FB: American Southwest Conference

[Toby Taff]

hey all my cru friends, need a little insight on mississippi college since they are wesely's next opponent.  looking at the game stats from yesterday, they look like they have a balanced attack and stop the run pretty well.  That was a lot of yardage given up to the pass, but I would figure that Huntington was passing more since they were trailing much of the game.

Also, congrats on your win yesterday, maybe, just maybe, we will see each other at the stagg and both have a team to really cheer for.  good luck this week against linfield.

MC does run a pretty balanced attack and will take what you give them.  McKnight is a real good RB and Adam Shaffer can really fling the rock, but can be shaken if you can gt to him.  Defensively, they give up points so the key to winning is probably slowing down the offense.  They had 2 weeks to prepare for the UMHB game and the Cru started a freshman in his first game both of which contributed to the UMHB loss.  Not to down play UMHB getting beat, their D was absolutely tuned for the Crusader offensive attack and did a great job when it mattered.

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Let me be the first to welcome you to the Catdome !!  This should be a great matchup.  Weather will be in the eighty's so just pack light--shorts and flip flops will do--sunscreen is a must.  Dont mind all of the Cat fans that look like they just wandered in from their duck blind.  We always expect rain.
Tailgate action starts early and you are all welcome.  We are the group down on the corner by the Wildcat bus.  Dont mind that the group looks like old harley riders--we are friendly ( until the bell rings at gametime) 
Electric longies are the drink of the day-- you will like em !!
  I'm sure both teams are bringin their A game for sure--fasten your seatbelt--lets get it on !!

Phone it in !!

Gig Harbor Cat

[Ralph Turner]

The Noack vs Bailey question may be "seasoned veteran versus wild impetuous freshman".

If Bailey can gain some maturity, then he is a threat to be feared for the next three years in the ASC.  (We are assuming that he "called" that pass play.)  If that was his teachable moment, then we can see if he learned something.

As I followed the LiveStats, that game's momentum looked like a 3-touchdown smackdown to give one the impression of a return of the dominant 2004 team.

That fourth quarter may be the mental conditioning that the CRU needs to go to McMinnville.

Read Dutch Radio's comments in the IIAC board.  he basically said that Central received a gift to get back in the game and specifically mentioned not getting the Bailey play.  I don't necessarily think Bailey called the play there.  I'm inclined to think that the coaches were trying to catch Central stacking things up, but I personally would rather have Noack in there making that play.  I think it is a maturity vs impetuousness thing.  Bailey's going to be a force at QB for the next 3 years, if he can develop a little unpredictability in executing the option game there will be much less tension from me.  I think this game will show the Cru that in the playoffs every game is a 4 qtr game.  Once you step on their necks, you have to keep stomping.

Thanks for the response, Toby.

I always have respect for the QB who does not beat himself, and knows how to play inside himself.

As the season progressed, I saw the change in McMurry's QB Jake Mullin, who would stay in the pocket and scramble to give his receivers the chance to get open, after 2 and 3 moves.  That conditions the receiver and the line not to let up on pass blocking and convert to run blocking too quickly.  Bigger things can happen in the chaos, than just a 6-yd scramble that may end up shy of the first down.

[Ralph Turner]

Wow!  How much is Linfield-UMHB like an annual rivalry.

We ASC and NWC teams seem to be playing each in critical games just often enough, to keep the things fresh.

This season, Linfield and UMHB can compare the Southern Oregon/UMHB, Southern Oregon/Linfield, Whitworth/HSU, Linfield/HSU, Whitworth/Linfield and HSU/UMHB tapes.

[@d3jason]

Congrats to the Cru and Choctaws.

I'm excited to get the chance to see a fifth ASC team in person this season this weekend in Dover. Should be a great game.

[Ralph Turner]

Congrats to the Cru and Choctaws.

I'm excited to get the chance to see a fifth ASC team in person this season this weekend in Dover. Should be a great game.

Improves your "cred" as South Region reporter!   

[peaster68]

Whats the forecast for Saturday in beautiful Dover, Delaware?

[umhb2001]

Tough loss.

Hard win.

I look forward to another match down the line.

You got it! Come on out!

Can you believe how tough this is? No seeds. Harumph! Cake walks for UWW and MUC.

Hope people are healthy, only tired.

I meant a rematch with Central.

[umhb2001]

Late in the 4th quarter, UMHB had 3rd and about a foot to go for a first down and they threw deep.  Can someone explain that decision.  A first down and we probably aren't biting our nails.  I about fell out of my chair when I saw Bailey throwing.

I like Bailey as a player, but he did the same thing yesterday that he did in Clinton, he became predictable and the D started teeing off on him because he's really not that big of a threat with his arm. 

Bailey can throw the ball. I saw several passes this year where he has the arm for it, just inexpierience. There may be some "calling his number", but I think it is inexpierience.

[umhb2001]

Wow!  How much is Linfield-UMHB like an annual rivalry.

We ASC and NWC teams seem to be playing each in critical games just often enough, to keep the things fresh.

This season, Linfield and UMHB can compare the Southern Oregon/UMHB, Southern Oregon/Linfield, Whitworth/HSU, Linfield/HSU, Whitworth/Linfield and HSU/UMHB tapes.

That should be easier for Coach Fred than finding tape for the Central game. He talked as if it was going to be a problem.

[Toby Taff]

Late in the 4th quarter, UMHB had 3rd and about a foot to go for a first down and they threw deep.  Can someone explain that decision.  A first down and we probably aren't biting our nails.  I about fell out of my chair when I saw Bailey throwing.

I like Bailey as a player, but he did the same thing yesterday that he did in Clinton, he became predictable and the D started teeing off on him because he's really not that big of a threat with his arm. 

Bailey can throw the ball. I saw several passes this year where he has the arm for it, just inexpierience. There may be some "calling his number", but I think it is inexpierience.

i think its inexperience too.  early in the year it seemed like his passing was more effective, but as the season went on his handling of the option became more predictable.  The announcers at MC pointed out his hesitance to pitch during the MC game.  Yesterday he pitched more, but often in a position where QD or BTuck couldn't do much with it.  Those things will come with experience, but make it a little scary during the playoffs with a game on the line.

[PA_wesleyfan]

Whats the forecast for Saturday in beautiful Dover, Delaware?

peaster68

To early to say! There is a coastal storm that's supposed to clear out mid week but after last weeks 4 day storm of destruction I'd wait until Thursday or Friday too check again. I can tell you this 90% chance of strong breeze to windy. There is always a flag moving in the stadium. The normal temp ranges in the 50's this time of year and if it's sunny wear a hat and sun glasses on the visitors side.

[peaster68]

Whats the forecast for Saturday in beautiful Dover, Delaware?

peaster68

To early to say! There is a coastal storm that's supposed to clear out mid week but after last weeks 4 day storm of destruction I'd wait until Thursday or Friday too check again. I can tell you this 90% chance of strong breeze to windy. There is always a flag moving in the stadium. The normal temp ranges in the 50's this time of year and if it's sunny wear a hat and sun glasses on the visitors side.

Appreciate the info. Hopefully it will be beautiful weather for a great game on Saturday. I know the weather yesterday in Montgomery was very pleasant. Luckily, the rain held off until after the game was over.

[D O.C.]

Ralph's points about UMHB having been out in Oregon several times is major. They will travel well. They will find the field-turf to their liking. They will not be awed at all. I expect a tough, tough game. Congratulations to the winner.

OK Cowboys...it was an elite group that traveled to McMinnville this year. Parents, poll your player and chime in:

Who do you think will advance?  Crusaders or WILDCATS


(and we WISH we could play Wesley any time anywhere)

[Ralph Turner]

(and we WISH we could play Wesley any time anywhere)

Wesley has plenty of open dates.

It would be a non-region game, but it might work for both teams.