FB: American Southwest Conference

BoBo · October 28, 2006, 05:28:14 PM

Quote from: BoBo on October 27, 2006, 07:56:27 PM
Quote from: Bill McCabe on October 27, 2006, 06:21:12 PM
I may have missed an earlier post, but does anybody have any thoughts on the keys to beating UWW?

Bill - Some of my keys to a UMHU victory

1. Getting off to a fast start. WW nearly always plays from the lead. Last week at UWP was the first time they trailed in a game (7-0 & for only 1 play), but it quickly turned into a 21-7 lead and the rout was on. When they get ahead, they'll step on your throat and not let up.

2. Keep the ball out of WR Derek Stanley's hands. Contain him after the catch. He is very fast, has outstanding leaping ability, though he is not tall in stature, and can easily turn a short route into a long gainer, usually a TD.

3. Control the clock. Keep WW's offense on the sidelines. WW defense is very good too, at least the front 7. The secondary is small at the corners and have shown to be vulnerable to the long pass.

4. Win the special team/field position battles. WW has a freshman placekicker who is very good (9 for 9 I believe in fieldgoals) and a very serviceable punter.

5. Play with poise - control penalities. WW takes advantage of other teams mental mistakes better than most teams I have seen.

I believe #4 on the list won this game for WW. To be more precise, WW's punter should be the game MVP. Plus, the holding penalty at the WW 4, prevented an OT game and a probable UMHB victory.

Kelly Boggs · October 28, 2006, 06:08:30 PM

The team that made the least mistakes won today. UMHB just made too many mistakes - way too many unforced errors, to be able to beat a quailty opponent like UWW.

UWW punter did a great job and kept UMHB in poor field position all game long.

UWW's defense is good. UMHB's defense is awesome. Whitewater never really threatened the whole game. The CRU will go as far as the "D" will take them.

Tough loss, however, if poll voters paid any attention, UMHB should not drop too many places. Also, if the powers that be in the regional rankings do likewise, the same should hold true.

umhbalum · October 28, 2006, 06:36:45 PM

How will this loss affect our regional rankings? It's not like we were blown out so I think we proved we are a top 5 team.

Kelly Boggs · October 28, 2006, 06:42:47 PM

I agree... we will just have to wait and see.

baddog · October 28, 2006, 07:14:14 PM

Yeah, polls can be crazy and can make no sense (at least to those who will differ).
SRSU sounded pretty tough early on (listened to HSU-SRSU at work). Glad HSU made the necessary adjustments.
It will be interesting to see how the UMHB (close) loss to #2 will also impact how HSU will be ranked and rated.
As UMHB-in-catland said -- we will see. $:-\$
Oh, one more thing -- congrats to ETBU. You beat "for real" Mississippi College! Way to hang in there and beat one of the ASC powerhouses!

Seriously, ETBU, keeping on playing hard with such a tough early season says a lot.

roocru · October 28, 2006, 07:56:36 PM

Just got back from the game. WOW!!!!!!!!! UWW won the first 20 seconds. UMHB won the other 59:40.

Seriously, great game. UMHB missed a couple of chances that you can't do against another great team. However you must take note that UWW is hanging their hat on one KO return for a TD as total yardage definitely favored UMHB. Saw first half stats on the field and UMHB had 95 yds. to UWW's 78. Final yardage was UMHB 204, UWW 120.

Talked to UWW head coach briefly after game, classy guy and very complimentary. Said games like this will only help D3 football in Texas get more recognition. Also want to shout out to U-dub-dub, footballfan413 and other UWW faithful that made the trip. Classy fans as well. They knew they had been in a ballgame.

Best part of all this was in the long run, it does not hurt that much. (I know seedings are affected, but it will not affect getting into playoffs and both sets of fans saw what D3 championship football in another part of the world looks like.) Hats off again to both teams for this masterful stroke of scheduling !!!!!!!!!

Will try to add other posts and notes later.

billybaroo · October 28, 2006, 09:09:00 PM

As I was thinking about this game I was wondering how odd it is for a defense to pitch a shutout and lose the game. It does happen I guess but still odd sounded like a great game I wish I could have been there. Just win the next two Cru and I believe you could go a long way in the play offs.

BoBo · October 28, 2006, 09:43:17 PM

roocru & others at the game - how would you characterize the mood of the CRU faithful at the game immediately following the kick-off return? I don't think I have ever listened/viewed a f-ball game with such outstanding D being played by both teams as there was today. A rematch in the playoffs is not entirely out of the question. Say they were to play again in the playoffs this year, what adjustments from this game might each team have to make to change the outcome (for UMHB, that is & besides turnovers & penalties)? The weather would be a major factor if there is a next time this year.

Gray Fox · October 28, 2006, 10:43:16 PM

Quote from: roocru on October 28, 2006, 07:56:36 PM
Just got back from the game. WOW!!!!!!!!! UWW won the first 20 seconds. UMHB won the other 59:40.

Seriously, great game. UMHB missed a couple of chances that you can't do against another great team. However you must take note that UWW is hanging their hat on one KO return for a TD as total yardage definitely favored UMHB. Saw first half stats on the field and UMHB had 95 yds. to UWW's 78. Final yardage was UMHB 204, UWW 120.

Talked to UWW head coach briefly after game, classy guy and very complimentary. Said games like this will only help D3 football in Texas get more recognition. Also want to shout out to U-dub-dub, footballfan413 and other UWW faithful that made the trip. Classy fans as well. They knew they had been in a ballgame.

Best part of all this was in the long run, it does not hurt that much. (I know seedings are affected, but it will not affect getting into playoffs and both sets of fans saw what D3 championship football in another part of the world looks like.) Hats off again to both teams for this masterful stroke of scheduling !!!!!!!!!

Will try to add other posts and notes later.

It was a great game for football purists who love defense. I was impressed at the large fan base in attendance on the home side. That side was full.

Quote from: BoBo on October 28, 2006, 09:43:17 PM
roocru & others at the game - how would you characterize the mood of the CRU faithful at the game immediately following the kick-off return? I don't think I have ever listened/viewed a f-ball game with such outstanding D being played by both teams as there was today. A rematch in the playoffs is not entirely out of the question. Say they were to play again in the playoffs this year, what adjustments from this game might each team have to make to change the outcome (for UMHB, that is & besides turnovers & penalties)? The weather would be a major factor if there is a next time this year.

They were somewhat down after the KO return, but since te whole game was left they weren't too concerned. The concern level rose quickly when #95, Kleppe, got two or three quick sacks.

Josh Bowerman · October 28, 2006, 10:49:47 PM

Sounds like the Crusader defense did what they do today. Tough loss, especially when the other team is held to a measly 120 yards of total offense.

Kinda makes you appreciate the 320+ yards of total offense HSU put up in their loss to UMHB all the more.

Toby Taff · October 28, 2006, 10:57:14 PM

Quote from: Josh Bowerman on October 28, 2006, 10:49:47 PM
Sounds like the Crusader defense did what they do today. Tough loss, especially when the other team is held to a measly 120 yards of total offense.

Kinda makes you appreciate the 320+ yards of total offense HSU put up in their loss to UMHB all the more.

What a homer

If the D keeps playing like that and they can minimize the goal line errors, this team is good enough to make a deep run.

I went to the HSU-SRSU game, and it looked close til the mid 2nd quarter, then HSU started to take over. After the half, I was standing near an SRSU supporter and he told me he couldn't believe HSU was winning because they weren't very good. 2 or 3 plays later it was 42-14.

Josh Bowerman · October 28, 2006, 10:59:52 PM

That's Sully for you, Toby. They've consistently been the best 1-9 team in the country, in their own eyes. Why should their perspective change now that they've won a few ball games? I mean, didn't they say the same thing about UMHB after they got beat by 43 points at home?

True, I may be a bit of a homer, but my point is that I think HSU has one of the most prolific offenses in the country--and to do that against what has to be one of the top two or three defensive squads in the country is, in my mind, an impressive accomplishment.

Of course, I'd have taken the 120 yards of total offense and the win any day!

crualum75 · October 28, 2006, 11:10:47 PM

Great game in Belton today. Both teams were very evenly matched and played fantastic defense. The DT #95 Ryan Kleppe was great all day. When he wasn't making a tackle he was definitely causing a disruption on the line. The punter for the Warhawks also did an outstanding job. I hope that UMHB can learn from the film, particularly on offense (oh and maybe on that return...it was a great run). I think the Cru will take the steps needed to learn from this game and improve. Hopefully these two great teams will meet again in the playoffs. Looks like if the Cru wins out it may be time for some more 'Road Dogs'. And Kubiak did a great job, and Kub I want the same thing for you this year that we came so close to achieving my senior year. You worked hard that year for your seniors. Keep getting those guys fired up to work that heard for you and the other seniors this year. The Cru, undoubtedly will grow and be ready to unleash on teams for the rest of the year. Go Cru!

Josh Bowerman · October 28, 2006, 11:13:47 PM

crualum75, I agree with you. I think that the loss in today's game means that UMHB will likely be at Trinity for the first round of the playoffs. If they win that game, and I'd be shocked if they didn't after having seen both teams play this year, my guess is that they host the winner of the HSU/fly-in game winner.

Toby Taff · October 28, 2006, 11:15:36 PM

Quote from: Josh Bowerman on October 28, 2006, 10:59:52 PM
That's Sully for you, Toby. They've consistently been the best 1-9 team in the country, in their own eyes. Why should their perspective change now that they've won a few ball games? I mean, didn't they say the same thing about UMHB after they got beat by 43 points at home?

True, I may be a bit of a homer, but my point is that I think HSU has one of the most prolific offenses in the country--and to do that against what has to be one of the top two or three defensive squads in the country is, in my mind, an impressive accomplishment.

Of course, I'd have taken the 120 yards of total offense and the win any day!

I'll take the 120, but I don't know about the win

The O looked good today for HSU. Sully had no answer for... well anyone! Jordan looked sharp. The run game was looking pretty good. Sully saw a lot of different looks. The D scares me though. They're a bit inconsistent and sully was able to hit some big plays in the passing game early and run it up the middle. If HSU doesn't fix the interior, the playoffs cold be painful.

I think Sully's QB is likely done. I don't know what the injury was, but when he got tackled, his knee**** the ground flat with his weight and the lineman on top. He came out on crutches after the half. The backup didn't look so good.

A positive for Sully, they have some youth, maybe this will be a turn around year for them.