FB: American Southwest Conference

[Ralph Turner]

Thanks for the kind words about the ASC.

We in the ASC need more people to get outside their comfort zones.  The ASC is a brutal conference.

15 schools, basically a double conference whose members beat up on each other, because there is no one else to play.  Our conference AQ tourneys are like a play-in game for the NCAA's.

I want to send props to the NCAC.  I thought that Trine would beat Wittenberg, but Witt's program is much more mature, and I think that was the difference today.

[golden_dome]

A couple thoughts today to kind of wrap up the season.

Like I told a few Wesley fans in the press box, I don't know if today says much about their offense. We've had games like that this year giving up big yardage and lots of points, this wasn't a first. We did it against HSU and LC, and won in shootouts. The OL is big, the backs are OK, the QB is OK, and the tight end is very good. I will say that Wesley WR Ellis Krout is a Jake Allen type of talent and we've struggled all year against WR's who can go get it. He opens up the offense for everyone because he draws so much attention.

Wesley really impressed me with their defense, and honestly surprised me. I think our offensive skill people are among the best in the nation, but we were mauled up front and had no chance to do anything. From watching the game and talking to players, the Wesley front four is very, very talented. Our OL has fought all year and are the hardest working group of kids we have, but Shaffer really didn't have much of a chance today, nor the backs. There was someone in his face all day. Wesley's front four is as good as I've seen in DIII. I think there were plays to be made downfield if you can block them up front, but that's tough to do.

Wesley is very big overall and I was impressed. From comments coming from their fans, they are very talented but not always focused or motivated. And they beat themselves a lot. But if they play like that, and if their front four dominates like that, they have enough weapons to be a realistic Stagg Bowl team IMO.

[D O.C.]

OK but I would love to have a chance at any Wesley four. Good for them.
Come WEST young men!

[Toby Taff]

Wehad a great game here today.

had is right.  can't give teh ball up like that and it stay a good game.

Toby,

Let me know if you make out out the PacNW in the future.  I still owe you a breakfast and a tour of the area.  The ASC is a fine conference (no need to even state that).  Best of luck in the off season.

I certainly will.

[CruAlum58]

Black sunday for the whole conference. Get back to work for the '10 season. Go for the sixth straight conference championship! Although this one was split.

Great year for UMHB, I know they will be back at work getting better.

[umhb2001]

Utterly depressed and demoralized! That was a huge schocker, and the downfall of the game was bringing in Bailey.  When Bailey came in and fumbled, that totally killed the Cru.  I know Noak was intercepted in the second half and that was big, but we had driven down and scored twice in the 1st half and when that happends, you don't bring in somebody just for them to play.  That is what killed us.  But seriously, I have loved LB all year and believe he can lead us in the future, but that was a time when a change wasn't' necessary. After that, it was over.  We never did anything after that.  We also stopped running QD and brought in Mayes.  Mayes looked good, but he hasn't played in these games against these types of players.  We needed either BTuck or QD in that situation. I really felt like we had the team to do it this year, especially since we had that defeat against UWW last year. 

Congrats to Linfield on a great game.  They obviously came prepared and played the better game yesterday. Back to square one again for The Cru.

[Ralph Turner]

Utterly depressed and demoralized! That was a huge schocker, and the downfall of the game was bringing in Bailey.  When Bailey came in and fumbled, that totally killed the Cru. 

...

But seriously, I have loved LB all year and believe he can lead us in the future, but that was a time when a change wasn't' necessary. ...

... Back to square one again for The Cru.

Yeah, we ASC fans think that there is only one solution for Bailey...

Someone like Incarnate Word can offer him a football scholarship.         

[Gig Harbor Cat]

2001,
  We all agree that the squad that you had on the field for O in the 1st quarter got the WOW factor from all of us.  We couldn't believe that your club made changes away from that.
   You had talent all over the field.  I'm sure you will reload for next year.

Gig Harbor Cat

[Wildcat'64]

Cru Supporters,

You have a great team and after the 1st quarter many Cat faithful were frankly fearful of what the final score would be.  Frankly the way our defense played yesterday surprised us as well however, I must admit they have been pretty impressive over the past 3 games and seem to be getting better each week. Last week against Cal Lutheran they also forced 7 turn overs.
I'm sure you'll have a powerhouse team again next year and here's hoping we have the opportunity to play once again.  These are two really fine D3 quality programs.

[D O.C.]

2001...
LINFIELD dinged up The Q.

[crufootball]

Congrats to the Cru, you guys had another fine season and there are over 200 teams that would have gladly traded places with you to be in the second round.

Good luck to Linfield next week and beyond, you clearly exposed some problems we had and took full advantage and earned the victory.

On a side note, Jerrell Freeman and the Saskatchewan Roughriders just lost in CFL's Grey Cup on a last second field goal 28-27. A very tough loss, the Montreal Alouettes missed their first attempt at the game winning field goal but the Roughriders were flagged and they didn't miss the second time to win and won having scored 18 points in the 4th quarter.

[criswyly]

I for one am hugely glad the UMHB game is over with a big win on the Cats side....Everyone in D3 knows that the Cru is always the real deal and is one of the big kids on the block.  Hope you can enjoy watching the Cats represent our side of the bracket.  I am sure UST will be tough...but I don't think they will match the Cru.

[Teamski]

I for one am hugely glad the UMHB game is over with a big win on the Cats side....Everyone in D3 knows that the Cru is always the real deal and is one of the big kids on the block.  Hope you can enjoy watching the Cats represent our side of the bracket.  I am sure UST will be tough...but I don't think they will match the Cru.

To be completely honest, I don't know how you can come to that conclusion.  I'm not a UMHB fan, but any football fan will see that 7 turnovers will cause a disproportionate score that doesn't necessarily reflect the abilities of the teams in question.  Take the the turnovers away and what do you have?

-Ski

[Hayden Fox]

So which schools are going to make a change this off-season?  Any new schools coming into the mix by adding football?

[bleedpurple]

Congratulations to the Cru for a great season. Very tough way to end.  Obviously, the west bracket was stacked from the get-go. There is no shame in losing to Linfield. IMO, UMHB's national reputation will be every bit as strong heading into next year. Congratulations to the Cru seniors. You had a GREAT 4 years! You will be forever known as helping form the foundation for one of the very strongest football programs in the nation.