FB: American Southwest Conference

[PA_wesleyfan]

CruAlum58

Wesley doesn't stuff the box with eight ,they  change the D to best defend the team they are playing... You may very well see the line backers come up as D ends in a 3-4 look or a 5-2 look . I think Ski  was correct in that some teams have been determined to run on Wesley and that has been a fault. Don't underestimate the D backs though as they have done very well all year one on one and tackle very well in the open field.

[Ralph Turner]

CruAlum58

Wesley doesn't stuff the box with eight ,they  change the D to best defend the team they are playing... You may very well see the line backers come up as D ends in a 3-4 look or a 5-2 look . I think Ski  was correct in that some teams have been determined to run on Wesley and that has been a fault. Don't underestimate the D backs though as they have done very well all year one on one and tackle very well in the open field.

I thought that TMC might have the athletes to give UMHB trouble.  I was wrong there.  It was another "PresAC versus Texas" smack down.

We will see if Wesley has them.  Athletes at the skill and speed positions and the line play are most critical in this game.  I like UMHB's special teams, so that may be a wash.

Finally, who will have the fewest penalties?

[roocru]

umhbalum, wesley will also pose a threat with their receivers, i believe kraut is 6'4" and stevenson is close to that.  if umhb is having trouble covering the pass as i have read on here earlier in the year, then they may be chasing receivers all day.  this is going to be a real good one.

The pass defense is much improved.  had to get the young fellows some experience.

I submit that there is no better passing conference against whom young DB's must learn and perfect their game than the ASC.

HSU's Feaster, LaCollege's McCulloch and McMurry's "Mullin/Warren/Gunter/AirRaid" are among the finest in the country.

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2010&rpt=III_teampass&site=org&div=III&dest=O

#1 LaCollege, #2 McMurry and #8 Hardin-Simmons.

To take this a little further (stats do not include the last playoff game):

In conference play alone, UMHB faced seven teams ranking in the top 100 of passing offense (1,2,8,32,39,64,73).  The other two conference teams were ranked 125 and 136.  If you average those national rankings of the conference teams, it comes out to 90.6.  I have not done the rankings for every conference, but I doubt any other conference has that many quality passing teams.

   Wesley played seven NCAA teams during the regular season.  Their opponents had three in the top 100 passing rankings (43,63,91).  The others were 167,168,186 and 234.  The average of their opponents national rankings was 136.0.  This average is the same as the worst ranking team in the ASC.  

   The facts of UMHB's young secondary playing in a truly pass happy and effective passing league led to the lowest ranking pass defense for UMHB in several years.  Their rushing defense is good as usual with a current national ranking of 9th. (Wesley is 7th)

   The kicking teams may be the where the Cru has a real edge.  Their net punting is ranked 4th with a 37.69 average and Wesley is ranked 72nd at a 32.44 average.  In punt returns UMHB is ranked 7th with a 17.14 average and Wesley is ranked 73rd with a 10.26 average.  In KO returns UMHB is ranked 1st with a 30.12 average and Wesley is ranked 188th with a 17.32 average.  

   In the past four years, Wesley and UMHB have met three times.  Wesley won in 2006 by a score of 34-20.  UMHB won in 2007 and 2008 by scores of  27-10 and 46-14.  This game should be another real battle and looking at the 2010 bracket and their scores (Yes, I know that scores do not always mean that much! ) the winner of this game could really be a contender for the trip to Salem.

[Teamski]

Teamski you are probably right. UMHB will be completely intimidated and will tuck their tails and let Wesley cruise into the Semi's.


I hope that is the approach WC takes going into the game. UMHB prides themselves on being physical and running the ball. But now they have the ability to make u hurt if you put 8 in the box. Gonna be a battle, always is when these top tier programs get together. 

  Trust me, I know Wesley will be taking this game seriously.  We all know how UMBH handled Wesley the last two trips, so the gloves will be off on both sides in this next game.  It will be a good one for sure!


-Ski

[umhb2001]

umhb2001, i agree.  this is going to be an old fashioned dog fight.  the cru may be bringing the wood, but wesley will be bringing the whole tree.  there is no doubt that you have not faced a defense as good as this one this year.  some of your fans know me, so i dont just chirp if the chirping isnt werth it.  this is the best wesley team that i have seen.  good luck next week.

Well, the old addage is, "the bigger they are, the harder they fall." The Cru is playing it's best ball that I have seen. Yes I know we have had statistically tougher D's, but there is something about this team that can't be taught, you just learn it from expierience, and that is tinasity, heart, and endurance. No other team, aside from the Stagg Bowl year, has had it, and I really feel this one does.

[umhb2001]

Looking at UMHB's offense, it sure looks like they love to run.  If they are that one dimensional,  Wesley will have a field day.  This reminds me of Salisbury.  That said, I don't expect the Crusaders to go by a cookie-cutter playbook.  If there is anything I have found out about Wesley opponents it is that they will do just about everything to keep the D off balanced.....

-Ski

Ski, the Cru are NOT your older brother's Cru. They will pass the ball with confidence! WE are not one dimensional!

[wesleydad]

umhb2001, wesley is playing by far its best games now.  there is no comparison to the beginning of the year.  few penalties and turnovers have allowed them to dominate games.  if they play a clean game it will take an excellent effort from someone to beat them.

[umhb2001]

umhbalum, wesley will also pose a threat with their receivers, i believe kraut is 6'4" and stevenson is close to that.  if umhb is having trouble covering the pass as i have read on here earlier in the year, then they may be chasing receivers all day.  this is going to be a real good one.

The pass defense is much improved.  had to get the young fellows some experience.

I submit that there is no better passing conference against whom young DB's must learn and perfect their game than the ASC.

HSU's Feaster, LaCollege's McCulloch and McMurry's "Mullin/Warren/Gunter/AirRaid" are among the finest in the country.

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2010&rpt=III_teampass&site=org&div=III&dest=O

#1 LaCollege, #2 McMurry and #8 Hardin-Simmons.

To take this a little further (stats do not include the last playoff game):

In conference play alone, UMHB faced seven teams ranking in the top 100 of passing offense (1,2,8,32,39,64,73).  The other two conference teams were ranked 125 and 136.  If you average those national rankings of the conference teams, it comes out to 90.6.  I have not done the rankings for every conference, but I doubt any other conference has that many quality passing teams.

   Wesley played seven NCAA teams during the regular season.  Their opponents had three in the top 100 passing rankings (43,63,91).  The others were 167,168,186 and 234.  The average of their opponents national rankings was 136.0.  This average is the same as the worst ranking team in the ASC.  

   The facts of UMHB's young secondary playing in a truly pass happy and effective passing league led to the lowest ranking pass defense for UMHB in several years.  Their rushing defense is good as usual with a current national ranking of 9th. (Wesley is 7th)

   The kicking teams may be the where the Cru has a real edge.  Their net punting is ranked 4th with a 37.69 average and Wesley is ranked 72nd at a 32.44 average.  In punt returns UMHB is ranked 7th with a 17.14 average and Wesley is ranked 73rd with a 10.26 average.  In KO returns UMHB is ranked 1st with a 30.12 average and Wesley is ranked 188th with a 17.32 average.  

   In the past four years, Wesley and UMHB have met three times.  Wesley won in 2006 by a score of 34-20.  UMHB won in 2007 and 2008 by scores of  27-10 and 46-14.  This game should be another real battle and looking at the 2010 bracket and their scores (Yes, I know that scores do not always mean that much! ) the winner of this game could really be a contender for the trip to Salem.

Thanks RC for the stats. Much love +1!

[TxFight]

Just watching UMHB this year I thought to myself that someone in the ASC was bound to knock off the Cru.  McMurry outplayed UMHB everywhere but special teams, LC had a golden opportunity, and ETBU may have had the best chance of them all.  However, the Cru just kept finding ways to win with defense and special teams (defense picked off LC in endzone to preserve win, Special teams scored and blocked kicks against McMurry, and defense held out ETBU at end of regulation and in OT).  After the ETBU game, UMHB has just turned it up another notch (or ten) offensively to go along with stellar play on defense and with the special teams.  UMHB has put together 5 straight very solid all around performances so needless to say they are playing some outstanding football.  So with that being said...Go Cru!!! from your ASC counterparts in East Texas

[umhb2001]

umhb2001, wesley is playing by far its best games now.  there is no comparison to the beginning of the year.  few penalties and turnovers have allowed them to dominate games.  if they play a clean game it will take an excellent effort from someone to beat them.

You talk as if UMHB has no chance, as if we've done nothing nor accomplished nothing. We are playing our best football of the year. We've dominated the last 4-5 games. We fought through diversity late in games. We aren't here by chance. We've fought, scraped, and muscled our way through some of the most difficult situations in Cru football history. I know Wesley is good. I've seen it in years past, and though I've not seen them this year, I believe we can win because I see what we have done. We are big, fast, and strong and will come to play.

[BoBo]

http://www.tdtnews.com/story/2010/11/28/70538

Where's the video? I must've missed it.

[Toby Taff]

http://www.tdtnews.com/story/2010/11/28/70538

Where's the video? I must've missed it.

Sorry BoBo... no video.  that was a link to the article I was quoting.

This video is highlights from the game and shows Davis' first TD.  Pretty nifty little run:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kwtx.com%2Fvideo%3FautoStart%3Dtrue%26topVideoCatNo%3Ddefault%26clipId%3D5332775%26flvUri%26partnerclipid&h=be066

[Ralph Turner]

http://www.tdtnews.com/story/2010/11/28/70538

Where's the video? I must've missed it.

I hope that the UMHB SID submits it for the Video Play of the Week.

[Pat Coleman]

http://www.tdtnews.com/story/2010/11/28/70538

Where's the video? I must've missed it.

I hope that the UMHB SID submits it for the Video Play of the Week.

I've already been in contact with UMHB's video coordinator. All set.

[wesleydad]

umhb2001, where did i say umhb has no chance?  all i did was comment about how wesley is playing at this time as a response to several posts that made it sound as if umhb is playing much better than they were earlier in the year.  as someone who has seen umhb play 3 times, i am well aware of their abilities and how good they are likely to be.  i still stand by my statement that it will take an excellent effort by someone to beat wesley if wesley plays a clean game.  i did not say that umhb could not do that, maybe they can, but that is what it will take to beat wesley.  I am sure that you feel the same way about anyone beating umhb, but i would not take that as saying wesley has no chance.  i know toby, roocru, and a couple of others from umhb and i have been following their posts this year.  toby has mentioned that umhb is improved from the beginning of the year and since i respect his opinion having talked to him for a couple of years now then i expect a great football game if both teams play at the level they are playing at now.