FB: American Southwest Conference

[roocru]

Just got in from UMHB game with a few quick thoughts:

1)  Great special teams from UMHB
2)  When defense forces turnovers, offense seems to light up and explode
3)  UMHB has three excellent backs - Thrasher is a bull with speed, Daniels is not just a real fast back but can run strong as well, Owens is toughest back and reminds me of Justin Bryson with a hair less speed
4)  Passing attack is better and more varied
5)  You still have to stop the option!!
6)  Defense is extremely fast although secondary has players in new positions and must (and I believe will) play better as the season progresses
7)  Cru still has great pass rush and LB Henri is a force as well as Freeman
8 ) First game jitters caused too many penalties.  Must fix this.  Without the penalties it would have been even more lopsided.

Just my quick thoughts before going to bed.  Feel free to add to or argue.

[yessir]

Agreed.....I think alot of players stepped up for the CRU tonight. I was seeing some new faces make some big plays. This season is going to be fun....

[yessir]

I was also impressed with the second and third teams tonight. The second team oline stepped in late in the 2nd and took the ball down the field and scored. It's good to know that we have some talented reserves. The 6'7 wide recieves is definately going to cause some match up problems. To bad he hasn't been playing football for all of his career at UMHB.

[Toby Taff]

I said this while reporting on the game, but oliver looks like PJ Williams in uniform.  Both strange and refreshing to see a tall & lanky #11 on the field.

[Kelly Boggs]

Does the NWC have an automatic bid now? If so, while the Linfileld v. HSU is big for both teams (no one wants to start 0-2), I think it is bigger for the Cowboys.

If HSU loses, it is likely their hopes for the playoffs are over. In order to make the post season they would have to win the ASC, which looks very unlikely the way UMHB came out of the blocks agains CNU. The CRU looks to be on par with,if not better than, the 2004 team that went to the Stagg and right now it seems that HSU is a little down from previous years (of course only time and games will reveal if this is true). So, the Linfield game is definite must win for the Cowboys.

It goes without saying that Linfield will want to beat HSU. However, if the NWC  has the auto bid, then a loss will not be devastating. Win or lose, I think the Cats take the NWC and return to the playoffs.

Even without the auto bid, the game is still a bit bigger for HSU. Again, I think a loss means they stay at home come playoff time. I will be shocked if Linfield does not win the NWC.

Afte listening to the HSU/W-LAX game and watching (via video feed) the 2nd half of the Linfield/WOU game, I predict a shoot-out at the Cat Dome.

It is a very long trip to McMinnville, Oregon from anywhere in Texas. I have flown it many times. While the Cowboys will welcome the cool temps, Linfield is tough at home. A packed Cat Dome gives the Cats a definite edge. Should be a fun one to watch. I will be listening in.

Any HSU fans making the trip? I can offer some tips on where to stay and/or eat. You will also find the vast majority of Cat fans to be wonderful hosts. Your in for a great experience at the Cat Dome. The many Cat fans on the NWC board  are more than willing to offer all sorts of local info.

[Ralph Turner]

The NWC is still Pool B for 2007.

The USA South is Pool A.  I don't think that a 3-loss HSU gets the Pool C bid.

Linfield caught some slack with Whitworth's loss to Redlands.

[warped]

for any one who was at the cnu - umhb game how did the 6'7 reciever for the cru look?

.......big win for the cru after a shaky start.

[Toby Taff]

He had 2 tds.  His first collegiate catch reulted in 6 pts.  He looked pretty good from what I saw, but I wasn't really watching him close.

[Just_that_kid]

Half time at Millsaps vs LC and the Majors are up 24-3.

The Wildcats did not look good at all in the first half - sloppy play and turnovers. Three of Millsaps scoring "drives" began inside the LC 30.

Neither team was very impressive.  Not much speed on either squad.

MC had that same "sloppy play and turnovers" during the first half against Millsaps, too. Perhaps it isn't bad offenses that are causing the problem.
Not sure if you've seen either team, but speed is something that is far from lacking on that defense for Millsaps.
Just a thought. Good luck the the ASC this season!

[yessir]

I think the fact that it was UMHB"s first game and CNU's second, the sloppy play by the CRU was expected. Ecspecially with the amount of young guys that played. I'm pretty sure if you had a UMHB jersey on yesturday, you played. For alot of guys this was their first college game. Also, the offense is running a really different system than the previous years, which was evident if you were at the game.  There were seveal non-football playing fans in the stands that didn't quite understand the amount of mistakes that were made. For anyone who's ever played football, or coached football, you know the improvements that a team, as well as an individual,  makes between the first and the second game. Playing football is not like riding a bike, it takes a little while to get back in the groove. No matter how much you practice, a game situation cannot be simulated. P.O., the 6'7 reciever did very well. He will definately help the CRU this year.  The defense is stacked, Freeman and Henri are probably the pair of linebackers in D3, or the nation. Only thing that worries me is the deep ball. Several times yesturday, if CNU could of made the throw, it would of been six.  The CRU defense plays so aggresive that alot of times the corners are on an island.  Therefore, making them suspect to the deep ball. But if the opposing QB, doesn't have time to throw the ball then that won't be an issue. Should be a very interesting season, I can't wait.......

[D O.C.]

Yessir, what's the symbolism of the ring you mentioned?

[Ralph Turner]

McMurry 41, Austin College 35

Plusses for McMurry --

Team speed in the skill positions.

Speed on the Kickoff coverage team.  We saw lots of good hits on special teams.  Burt Green is an excellent punter.

Had a great environment last night:  New scoreboard with a 9' by 12' video screen that looks great.  It had its "maiden" voyage, and we could see the potential that the programming provides.  Good student body response and band sounded even better this year.

What to work on...

PAT's -- the final score should have been 45-35, leaving little doubt at the end.

Penalties -- of all types.  If you think that you are so important that you want to risk any post-TD celebratory activity, then you may be asking your friends on the special teams to be kicking off from the 15 and the defensive team to start at mid-field.  C'mon, you have never scored a TD, not even in PeeWee football?  Well, if the other team comes back and scores the next series, then your TD was for nothing!  20 penalties for 172 yds?  There is no excuse for that!  Holdings, personal fouls, false starts...on and on!  UMHB had 15 penalties for 130 yds, but we are not that good at this time.

Passing game -- the QB and receivers don't have it down just yet.  Lewis has incredible speed and is very dangerous when he scrambles.  The 10-15 yard pattern is still tough.

[yessir]

What post are you refering to....

[Ralph Turner]

The AC-McMurry game was the 66th in a series which began in 1935.  AC leads the series, 34 games to 30 games with 2 ties.  Only the 69 games versus HPU (beginning in 1927) and 77 games versus SRSU (beginning in 1923) are more than the AC series for McMurry.

[D O.C.]

I have the ring that proves who won that matchup.