side) anticipated it going, but that shouldn't take away from what this team and this senior class accomplished. Crazy to think that we will head into next season without guys like KJ, Kyle and Brandon...I began covering UMHB in the fall of 2020, so it has been really cool to see all three of them (notably Kyle) develop over their time with the Cru...certainly hope those three get some opportunities to continue their careers professionally. This senior class as a whole was really special.

UMHB will retain a lot of talent heading into next year...the Cru will be ready come 2023!

https://truetothecru.com/2022/12/10/north-central-ends-umhb-footballs-2022-season-in-49-14-loss-for-the-cru/

[CardinalAlum]

Great season from UMHB. Obviously not the way I (or anyone else on this side) anticipated it going, but that shouldn't take away from what this team and this senior class accomplished. Crazy to think that we will head into next season without guys like KJ, Kyle and Brandon...I began covering UMHB in the fall of 2020, so it has been really cool to see all three of them (notably Kyle) develop over their time with the Cru...certainly hope those three get some opportunities to continue their careers professionally. This senior class as a whole was really special.

UMHB will retain a lot of talent heading into next year...the Cru will be ready come 2023!

https://truetothecru.com/2022/12/10/north-central-ends-umhb-footballs-2022-season-in-49-14-loss-for-the-cru/

Great article and much respect to the Cru!  Played with class and really are a great team! King and Jordan were everything we expected to see. I was surprised we didn't see more of KJ Miller getting the ball but the flow of the game may have changed those plans.

[Next Man Up]

Don't know about other NCC'ers but going in, it seemed to me that UMHB was the scariest (is that a word?) team we would go up against. Much of that feeling was based on last year when the Cru looked like the biggest/toughest D3 team I'd ever seen. I expected more of the same this year. And, while I thought for a variety of reasons, that NCC would win, I never dreamed they would win by 35 points! I think anyone who says they did is telling a little, or more likely big, fib. 

[TheChucker]

Don't know about other NCC'ers but going in, it seemed to me that UMHB was the scariest (is that a word?) team we would go up against. Much of that feeling was based on last year when the Cru looked like the biggest/toughest D3 team I'd ever seen. I expected more of the same this year. And, while I thought for a variety of reasons, that NCC would win, I never dreamed they would win by 35 points! I think anyone who says they did is telling a little, or more likely big, fib. 

So, have we seen the end of the top dogs in D3 scheduling each other in non-conference play? It seems like the UMHB close road loss to UWW and the UWW road loss to SJU dogged both of those teams this year in ranking and ultimately playoff seeding. There didn't seem to be an upside to playing those games for a team with national aspirations. Fan enjoyment was a big plus, of course.

[crufootball]

Don't know about other NCC'ers but going in, it seemed to me that UMHB was the scariest (is that a word?) team we would go up against. Much of that feeling was based on last year when the Cru looked like the biggest/toughest D3 team I'd ever seen. I expected more of the same this year. And, while I thought for a variety of reasons, that NCC would win, I never dreamed they would win by 35 points! I think anyone who says they did is telling a little, or more likely big, fib. 

So, have we seen the end of the top dogs in D3 scheduling each other in non-conference play? It seems like the UMHB close road loss to UWW and the UWW road loss to SJU dogged both of those teams this year in ranking and ultimately playoff seeding. There didn't seem to be an upside to playing those games for a team with national aspirations. Fan enjoyment was a big plus, of course.

Prehaps although I am not convinced a majority of the reason most of those games happened was due to lack of options of people saying yes, especially in the case of UMHB. That is not to put us on a higher standard but to most teams we are most likely a loss and an expensive one the year you make the trip to Belton. With that said, massive props to Muhlenburg who not only played us but made the trip to Belton knowing their schedule didn't allow us to make the return trip.

[TheChucker]

Don't know about other NCC'ers but going in, it seemed to me that UMHB was the scariest (is that a word?) team we would go up against. Much of that feeling was based on last year when the Cru looked like the biggest/toughest D3 team I'd ever seen. I expected more of the same this year. And, while I thought for a variety of reasons, that NCC would win, I never dreamed they would win by 35 points! I think anyone who says they did is telling a little, or more likely big, fib. 

So, have we seen the end of the top dogs in D3 scheduling each other in non-conference play? It seems like the UMHB close road loss to UWW and the UWW road loss to SJU dogged both of those teams this year in ranking and ultimately playoff seeding. There didn't seem to be an upside to playing those games for a team with national aspirations. Fan enjoyment was a big plus, of course.

Prehaps although I am not convinced a majority of the reason most of those games happened was due to lack of options of people saying yes, especially in the case of UMHB. That is not to put us on a higher standard but to most teams we are most likely a loss and an expensive one the year you make the trip to Belton. With that said, massive props to Muhlenburg who not only played us but made the trip to Belton knowing their schedule didn't allow us to make the return trip.

Whitewater pulled 14,213 fans for the UMHB game. Hopefully they shared some of the gate to help defray travel costs?

[wally_wabash]

Don't know about other NCC'ers but going in, it seemed to me that UMHB was the scariest (is that a word?) team we would go up against. Much of that feeling was based on last year when the Cru looked like the biggest/toughest D3 team I'd ever seen. I expected more of the same this year. And, while I thought for a variety of reasons, that NCC would win, I never dreamed they would win by 35 points! I think anyone who says they did is telling a little, or more likely big, fib. 

So, have we seen the end of the top dogs in D3 scheduling each other in non-conference play? It seems like the UMHB close road loss to UWW and the UWW road loss to SJU dogged both of those teams this year in ranking and ultimately playoff seeding. There didn't seem to be an upside to playing those games for a team with national aspirations. Fan enjoyment was a big plus, of course.

UWW played at home with an 8-2 record, so I'm not sure their draw was really negatively impacted by losing to St. John's.  The SOS bump probably enhanced their position, if anything.  I was actually mildly surprised that UWW got a home game- the last 8-2 WIAC champion went on the road.  UMHB's losing at UWW did cost them at least one home game (2nd round), but that's also a game they probably should have won, no? 

The team that very notably did not play a big time non-con game is Mount Union.  Mount Union was directed to play their QF game on the road.  I think the committee properly rewarded the teams that played legitimately strong schedules with at-large invitations and home assignments to the extent that was reasonable.  I wouldn't at all say that those games were detrimental.  Maybe UMHB has a small regret? But I think they much more regret not punching that thing in from five inches away than playing the game in the first place. 

[crufootball]

Don't know about other NCC'ers but going in, it seemed to me that UMHB was the scariest (is that a word?) team we would go up against. Much of that feeling was based on last year when the Cru looked like the biggest/toughest D3 team I'd ever seen. I expected more of the same this year. And, while I thought for a variety of reasons, that NCC would win, I never dreamed they would win by 35 points! I think anyone who says they did is telling a little, or more likely big, fib. 

So, have we seen the end of the top dogs in D3 scheduling each other in non-conference play? It seems like the UMHB close road loss to UWW and the UWW road loss to SJU dogged both of those teams this year in ranking and ultimately playoff seeding. There didn't seem to be an upside to playing those games for a team with national aspirations. Fan enjoyment was a big plus, of course.

UWW played at home with an 8-2 record, so I'm not sure their draw was really negatively impacted by losing to St. John's.  The SOS bump probably enhanced their position, if anything.  I was actually mildly surprised that UWW got a home game- the last 8-2 WIAC champion went on the road.  UMHB's losing at UWW did cost them at least one home game (2nd round), but that's also a game they probably should have won, no? 

The team that very notably did not play a big time non-con game is Mount Union.  Mount Union was directed to play their QF game on the road.  I think the committee properly rewarded the teams that played legitimately strong schedules with at-large invitations and home assignments to the extent that was reasonable.  I wouldn't at all say that those games were detrimental.  Maybe UMHB has a small regret? But I think they much more regret not punching that thing in from five inches away than playing the game in the first place.

Do you think what happened to Mount Union will become the norm in the future? By numbers it absolutely made sense that they went on the road but we all were surprised for good reason that they went on the road.

[Pat Coleman]

I don't think we can count on anything being a norm since that committee changes so often. And that makes it unfortunate for coaches trying to read the tea leaves and schedule.

[wally_wabash]

Don't know about other NCC'ers but going in, it seemed to me that UMHB was the scariest (is that a word?) team we would go up against. Much of that feeling was based on last year when the Cru looked like the biggest/toughest D3 team I'd ever seen. I expected more of the same this year. And, while I thought for a variety of reasons, that NCC would win, I never dreamed they would win by 35 points! I think anyone who says they did is telling a little, or more likely big, fib. 

So, have we seen the end of the top dogs in D3 scheduling each other in non-conference play? It seems like the UMHB close road loss to UWW and the UWW road loss to SJU dogged both of those teams this year in ranking and ultimately playoff seeding. There didn't seem to be an upside to playing those games for a team with national aspirations. Fan enjoyment was a big plus, of course.

UWW played at home with an 8-2 record, so I'm not sure their draw was really negatively impacted by losing to St. John's.  The SOS bump probably enhanced their position, if anything.  I was actually mildly surprised that UWW got a home game- the last 8-2 WIAC champion went on the road.  UMHB's losing at UWW did cost them at least one home game (2nd round), but that's also a game they probably should have won, no? 

The team that very notably did not play a big time non-con game is Mount Union.  Mount Union was directed to play their QF game on the road.  I think the committee properly rewarded the teams that played legitimately strong schedules with at-large invitations and home assignments to the extent that was reasonable.  I wouldn't at all say that those games were detrimental.  Maybe UMHB has a small regret? But I think they much more regret not punching that thing in from five inches away than playing the game in the first place.

Do you think what happened to Mount Union will become the norm in the future? By numbers it absolutely made sense that they went on the road but we all were surprised for good reason that they went on the road.

Probably one of the more frustrating things for coaches and ADs is that what a committee does one year doesn't necessarily carry over to the next.  The always-rotating membership of the national committee means that you get different people applying the same criteria in a different way each year.  That makes it hard to plan for and target what exactly a team ought to do try and do with their non-con games to be in the best position to get invited (should the Pool A thing not work out) or host as many games as possible. 

That's the long way around to say- probably not.  Precedents have a hard time sticking with this committee, but at the very least it should get the attention of teams with serious December aspirations that they would do well to try to play good teams when they can.