FB: American Southwest Conference

[cowboyfan]

After looking at Hardin Simmons football schedule this year I must say I am impressed.  They could have scheduled some lesser talented programs, but with the duo they face in the first two weeks they will be prepared for conference.  Do any of you believe that with the rankings of HSU/UMHB, and the formidable scheduling of Linfield and Whitworth,(traditioally tough opponents) does HSU have one of  the strongest schedules in D3?  I think so.  I even saw this in ETBU scheduling SJU last year.  As a UMHB fan I do not see the same level of play in our schedule Southern Nazarene NAIA, and Southern Oregon NAIA).  UMHB's loss to Southern Oregon had many factors due to heavy injuries, plus not playing well.  We need the tougher schedule to help when we play HSU and other top programs.  Kuddos, to Coach Keeling and the Cowboys for facing two tough non-conference foes. This should prepare them well for the conference race, barring injuries, and the Cru knows that full well.  (Daniels being out last year!) Still I am impressed with the Cowboys demeanor on scheduling.

I am now looking for the turn to the fall, I wish we started camp today, better yet played tomorrow!

I think that is a good observation on your part CRU96. IMHO HSU has always tired to schedule top tier programs to prepare for the season and to help when it comes time to pass out playoff bids. Ralph is correct though i would imagine Southern Nazarene was not UMHB's First call. Scheduling a team like UMHB or HSU early in the season could be a bad move on the part of many programs. Should either program lose it hurts playoff chances and possibly the teams overall attitude early in the season. I am excited to see what this season brings i think HSU is in a much better place this year with Feaster back at QB. Everyone has holes to fill (some larger than others). But i think HSU has a legitimate shot at regainning the crown. I'm very pleased to see 2) ASC teams in the top 5 preseason. I think that is quite a statement about or conference and the level of play we a capable of. Hope everyone stays health. Can't wait for Sep 5th.

[Toby Taff]

I think that is a good observation on your part CRU96. IMHO HSU has always tired to schedule top tier programs to prepare for the season and to help when it comes time to pass out playoff bids. Ralph is correct though i would imagine Southern Nazarene was not UMHB's First call. Scheduling a team like UMHB or HSU early in the season could be a bad move on the part of many programs. Should either program lose it hurts playoff chances and possibly the teams overall attitude early in the season. I am excited to see what this season brings i think HSU is in a much better place this year with Feaster back at QB. Everyone has holes to fill (some larger than others). But i think HSU has a legitimate shot at regainning the crown. I'm very pleased to see 2) ASC teams in the top 5 preseason. I think that is quite a statement about or conference and the level of play we a capable of. Hope everyone stays health. Can't wait for Sep 5th.

I think you're right cowboyfan, but as we saw with JNeal a few years ago and quincy daniels last year one play can change plans for a season.  Let's just pray everyone gets through the season healthy so that the showdown(s) between HSU and UMHb are all they can be.

[CRU96]

Toby, and Cowboyfan,

I could not agree more.  The matchup in  the HSU/UMHB rivarly is hard to explain if you have never experienced it.  Both teams display their strengths which makes for an incredible game.  My desire is for both to go to the play-offs and to meet, let's see, somewhere other than the first, or second rounds.  (Only in my dreams!)

On another front, ETBU Head coach Coach Mark Sartain has been able to bring in excellent talent as a college football coach through the years.  Any one know how good they should be this year?  I never want to take things for granted and overlook anyone, this conference has been known to have teams emerge quickly.

No one sleep walks to the championship in the ASC, they must earn it every year!

[roocru]

After looking at Hardin Simmons football schedule this year I must say I am impressed.  They could have scheduled some lesser talented programs, but with the duo they face in the first two weeks they will be prepared for conference.  Do any of you believe that with the rankings of HSU/UMHB, and the formidable scheduling of Linfield and Whitworth,(traditioally tough opponents) does HSU have one of  the strongest schedules in D3?  I think so.  I even saw this in ETBU scheduling SJU last year.  As a UMHB fan I do not see the same level of play in our schedule Southern Nazarene NAIA, and Southern Oregon NAIA).  UMHB's loss to Southern Oregon had many factors due to heavy injuries, plus not playing well.  We need the tougher schedule to help when we play HSU and other top programs.  Kuddos, to Coach Keeling and the Cowboys for facing two tough non-conference foes. This should prepare them well for the conference race, barring injuries, and the Cru knows that full well.  (Daniels being out last year!) Still I am impressed with the Cowboys demeanor on scheduling.

I am now looking for the turn to the fall, I wish we started camp today, better yet played tomorrow!

I know for a fact that it was Whitewater who declined the chance to continue that series.  I can assure you that every effort was made to schedule other D3 schools and none took the offer.

[crufootball]

I know it probably would never happen and I would not want it to but...what if UMHB and HSU played each other twice in the regular season? Both teams would be getting quality "non-conference" games that are easy to travel to and then maybe we could convince the NCAA to not make us play a third time in one season once the playoffs came around.

[used2b]

CRU 96

    From what I undersand ETBU has 3 very talented running backs. An average or slightly above O-Line, below average receivers (but maybe good enough in that system), and nothing (nothing proven or with experience) at QB. Defensively, the line should be the strength, the LB's seem to be role players, and the secondary might be lacking in big play capabilities.
   In all, ETBU's historical flaw has been a lack of QB. When they won the conference, they nearly blew it with the play of QB's but were so far superior than anyone else in the skill positions to compensate for the QB deficiency. But this was, and is, a rarity. Make no mistake, from 2001-2004 ETBU should have won the conference outright (talent wise) more than they did, but they missed the leader, or arm, or playmaker, or intangible, or whatever it was (Neal, Schaeffer, Proctor, Salinas, Adam king, etc.) to close the deal. Some of the games, from 2001-2004 with UMHB, HPU, and HSU- though not as much with HsU, could have easily gone the other way with a more solidified presence at QB. Ralph Harris either could not coach QB's or would not ever settle, or just could not get a D3 "winning cog" of a QB in to play there. He must have thought he had it in Van Cleave, but it never materialized.
     THe lack of QB will kill etbu this year. And they probably dont have the superior O-Line to line up and just whip people in the trenches.

[Ron Boerger]

Poll results:

Where would you rank the ASC among conferences nationally ?
#1 baby!! - 0 (0%)
#2 - we try harder but never can win it all - 5 (22.7%)
#3 - Pat's got it right - 13 (59.1%)
#4 - It's the Cru and a bunch of sacrificial lambs -3 (13.6%)
Other - 1 (4.5%)

Be it known that while I created the poll, I did NOT add option 4.   

[cowboyfan]

Ron,

WHOEVER added option 4 doesn't know that much about the ASC. Neither do the 4% that chose that option.

[Bill McCabe]

I know it probably would never happen and I would not want it to but...what if UMHB and HSU played each other twice in the regular season? Both teams would be getting quality "non-conference" games that are easy to travel to and then maybe we could convince the NCAA to not make us play a third time in one season once the playoffs came around.

That would be a bad idea!   

[golden_dome]

Adam Shaffer was recognized recently in Mississippi Sports Magazine as one of the state's top 5 preseason candidates for the Cellular South Conerly Trophy. Mississippi Sports Magazine is basically Sports Illustrated for Mississippi, and the Conerly Trophy is handed out to the top collegiate player each year regardless of division.

Here's a link to the story and the magazine spread which also featured QB Jevan Snead of Ole Miss, RB Dexter McCluster of Ole Miss, Anthony Dixon of Mississippi State and DeAndre Brown of Southern Mississippi.
http://www.gochoctaws.com/news/2009/8/6/FB_0806090352.aspx?path=football

[Ron Boerger]

Adam Shaffer was recognized recently in Mississippi Sports Magazine as one of the state's top 5 preseason candidates for the Cellular South Conerly Trophy. Mississippi Sports Magazine is basically Sports Illustrated for Mississippi, and the Conerly Trophy is handed out to the top collegiate player each year regardless of division.

Here's a link to the story and the magazine spread which also featured QB Jevan Snead of Ole Miss, RB Dexter McCluster of Ole Miss, Anthony Dixon of Mississippi State and DeAndre Brown of Southern Mississippi.
http://www.gochoctaws.com/news/2009/8/6/FB_0806090352.aspx?path=football

Can't help but notice that the Conerly website has not been updated to include the 2008 winner, Juan Joseph of Millsaps.    Good luck to Adam Shaffer - a D3 player can win this award!

[golden_dome]

Jake Allen made headlines with the Green Bay Packers this week after a great practice Friday. Apparently Jake was off to a slow start in the first week of camp but had a great practice Friday to earn a nice writeup. There is a photo and story on the front of Packers.com, but here is a direct link to the story. http://www.packers.com/news/stories/2009/08/07/3/

[HSWho2007]

Ok, now maybe I can get some love....

UMHB will be launching a new athletic website. www.cruathletics.com

Just saw it posted on the schools website.

By the way. 7 years - 7 rings - 

[swede]

Hello to all you Cowboy fans out there. As some of you may be aware I am trying to collect something rom every D3 school in the country that has a sports program.
I have numerous thigs from Whitworth to McMurray (thanks Ralph) and from PLU to Mt. Union but still am quite short. I'll take just about anything that'll do your school proud on one of the walls or a shelf. It doesn't have to be anything big in fact I'd be willing to trade. I have the favorite wildcat hat design (size 18 was to big for me) and is still in the bag or a coffee mug.

If your coming up to mactown this fall let me know and we can meet.

Thanks!

[jaypeter]

In order to be champion you must beat the champions... I'd like to see another match-up perhaps even another home and home match-up series in future seasons

Yeah, I know it's been a couple of weeks since this was originally posted, but I'm sure Mount Union would enjoy a rematch this year, in the finals or semi's.  You beat them before, and most fans have been looking to a rematch since.  After all, "if you want to be the champion, you must beat the champions"!



In all seriousness, I think D3 would enjoy seeing UMHB, Whitewater, and Mt. Union playing each other in some combination again in the semi's and championship game again.  I also can't imagine any of these teams really minding those caliber of matchups to claim the Walnut and Bronze.  This could (and probably will) be the 10th consecutive year that at least one of these three teams is playing in Salem.