FB: American Southwest Conference

[DPU3619]

I think, however, unless they split the carries down the middle with someone else nearly as talented, he will have a hard time matching last year's per-carry average. I doubt UMHB could let him carry just 15 times a game next season without a lot of help behind him.

Agreed.  If he's the true feature back this season, then you're talking at least 300 carries, if not more, in that offense.  That's a lot of work.  He's gonna wear down.  Not to say that he won't still have a fantastic year, but 8 ypc is a lot.  Unless, as you said, they're again going 50/50 on the workload.  I find it particularly remarkable that Thrasher had 212 carries last season and Daniels had 211.

Daniels wasn't even the one who went for "over 8 yards per carry" last season.   Thrasher went for 9 and Daniels went for 7.4.

[Pat Coleman]

And if he carries 300 times and still has more than 8 yards a carry then we're talking player of the year numbers.

[Toby Taff]

Can we quote you on that in December , if he goes 8yds/carry?

[Pat Coleman]

Sure, if he goes for 2,400 yards this season they will be player of the year numbers, just like they were for Justin Beaver.

[Ralph Turner]

New facility at LaCollege

[Toby Taff]

Nice.  Now if we can get UMHB to do the same....

[Bill McCabe]

If he carries 300 times, I hope it is because he has played in 15 games.  That is a lot of carries.

[Ron Boerger]

http://www.ascsports.org/News/football/2008/7/28/ASC_FOOTBALL_PRESEASON08.asp?path=football

ASC Preseason Football Poll/Awards Announced

RICHARDSON, Texas –– The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has been predicted to win its fourth straight American Southwest Conference football title after a vote by the league's head coaches, sports information directors and selected media members, the ASC office announced on Monday (July 28). Earning preseason player of the year honors were Mississippi College's Adam Shaffer, UMHB's Eric Henri and East Texas Baptist University's Kyle Pope.

Mary Hardin-Baylor, which went 12-2 overall (8-0 in ASC) and reached the national semifinals of the NCAA Division III playoffs last season, totaled 240 points – the highest amount in the annual poll's history – and collected 24 of the possible 27 first-place votes. Head coach Pete Fredenburg's Cru has won at least a share of the ASC title in five of the last six seasons, going 48-3 over that time frame in conference games. UMHB also holds a 21-game winning streak against league opponents.

Hardin-Simmons University and Mississippi College, which tied for second place last season with 6-2 league marks, were picked to finish second and third, respectively, by just one point. HSU totaled 197 points and garnered one first-place vote, while MC had 196 points and the final two top-spot votes.

East Texas Baptist (154 pts.), which had a 5-3 ASC record last season, was picked to finish fourth. Louisiana College (125 pts.) was selected in the fifth spot, followed by Texas Lutheran University (97 pts.), Howard Payne University (85 pts.), Sul Ross State University (61 pts.) and McMurry University (60 pts.).

Shaffer (Brandon, MS / Jackson Academy), a junior quarterback, was named ASC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Last season, the 6-2, 205-pound Shaffer paced MC with a league-leading 3,497 yards passing and 31 touchdowns opposed to just 13 interceptions.

Henri (Lake Dallas, TX / LDHS), a senior linebacker, was named ASC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-1, 205-pound Henri posted 86 tackles for UMHB in 2007 and ranked in the ASC's top 10 in sacks (5.5) and tackles for loss (14.5).

Pope (Longview, TX / Spring Hill HS), a junior place kicker, was selected as ASC Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year. Pope notched 12 field goals – creating a league-leading 1.20 average per game – and was good on 21 of 22 point-after attempts for ETBU.

Shaffer and Henri were first team all-ASC selections last year, while Pope was an honorable mention pick.

The 2008 ASC season – the 13th in league history – opens September 6, with seven league members in action (East Texas Baptist, Hardin-Simmons, McMurry, Mississippi College, Sul Ross State and Texas Lutheran). Howard Payne and Mary Hardin-Baylor begin their slates on September 13. The NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs are scheduled for a November 22 start, with the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl championship game on tap for December 20.

2008 ASC PRESEASON FOOTBALL POLL

[Voted on by ASC Head Coaches, Sports Information Directors, Media Members]

1. Mary Hardin-Baylor (24) 240 12-2, 8-0 ASC
2. Hardin-Simmons (1) 197 6-4, 6-2 ASC
3. Mississippi College (2) 196 8-2, 6-2 ASC
4. East Texas Baptist 154 5-5, 5-3 ASC
5. Louisiana College 125 5-5, 4-4 ASC
6. Texas Lutheran 97 2-8, 2-6 ASC
7. Howard Payne 85 1-9, 1-7 ASC
8. Sul Ross State 61 5-5, 3-5 ASC
9. McMurry 60 2-8, 1-7 ASC

[Josh Bowerman]

Interesting vote totals given what both UMHB and MC lost from last year's teams.

If pressed to, I'd probably agree with the order of the top three, but would think there'd be a bigger discrepancy in the vote totals.

Preseason prediction sure to go wrong--watch out for Louisiana College this year.

[fatboy]

What do you mean by a bigger discrepancy in the vote totals? I think given the recent history it is about right.  I do think this will be a big year for Louisiana and ETBU to take a step up. And maybe TLU???

[Josh Bowerman]

What I mean is I don't see UMHB being 50 points better than the second place team.

I saw ETBU play last year, and unless they've brought in some new talent, this isn't going to be their year.  I'm seeing TLU play SRSU this year, and I expect about the same for the Bulldogs.

My preseason top four is

UMHB
HSU
LC
MC

but this year's conference champ will have at least one conference loss, me thinks.

[Bill McCabe]

How well UMHB and HSU do will depend on the play of their QBs.  UMHB has a huge hole to fill with the graduation of Welch.  MC has a very good QB and if they have improved in other areas, they will be a tough team to deal with during the season.  With 7 starters returning on defense,  I would have to give an edge to UMHB.  They always play a lot of people, so I imagine they will have plenty of experienced players to step forward.

[fatboy]

UMHB will have home field vs HSU and MC as well.  Being a UMHB Fan it is hard to believe the champ will have one loss Maybe wishful thinking .  I think that TLU was young last year and ETBU was well coached probably still a few years away.

Another topic for discussion are the defenses in the ASC, Were the offenses really good last year or were the defenses that bad.

[minni]

I believe defenses were that bad!!!  AT HSU atleast...and I am an alumni and former player so dont get your panties in a wad!!!  Just work and improve and make me eat my words.

[Josh Bowerman]

It is interesting to note that, in addition to new defensive coordinators at HSU, they've also brought back longtime Plano HS coach and former HSU assistant Sam Shields.  The D will most definitely be better under these guys' direction.