FB: American Southwest Conference

[Kelly Boggs]

"Louisiana College dismantles Millsaps, 56-0" http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20110918/SPORTS/109180343/Louisiana-College-dismantles-Millsaps-56-0

[umhb2001]

The pistol must go at UMHB.

How do you figure? 220+ yards says it works...

They are not a passing team.  There may be great receivers, but they still run the ball best.  Is the pistol really the best running formation.  It is one back.  Passing kept McMurry in the game.  The turnovers have come from the passing game.  It was passes that killed the drives and put the Cru in long yardage situations.  They had control of the game by running.  Wilson was unstoppable.

Again, 222 yards from Wilson and however many from Lidarrel. The passing game is needed in the playoffs and we must be successful at it to win.

[Toby Taff]

The pistol must go at UMHB.

How do you figure? 220+ yards says it works...

They are not a passing team.  There may be great receivers, but they still run the ball best.  Is the pistol really the best running formation.  It is one back.  Passing kept McMurry in the game.  The turnovers have come from the passing game.  It was passes that killed the drives and put the Cru in long yardage situations.  They had control of the game by running.  Wilson was unstoppable.

It wasn't the passing game that was the problem. 2 Ints were a problem, but the real drive stopper was penalties.I just looked at the drive charts and there were an awful lot of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th downs in the second half over 10 yards and there weren't many tackles for loss.

[roocru]

The pistol must go at UMHB.

How do you figure? 220+ yards says it works...

They are not a passing team.  There may be great receivers, but they still run the ball best.  Is the pistol really the best running formation.  It is one back.  Passing kept McMurry in the game.  The turnovers have come from the passing game.  It was passes that killed the drives and put the Cru in long yardage situations.  They had control of the game by running.  Wilson was unstoppable.

It wasn't the passing game that was the problem. 2 Ints were a problem, but the real drive stopper was penalties.I just looked at the drive charts and there were an awful lot of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th downs in the second half over 10 yards and there weren't many tackles for loss.

My point exactly!

[Bulldog_fo_life]

Texas Lutheran defeats ETBU 44-34 in first road win since 2008.

Go Bulldogs!!

[Bill McCabe]

A few thoughts on the Cru's move to the pistol.  Last year I thought the offense never had an identity about what they wanted to do offensively.  They kept switching from the I to the spread.

1.  511 yds of offense against UWLC, but only 27 points.  4 INTs.  They rushed for 220 yards and had no lost fumbles.

2.  461 yards of offense against McMurry, but 2 INTs and a fumble on a pass attempt.  28 points.

3.  The UMHB scoring offense has been woeful in the 2nd half scoring a total of 3 points in the 3rd quarters and 10 in the 4th quarters.  I believe this is due to trying to throw the ball.  In the past, when UMHB got a lead they pounded the ball on the ground and with good success.  We have controlled the LOS in the running game and the pistol is not the easiest formation to run out of.

4.  60% red zone TD scoring.

5.  A few examples from last night.  In the 1st quarter we had 1st and goal at the 2 and tried 2 passes on 2nd and 3rd down resulting in a lost fumble.  In the 3rd quarter, leading 28-6, we threw an interception that led to a McM TD.  Leading 28-14 in the 4th quarter and the ball at the McM 29, we throw a pick 6.  Wilson had just rushed for 13 yards the play before. 

I guess my concern is why the change in philosophy.  Because we couldn't out muscle Whitewater?  Neither could anyone else.  Our defense is playing well, but this offense will put a lot of pressure on them instead of the other way around.  Is the pistol going to be the offense that gets us past a Whitewater or Wesley.  Not from what I've seen.  McMurry's defense put all sorts of pressure on our passing game, but didn't come close to stopping the run.

[Bill McCabe]

The pistol must go at UMHB.

How do you figure? 220+ yards says it works...

They are not a passing team.  There may be great receivers, but they still run the ball best.  Is the pistol really the best running formation.  It is one back.  Passing kept McMurry in the game.  The turnovers have come from the passing game.  It was passes that killed the drives and put the Cru in long yardage situations.  They had control of the game by running.  Wilson was unstoppable.

It wasn't the passing game that was the problem. 2 Ints were a problem, but the real drive stopper was penalties.I just looked at the drive charts and there were an awful lot of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th downs in the second half over 10 yards and there weren't many tackles for loss.

It was the passing game.  You can't turn the ball over 7 times in 2 games and expect to beat very good teams.  McMurry never stopped the running game, but they certainly did the passing game.  138 yards and 3 turnovers.  UMHB has always had a lot of penalties, but not so many turnovers.

[Ralph Turner]

A word of caution...

If McMurry defensive coach Joe Lee Dunn can make the adjustments necessary to accomplish the shut down the UMHB offense with McMurry's talent after the lightning break, then I believe that UWW or MUC, with better talent and a good defensive coordinator, can do the same thing.

My comments are made as an ASC fan who wants a national championship.

[Bill McCabe]

A word of caution...

If McMurry defensive coach Joe Lee Dunn can make the adjustments necessary to accomplish the shut down the UMHB offense with McMurry's talent after the lightning break, then I believe that UWW or MUC, with better talent and a good defensive coordinator, can do the same thing.

My comments are made as an ASC fan who wants a national championship.

I agree with you Ralph.  This not to take anything away from McMurry.  The had a great effort and might have won the game if they kick instead of going for 2.  UMHB did not handle the pressure at all from the McMurry D when they tried to pass.  I don't see how anyone can be happy with 7 turnovers in 2 games, all due to the passing game.

[Bill McCabe]

The pistol must go at UMHB.

How do you figure? 220+ yards says it works...

They are not a passing team.  There may be great receivers, but they still run the ball best.  Is the pistol really the best running formation.  It is one back.  Passing kept McMurry in the game.  The turnovers have come from the passing game.  It was passes that killed the drives and put the Cru in long yardage situations.  They had control of the game by running.  Wilson was unstoppable.

It wasn't the passing game that was the problem. 2 Ints were a problem, but the real drive stopper was penalties.I just looked at the drive charts and there were an awful lot of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th downs in the second half over 10 yards and there weren't many tackles for loss.

Toby, INTs are a part of the passing game and they led directly to 2 TDs for McMurry.  I don't understand this change in thinking offensively.

[CruFrenzy]

A few thoughts on the Cru's move to the pistol.  Last year I thought the offense never had an identity about what they wanted to do offensively.  They kept switching from the I to the spread.

1.  511 yds of offense against UWLC, but only 27 points.  4 INTs.  They rushed for 220 yards and had no lost fumbles.

2.  461 yards of offense against McMurry, but 2 INTs and a fumble on a pass attempt.  28 points.

3.  The UMHB scoring offense has been woeful in the 2nd half scoring a total of 3 points in the 3rd quarters and 10 in the 4th quarters.  I believe this is due to trying to throw the ball.  In the past, when UMHB got a lead they pounded the ball on the ground and with good success.  We have controlled the LOS in the running game and the pistol is not the easiest formation to run out of.

4.  60% red zone TD scoring.

5.  A few examples from last night.  In the 1st quarter we had 1st and goal at the 2 and tried 2 passes on 2nd and 3rd down resulting in a lost fumble.  In the 3rd quarter, leading 28-6, we threw an interception that led to a McM TD.  Leading 28-14 in the 4th quarter and the ball at the McM 29, we throw a pick 6.  Wilson had just rushed for 13 yards the play before. 

I guess my concern is why the change in philosophy.  Because we couldn't out muscle Whitewater?  Neither could anyone else.  Our defense is playing well, but this offense will put a lot of pressure on them instead of the other way around.  Is the pistol going to be the offense that gets us past a Whitewater or Wesley.  Not from what I've seen.  McMurry's defense put all sorts of pressure on our passing game, but didn't come close to stopping the run.

The reason the point totals arent high enough is because of those fumbles, interceptions, and penalties. If you look at the time BEFORE the lightning break and the way the offense was running against a good McMurry defense, THAT is what coach Fred is trying to do ALL the time. They didnt have all those penalties and turnovers until later in the game and thats what stopped our offense.

[Jerry Bawcom]

Penalties and interceptions are what turned the tide for UMHB's second half.  Success in the running game can usually open up the passing game.  It seemed to me with McMurry stacking the line that the midfield was wide open, expecially for the two tall receivers for UMHB.  One thing you can say is that Fredenburg and the Cru usually find a way to win, no matter what the penalty and interception deterents bring.
Work hard this week, Cru, another big one is coming Saturday!

[Bill McCabe]

A few thoughts on the Cru's move to the pistol.  Last year I thought the offense never had an identity about what they wanted to do offensively.  They kept switching from the I to the spread.

1.  511 yds of offense against UWLC, but only 27 points.  4 INTs.  They rushed for 220 yards and had no lost fumbles.

2.  461 yards of offense against McMurry, but 2 INTs and a fumble on a pass attempt.  28 points.

3.  The UMHB scoring offense has been woeful in the 2nd half scoring a total of 3 points in the 3rd quarters and 10 in the 4th quarters.  I believe this is due to trying to throw the ball.  In the past, when UMHB got a lead they pounded the ball on the ground and with good success.  We have controlled the LOS in the running game and the pistol is not the easiest formation to run out of.

4.  60% red zone TD scoring.

5.  A few examples from last night.  In the 1st quarter we had 1st and goal at the 2 and tried 2 passes on 2nd and 3rd down resulting in a lost fumble.  In the 3rd quarter, leading 28-6, we threw an interception that led to a McM TD.  Leading 28-14 in the 4th quarter and the ball at the McM 29, we throw a pick 6.  Wilson had just rushed for 13 yards the play before. 

I guess my concern is why the change in philosophy.  Because we couldn't out muscle Whitewater?  Neither could anyone else.  Our defense is playing well, but this offense will put a lot of pressure on them instead of the other way around.  Is the pistol going to be the offense that gets us past a Whitewater or Wesley.  Not from what I've seen.  McMurry's defense put all sorts of pressure on our passing game, but didn't come close to stopping the run.

The reason the point totals arent high enough is because of those fumbles, interceptions, and penalties. If you look at the time BEFORE the lightning break and the way the offense was running against a good McMurry defense, THAT is what coach Fred is trying to do ALL the time. They didnt have all those penalties and turnovers until later in the game and thats what stopped our offense.

We had turnovers because we tried to throw the ball.  Why are we doing that?  We have had 52 passing attempts and 6 interceptions.  That's one INT for every 8.6 passes.  Would we be satisfied if we lost a fumble every 8.6 carries.  It is a high risk offense.  Oh, and the only lost fumble was on a passing attempt.

[Bill McCabe]

A few thoughts on the Cru's move to the pistol.  Last year I thought the offense never had an identity about what they wanted to do offensively.  They kept switching from the I to the spread.

1.  511 yds of offense against UWLC, but only 27 points.  4 INTs.  They rushed for 220 yards and had no lost fumbles.

2.  461 yards of offense against McMurry, but 2 INTs and a fumble on a pass attempt.  28 points.

3.  The UMHB scoring offense has been woeful in the 2nd half scoring a total of 3 points in the 3rd quarters and 10 in the 4th quarters.  I believe this is due to trying to throw the ball.  In the past, when UMHB got a lead they pounded the ball on the ground and with good success.  We have controlled the LOS in the running game and the pistol is not the easiest formation to run out of.

4.  60% red zone TD scoring.

5.  A few examples from last night.  In the 1st quarter we had 1st and goal at the 2 and tried 2 passes on 2nd and 3rd down resulting in a lost fumble.  In the 3rd quarter, leading 28-6, we threw an interception that led to a McM TD.  Leading 28-14 in the 4th quarter and the ball at the McM 29, we throw a pick 6.  Wilson had just rushed for 13 yards the play before. 

I guess my concern is why the change in philosophy.  Because we couldn't out muscle Whitewater?  Neither could anyone else.  Our defense is playing well, but this offense will put a lot of pressure on them instead of the other way around.  Is the pistol going to be the offense that gets us past a Whitewater or Wesley.  Not from what I've seen.  McMurry's defense put all sorts of pressure on our passing game, but didn't come close to stopping the run.

The reason the point totals arent high enough is because of those fumbles, interceptions, and penalties. If you look at the time BEFORE the lightning break and the way the offense was running against a good McMurry defense, THAT is what coach Fred is trying to do ALL the time. They didnt have all those penalties and turnovers until later in the game and thats what stopped our offense.

CruFrenzy, my whole point is the turnovers came on passes.  Why are we throwing the ball with a 3 TD lead against a team that can score in a hurry.  6 INTs is too many.

[Toby Taff]

Bill,
I get your position. I love watching the Cru pound the rock, but I also have watched the Cru get behind and not have a passing game that can vet us back in it. The only way passing gets better is by passing. There's a learning curve, but I like most of what I've seen. The primary attack is still the run, but the run doesnt take advantage of our talented wrs. I think that before this season is up, the pistol offense will explode in a good way. I think we've seen glimpses of it, I.e. The first half before the lightening delay, and I think well see more and more as the team gets used to it.