FB: American Southwest Conference

[hsucowboyfan]

I finally got a chance to watch the mighty HSU Cowboys this past Sat. I have been reading all the spirited boards all year and they finally got close enough to my place to go watch. They did a good job taking it to a much lesser athletic team. However, I did notice some things that could be a concern when they face a better opponent. They are split into 3 qudarents on the field offensively. Plays seemed to be called to these areas and it appears there is never any varancies after the snap. Teams that match them athletically will make this hurt. Something I bet if you watch film that UMHB did against them. I saw many plays Sat. that the back side guys were running free but it was obvious there was a call and it was to be run that way. Maybe they will change in the playoffs. The other thing I noticed was a very well coached disciplined defense. I am trying to take it in context of the opponent but I still thought they did well with assignments and pursuits. Good luck all Texas schools!

yes, welcome simplefan. its always good hearing smart game overviews from a fan perspective. I was just wondering what the 3 quadrants means...I'm probably not thinking it through, i guess i just need a little more explaining on that part if you dont mind.
Thanks 

[Bill McCabe]

Well, it looks like it will be Bryson Tucker and Matt Hurst in the back field for the Cru this week.  According to the Temple Daily Telegram, Tucker will get the start.  The article also say that the Daniels decision should be made by the end of the week. Apparently the arthroscopic surgery caused swelling that has delayed the decision, but the swelling is going down and a decision to return this season or petition the AA for the medical will be made soon.

Well, here's the link:
http://www.tdtnews.com/story/2008/11/04/53461

That is really good news for the Cru.  Coach Fred had some very nice things to say about Tucker.  I know he is a very good athlete and very fast.  Having Hurst back will be a big help.  I'd like to see the Cru have a big game on Saturday.

[Toby Taff]

Bill,
I talked with a friend last night who spent last weekend on campus and had the chance to talk with Hurst.  Apparently his arm was pretty bad, so the fact that he was able to play and be productive was a big deal

[simplefan]

cowboyfan,
Sure, I am just simply saying the route combinations are run to the left side, right side, or some type of over the middle route: routes with digs, and deep post. What I saw was the qb never see the routes outside of the 1,2,3's in those areas. However, I didnt really get the feeling he was suppose to. It could very possibly be due to the opponent not being able to match up that well. Thats all.

[cowboyfan]

cowboyfan,
Sure, I am just simply saying the route combinations are run to the left side, right side, or some type of over the middle route: routes with digs, and deep post. What I saw was the qb never see the routes outside of the 1,2,3's in those areas. However, I didnt really get the feeling he was suppose to. It could very possibly be due to the opponent not being able to match up that well. Thats all.

Simplefan,

I'm confused. Don't all offenses have a 1,2,3 option for the play at hand? Why if option 1 was open would it matter if option 3 or 4 was open. Shouldn't the QB go to the first option when possible? Against better defensives the 3,4 option for the play might be needed but if the 1 option is open and thats the play that is called??? Am i missing something?

[Toby Taff]

cowboyfan,
Sure, I am just simply saying the route combinations are run to the left side, right side, or some type of over the middle route: routes with digs, and deep post. What I saw was the qb never see the routes outside of the 1,2,3's in those areas. However, I didnt really get the feeling he was suppose to. It could very possibly be due to the opponent not being able to match up that well. Thats all.

Simplefan,

I'm confused. Don't all offenses have a 1,2,3 option for the play at hand? Why if option 1 was open would it matter if option 3 or 4 was open. Shouldn't the QB go to the first option when possible? Against better defensives the 3,4 option for the play might be needed but if the 1 option is open and thats the play that is called??? Am i missing something?

Don't be confused.  I think the "it might be the match up" covers it.  HSU has a few plays it seems to run  over and over and against teams they over power those pass plays are always to the same people.  So yes the QB is taking the 1 option because its open.  Simplefan, saw a game where the repetition was obvious to him.  I think we've all seen those 4 and 5 reads in HSU-UMHB games and in games where Feaster is making the plays with his feet in the back field.  Given the score of last weeks game I am guessing Feaster wasn't running in the backfield much.

[cowboyfan]

thanks toby. Makes sense to me. I can see the possible repetition but i also think it has to do with the team HSU or UMHB is playing.

[Bill McCabe]

Most of todays passing game is based on reading keys, both on the alignment of the defense and where a specific defender goes on the snap of the ball.  Many times when you read zone coverage you are going to a certain combination of routes.  If the defense comes with a blitz, there is usually a hot receiver that the QB throws to quickly. 

[simplefan]

I see I have garnered a few responses. Fun. What I am saying is most of HSU's plays are 1,2,3 in a zone with a back side down the field route and a flats or dump route. Many times I saw the down field route open up for a huge gain but the play was made in the zone called for a 10-15 yd gain.(not bad) I never saw the qb's head look anywhere other than the zone the play was called in. I assume by the name Feaster that he is the qb? He throws a very good ball just seems to stay locked in to the play called. Now, this could be because the plays are meant to be very specific from upstairs. We (the fans) never have all the information which is why we should be very careful in what we say and where we tread. We(the fans) rarely are armmed with the right ammo.

[Toby Taff]

I think if you see HSU play a team like UMHB you'll see something different.  Feaster is very good at creating with his feet and when he does, those open deep routes come into play more frequently.  UMHB has the ability to get into the backfield and make him run, Linfield did as well, and he certainly seems to have a great sense of where everyone is.  I'd bet the zone reads have more to do with the way the coaches want the offense run.

[cowboyfan2]

Congratulations to the O-Line of Hardin-Simmons for Team Of The Week honors.  You all deserve it for the great job you do.

[etbualum]

etbualum,
     Seems reports from this weeks game was: that etbu doesnt have any playmakers(gamebreakers) on offense (aka- Jabori Jackson, Earl Morris, Jason Gray, Roshawn Johnson, or even a Andrew Jackson); and the QB play is maybe the worst it has ever been. Any follow up on these observations?

We do have several playmakers on offense.   The QB play has really held the offense back.  We are solid QB play away from being a conference contender in my opinion.  While our current QB may have the talent he is pretty gun shy and lacking confidence at this point. 

[Josh Bowerman]

With all due respect, etbualum, I think a lot of teams in the conference could say the same thing about their QB position.

What I saw from your guys this year was a lot of athletic talent, but a lot of real bad attitudes (especially at the WR position--#16 specifically).

If the Tigers can get the attitude stuff straightened out, then the Tigers could be real tough to stop.

[cowboyfan]

JOSH,

We were obviously at the same game. I saw the same thing from ETBU. Several years ago HSU went through a similar situation. Lots of talent on the team but not much team unity and an overall bad attitude. ETBU can blame the QB or the WR or the Lines all they want but individual talent doesn't win games. I think its speaks to the quality of UMHB's program that they have suffered so many injuries this season and still managed to win. ETBUALUM i don't recall any UMHB fans saying they were one good running back away from beating SOU. Take your lumps and get better. From where i stand your new season starts in two days.

[etbualum]

cowboy

Someone asked my opinion on my team and I gave it.  I was not saying we should have won or anything like that.  If you read any of my posts than you know that I am not a big excuse maker.  I didnt blame our lines or our wr.  I didnt say we would have won against UMHB or HSU. I stated a simple fact that our QB play has held our offense back and we need to be better at that position.  I believe I have watched more ETBU football than anyone on this board.   I dont think we have had a QB anything better than honorable mention all conference since we brought back football. The fact is our QB play has to be better.  We still have 2 games left this year and since we cannot win the conference we are looking for things to help us get better for next year.

Josh

Jari Brooks is a good player, and I agree that he was very frustrated in the HSU game.  That does not help unity.  I know that is something that Coach has talked to him about.  I also know he is a 1st year player in this program and will learn.  It takes some kids time to get a system and to see the way things work.  I think Jari will get it, if not Coach Sartain will let him go.

As for QB, it is the single most important position in college football.  That is the reason that HSU is great this year(and almost every year).  That is the reason that UMHB can win without the top 6 running backs.  LC got a good QB and they will probably win 7 ball games.  Look at the good teams in Div 1, they all have a great QBs.  It doesnt matter how unified your team is or how much talent you have, without a good QB you are not going to win this conference.  Yes Josh you can say that about a lot of teams in our conference, however ETBU has enough talent at the other positions that with a QB they could make that run as soon as next year if we see improvement at that position.