FB: American Southwest Conference

[CruAlum90]

Tx Grad 69, Marvin Agnew is in the Lobo Hall of Fame, he's about as Lobo as they come, however, he's a Crusader in my book, he's a great guy.  Just wanted to clear that up with ya.  Headlinesman, I live in Downtown Dallas, trust me, the women and the work are both good.

[texgrad69]

Now how in the heck did I read New Mexico in your post.  They are also (as you know Lobos).  My Bad!!

[texgrad69]

PS, I'm going to let Marvin know that two people corrected me.  He'll probably appreciate the notoriety.  FYI, we fished together for the last 30 years.

[CruGuy]

Crualum90...i love your posts and i'm sorry it's taken so long for the heat from the first one to cool down so you could publish this one...you forgot to talk about the most improved facet of the cru offense this year though...the wr's...and what about that new wr coach?...he's alright huh ?

[finkle89]

Here is a great story about former McMurry Head Coach Steve Keenum and his some Case who is the starting QB for the University of Houston.  Case was named  the ESPN's Game Day National Player of the Week last week for his effort in last week.  The story was on the front page of the Sports section of the Houston Chronicle.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/justice/uh/5171484.html

Good to see Tarleton State, McMurry, Hardin-Simmons and Sul Ross State in an article in the Houston Chronicle. Congrats to the Keenum family.

[ASC02]

TOUCHDOWN CRU!!!

6-3 with 13:18 left in 2nd qtr.

Missed extra point.

[cheddar8314]

HPU 17 - SRSU 14 3rd

[proudmcmdad]

My son and I traveled to Belton today expecting a whuppin but wanting to see the team play. I was encourage by a couple of things.  First, about 150 fans in the stands on the visitor side, quite an improvement a few years ago when we had less than fifty for any away games.
Second, the team didn't get down when we misplayed the opening kickoff and MHB recovered.  The defense got a turnover (one of many in the 1st half) and the offense drove down and got a field goal.  McM led after the 1st qtr by 3 to nothing and kept it close until the last couple of minutes of the first half.

The defense played great in the first half, getting multiple turnovers to stop drives.  The heat and the size and depth of MHB wore them down late in the 2nd qtr. The offense struggled until late when the MHB reserves came in.  I think our QB did a good job in throwing the ball first and not scrambling out of the pocket and trying to make a play.  I don't know the exact turnover count, but we turned the ball over too many times to win against a powerfull MHB team.

I was a little peeved about how agressive MHB was late in the 3rd qtr with the game in hand and still throwing the ball on first down even with the 2nd team QB in the game.  I don't mind teams throwing the ball on 3rd down and long to make first downs but it appeared they were trying to insure (or improve) their #2 national ranking.  We have a playoff in D3, MHB can prove their ranking by running the table and finishing the year unbeaten, they don't need to run up the score.

Gray and his coaches had the team prepared and ready to play, then just got outmanned by a much deeper MHB team.  Hopefully, some of the current McM players and parents are lurkers on the website and will convince most of the players to stay with the program and finish out their 4 years. 

[Pat Coleman]

In the third quarter, with the backup quarterback? I don't think that's unreasonable. They need to develop that second-string quarterback at some point, somehow.

[Ralph Turner]

Way to go Maroon!

Good effort.  I was proud at how you kept coming back.  Just keep on building.

The schedule is a little easier.  I am looking forward to Homecoming. 

Hope to see you, Proud and finkel, there. 

[golden_dome]

Great game at MC tonight, both teams moved the ball up and down the field at will. One of those games where you expect the team with the ball last to win. Each offense was nearly flawless, the only turnover was an Adam Shaffer interception in the third that led to a 35-21 HSU lead. Shaffer was 21-29 for 305 and 4 TD's while Feaster was 30-45 for 495 and 5 TD's.

HSU just made a few key plays in tough situations and that was the difference. They converted a 4th & goal from the MC 15 for a score that tied the game 14-14 in the second quarter. In the third quarter, HSU converted a 3rd & 29 from the 40 for a touchdown to take a 28-21 lead. Then on the final drive, HSU converted a 2nd & 24 from the MC 44 for a 39 yard pass that set up the winning field goal.

HSU needed a near perfect offensive night to win and that's what they had. No turnovers despite ten tackles for loss from MC and five sacks. Feaster took several hits and they had opportunities to turn the ball over, but they didn't. MC had forced ten total turnovers entering the game and at least two in each game, but couldn't force the Cowboys into one.

I was very skeptical of HSU entering the game, in particular their quarterback situation. After getting a look at them I think Top 25 voters are certainly justified in keeping them ranked, they are still a Top 20 team in my opinion and could be higher by the end of the year. If their quarterback situation had been settled entering the season, their first two games could have been different. Their defense is not the same, but the offense will put up points on anybody. Justin Feaster made every play they needed to win and adds a running dimension when plays break down. Offensively, they still have plenty of talent and have not missed a beat.

After Mary Hardin-Baylor, they might still be the second best team in the south region. I doubt anyone else would have fared any better against LaCrosse and Linfield. Looking forward to their game against the Crusaders this weekend.

In defeat, I think MC showed they are getting much closer to the ASC's Big Two, we just have to get a big win to get over the hump. Tonight's game could have gone either way, just needed a big play defensively and couldn't get it. Hopefully we can win the next two to set up another big home game against UMHB.

[CruGuy]

Not that I necessarily agree with the decesion to throw when you're up by 40, but there are several things to consider.

First UMHB knows what's gonna happen when they run the ball. Especially when the defense is tired and worn down. I think it's almost an act of grace for UMHB to pass because they're far more efficient when they just run the ball.

Second UMHB is coming up on a tough spot in their schedule real soon when they're gonna have to face HSU, MC, and UW-WW in three out of four games. They need to be executing on all cylinders when they get to that point in the season.

Third, these back up quarterbacks are very young and inexperienced. You don't want to be in a situation where you're one dimensional if your starting qb goes down. Somebody else has to get some game time reps for the CRU both running and passing. Also, Josh Welsh will be done after this season and someone needs to be prepared to continue the Crusader's tradition next year.

Fourth, these qbs are paying to come and play football and they sit on the bench alot. When they get the opportunity shouldn't they be allowed to play football and show off their talent and try to prove to the coaches that they should be the back up, or starter come next year.

Alot of people will also talk about the need to run up the score for national recognition, or earn stats for national awards. I don't think that these things are that important, and I don't think that the UMHB coaches care that much about them either, but they have been burned in the past and are now very wary about taking anyone lightly. They want to use these games to prepare themselves to be the best team on the feild every week from now til New Years.

Every year about this time we start getting into discussions about UMHB or HSU running up the score. Who decides what is and what is not running up the score?
I'm not sure but UMHB has scored 84 second quarter points and 76 third quarter points and only 20 fourth quarter points this year. They've also allowed 29 pointrs in the fourth quarter while only allowing 23 points in the first three. If you're going to start a post talking about how McM looked to be a competitive oppenent against UMHB you shouldn't be upset when they treat you like one.

[baddog]

Running up the score often depends on whose ox is being gored.
Many years ago, Sully complained about McM's 1st team QB Braxton Shaver being left in the game and still gunning in the 4th Q with a 4 TD lead.

[Josh Bowerman]

Thanks for your report, Chris.

[kickhoe]

A good win for HSU.....it sounds like the offense moved the ball very well and Justin Feaster played great.  No turnovers!!!  Great game!!!

Defense still sounds a little suspect.  Giving up 442 yards.  Better than the previous games.

Next weekend is the big test!!! 

Go Cowboys!!!