FB: American Southwest Conference

[billybaroo]

there is nothing wrong with the Cru defense.  i think the dbs are the best i've seen @mhb

They are good but I don't know if I would go that far Barcheck Rojo Kubiak and Kirby would pretty hard to beat

[CruAlum58]

Those werent even the starters Billy. Barcak moved to corner in 04 during the playoffs, where he went off. Kirby, Rojo, Kub were all great safeties. But the corners were Anthony Johnson and Nick McPhaul. I would say collectively they were the best secondary that has been at UMHB. All would come up and hit you in the mouth. Time will tell where this group ends up, however they are very talented.

[Toby Taff]

there is nothing wrong with the Cru defense.  i think the dbs are the best i've seen @mhb

They are good but I don't know if I would go that far Barcheck Rojo Kubiak and Kirby would pretty hard to beat

maybe i should amend my statement, with Tucker in the defensive backfield I think they are the best I've seen, especially Parker.  Barcek-Kubiak and Cru were great, but in a game against a throwing QB I want this years group.

[bombscott]

I STAND CORRECTED!!! I went back and slowed it down and listened to the broadcast. I want to publicly give my apologies to all HSU constituients especially coach Wartes. You said it EXACTLY right no one intended to not to win.

However as the playing for next year, it really seems as though thats whats happening. I dont mean that he doesnt want to win I think he does, but there have been some other comments that he has made to players that are miraculously playing another year that tell you he is playing for next year. I dont have issues with it at all. Just be what you are.

[Toby Taff]

Given the track this season has taken I think that there has to be an element of playing for next year.  Once HSU had lost 2 D3 games, the hope of a playoff birth was pretty much gone, and once they were down 2 conference games conference title hopes were basically finished.  @ that point you are playing for next year, but you're doing by fighting through the rest of the season, getting experience for the less experienced, and you're finding out who the real leaders are.  That doesn't mean you don't want to win every game.  To the contrary, you want to win every game to build team confidence and instill a winning attitude.

[umhb2001]

there is nothing wrong with the Cru defense.  i think the dbs are the best i've seen @mhb

They are good but I don't know if I would go that far Barcheck Rojo Kubiak and Kirby would pretty hard to beat

They would be pretty hard to beat, but time and time again I saw them get beat on third down.  While their tackling and pursuit may have been better, the coverage of WR's has been consistantly better.

When looking at the stats since our 04 title run, our oppenents 3rd down percentage has been this:
2008- 30%
2007- 27%
2006- 31%
2005- 27%
2004- 35%

This year, opponents 3rd down percentage is 26%.  That means 3 and outs more often than any year since our title run in 04.  That is astounding to me!  The Db's are the best on 3rd down. Now, not all of those are passing situations, but, a lot of them are with our stout run D, so the proof is there.  I really feel that things will take off from here.  I think the guys have a lot to prove and they want to prove it. If our D can stay healthy with BT in there, and our RB's can get healthy, then I think we have a good shot at going deep into the playoffs again. BTW, I spoke via email to Erick Drennan, the sports writer for the TDT in Temple who does most of the writing over the Cru, and according to him, Desmond is suffering from turf toe and Quincy is going to practice this week.  Whether he plays Saturday or not is yet to be seen. As of now, B Tuck is listed as the starter with Tracy Cooper the backup.

[hsugma]

GO COWBOYS....  WIN... WIN...WIN...

[kickhoe]

Forgive me if this has already been posted.....

Nice write up in the Dave Campbell's Texas Football 50th Anniversary on Jimmie Keeling.  Listed him as one of the greatest coaches over the last 50 years.  They also mention the "Mississippi Miracle" as one of the best football games.

Anyway, lots of fun stuff to read about Texas football:  High School, College, and Pro

[bombscott]

Given the track this season has taken I think that there has to be an element of playing for next year.  Once HSU had lost 2 D3 games, the hope of a playoff birth was pretty much gone, and once they were down 2 conference games conference title hopes were basically finished.  @ that point you are playing for next year, but you're doing by fighting through the rest of the season, getting experience for the less experienced, and you're finding out who the real leaders are.  That doesn't mean you don't want to win every game.  To the contrary, you want to win every game to build team confidence and instill a winning attitude.

I agree but what bothers me some is that the few games I have attended and seen is that you do have some seniors on this team that are starters and have been. I see them going away from those seniors in order to get some "experience for the inexperienced". This is their last go around and they are done. Thats just really not right. I know this is something new for HSU to be going through. In my opinion they should be featuring those seniors give them something to feel good about after all most will more than likely never put on a helmet again.

[crufootball]

As much as it does stink for the seniors that lose playing time, you have to give the young guys the playing time so you are not inexperienced come next year.

For the past few years that is one reason the Cru has been able to reload as opposed to rebuild since our underclassmen have received so much playing time in our larger victories.

[cowboyfan]

I STAND CORRECTED!!! I went back and slowed it down and listened to the broadcast. I want to publicly give my apologies to all HSU constituients especially coach Wartes. You said it EXACTLY right no one intended to not to win.

However as the playing for next year, it really seems as though thats whats happening. I dont mean that he doesnt want to win I think he does, but there have been some other comments that he has made to players that are miraculously playing another year that tell you he is playing for next year. I dont have issues with it at all. Just be what you are.

Everyone execpt for MC and BHMU are playing for next year in my opinion. Everyone else has games left in the season but no hope of life outside the regular season. I don't think there is anything wrong with that mentality. Its realistic, so call me and Alan Wartes realists. I do agree with you that doesn't mean they aren't playing EACH and EVERY week to win. The preparation hasn't changed. The goal is still to win football games and for each player to be successful at what he does (experienced and inexperienced). As for players being "miraculously back for another season" injuries are a part of the game. As long as football remains a contact sport players will get hurt and when they do they will be afforded the opportunity in certain circumstance to sit out for the remainder of the current year and give it another shot the next. Isn't the players health outside of football more important than the chance to reinjure himself so he can finish the season? Where is the concern for people physical well being? J Neal redshirted, Patrick Bacca redshirted and so on. Redshirts are what they are. Although i can sympothize with the frustration i don't think dragging ANYONE through the mud will help. It doesn't rewind the season and it doesn't change the lineup. At this point as a fan i am more disappointed with the actions (of some parents and HSU supporters) and the reactions to this season than the actual result of this it. As a fan well outside the program its not hard to see why so many people hate us. We eat each other alive...No ralying around the troops here lets just talk about how bad things are. VERY SAD. What a shame.

[cowboyfan]

As much as it does stink for the seniors that lose playing time, you have to give the young guys the playing time so you are not inexperienced come next year.

For the past few years that is one reason the Cru has been able to reload as opposed to rebuild since our underclassmen have received so much playing time in our larger victories.

I seriously doubt it is the lose of senior playing time that is eating everyone's grape. I think it is the lose of the chance for playoffs. HSU has typically played inexperienced players A LOT in the second half. Thus cutting into seniors playing time. It was never an issue when we were winning.

Go HSU. Chin up fight hard. Finish strong.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE THIS WEEKEND.

[umhb2001]

As much as it does stink for the seniors that lose playing time, you have to give the young guys the playing time so you are not inexperienced come next year.

For the past few years that is one reason the Cru has been able to reload as opposed to rebuild since our underclassmen have received so much playing time in our larger victories.

I seriously doubt it is the lose of senior playing time that is eating everyone's grape. I think it is the lose of the chance for playoffs. HSU has typically played inexperienced players A LOT in the second half. Thus cutting into seniors playing time. It was never an issue when we were winning.

Go HSU. Chin up fight hard. Finish strong.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE THIS WEEKEND.

Everyone rebuilds and everyone has underclassman play. We have a Freshman taking over at QB, we had a RB who was a freshman break his arm, and things just happen.  I think it's a ballance.  Sure, those guys have earned the right to play, but if they won't be back next year, this is free practice time you aren't going to get during the playoffs that will give your young guys a chance to see some competition and get ready for next year. We all need HSU better.  Good luck Cowboys, come back strong next year.

[CruAlum58]

I disagree. I would like to see HSU lose every game  .

But it is good to see more parody in this conference.

[Ralph Turner]

I disagree. I would like to see HSU lose every game  .

But it is good to see more parody in this conference.

Should Miss College be the "survivor" out of this sub-bracket, I hope that they go far for the sake of the conference.