FB: American Southwest Conference

[Bill McCabe]

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.

It doesn't matter how many talented wide receivers we have if we can't get the ball to them.  Even in the pistol, we have been much better running the ball.  We are guaranteed to lose some games if we keep turning the ball over.  Why we insist on passing when we have a lead is beyond me.  It certainly hasn't worked.  McMurry dared us to throw by putting everyone up close.  They couldn't stop the run, but they sure did stop the pass.

[Bill McCabe]

Toby,  You're right, there is a learning curve.  But was the offense so broken it needed a complete overhaul.  From what you've seen do you think this will get us to the semifinals or Stagg Bowl.  I think it is too bad because the D is playing well.  How many times have we gotten behind and had to rely on the passing game?  Is this the passing attack to catch up.  I've seen them turn the ball over repeatedly.

[CruFrenzy]

Bill, Maybe if we continue to turn over the ball as much as we have been, we'll make a change. But after seeing the way the CruPistol CAN be executed, I really hope that doesn't have to happen.

[Jerry Bawcom]

I tend to agree; we showed signs of running the ball well, like we used to run.  If we can end the penalties and adjust to blocking for the pass, the signs are there that this could work.

[TxFight]

ETBU has got to be one of the most talented teams I've seen but can't get out of their own way.  Hats of to TLU for capitalizing on mistakes.  ETBU has got to have a change somewhere somehow in their mindset or whatever if they want to achieve what talent wise they are capable of.

[crufootball]

I am liking the pistol offense so far because of the options it gives us and if LiDarrell can learn when to throw and when not to throw it could be very dangerous. One thing I hope we can use more in the future is Ervin Johnson, he was hurt during the first game and was not used too much during the McM game but he is just as tall as Damian Davis and now playing H Back.

However I think next week we will see more of the running game against HSU. So far this year they have given up 178, 284 and 267 yards of rushing offense.

[Bill McCabe]

I am liking the pistol offense so far because of the options it gives us and if LiDarrell can learn when to throw and when not to throw it could be very dangerous. One thing I hope we can use more in the future is Ervin Johnson, he was hurt during the first game and was not used too much during the McM game but he is just as tall as Damian Davis and now playing H Back.

However I think next week we will see more of the running game against HSU. So far this year they have given up 178, 284 and 267 yards of rushing offense.

Then I expect us to pass! 

[umhb2001]

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.

It doesn't matter how many talented wide receivers we have if we can't get the ball to them.  Even in the pistol, we have been much better running the ball.  We are guaranteed to lose some games if we keep turning the ball over.  Why we insist on passing when we have a lead is beyond me.  It certainly hasn't worked.  McMurry dared us to throw by putting everyone up close.  They couldn't stop the run, but they sure did stop the pass.

It's not that we can't, cause LB has a gun, the problem is mechanics. Several of his throws came on his back foot, and now that he is focusing on throwing, he is forgetting to run. There at least 2 times on balls that were incomplete that he could have run and had a good gain. He needs to remember his legs.

[Bill McCabe]

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.

It doesn't matter how many talented wide receivers we have if we can't get the ball to them.  Even in the pistol, we have been much better running the ball.  We are guaranteed to lose some games if we keep turning the ball over.  Why we insist on passing when we have a lead is beyond me.  It certainly hasn't worked.  McMurry dared us to throw by putting everyone up close.  They couldn't stop the run, but they sure did stop the pass.

It's not that we can't, cause LB has a gun, the problem is mechanics. Several of his throws came on his back foot, and now that he is focusing on throwing, he is forgetting to run. There at least 2 times on balls that were incomplete that he could have run and had a good gain. He needs to remember his legs.

So with a mechanics problem, we want to be in a spread offense.  I agree, he is an excellent runner and I think he was more effective in the I, under center.

[Ralph Turner]

I doubt that you will find a better corps of DB's than McMurry's.  That being the case, then isolate your tall WR's on the average D3 DB's.  Pulling the LB's into the line to defend against the run will make it easier to break a long one.

That is what I remember about the successful UMHB passing games of the past.

[peaster68]

I'm shocked that no one has mentioned Mississippi College's win over Hardin-Simmons.

[mcmfan]

I'm shocked that there seem to be no HSU fans on the board at all since that game!  Does it mean that MC is better than anyone thought, or HSU is weaker, or what? 

[DavidNichols]

MC had some freshmen step up in the Hardin-Simmons upset.  At the end of the first half, one of our rookies picked off a pass with under a minute to go at the MC 20 and returned it to the HSU 12 to set up a TD and give MC a 21-14 lead at the break.  MC would score the next 17 points in the 3rd quarter and build a lead they would not relinquish.  Steven Knight rushed for 181 yards and 3 TD.  Also caught four passes for 44 yards and a score.  This is the first game this year that the team has cut him loose after missing eight games last season due to injury.

Hardin-Simmons has a good team.  Their defense is stronger than the 45 points allowed.  Turnovers put them in tough spots.  Jay Wise is one of the top defensive backs in the league.  Made several big plays on Saturday.  If the offense can get rolling, they have a shot to get rolling, as well.  I look for Zach Stewart to get some more snaps for the Cowboys.  He was impressive in the late going.

It will be a big test this weekend in Pineville when MC and LC meet in the non-Texas Bowl.  This is the most wide open I have seen the conference in my 10 years at MC.  There are 5 or 6 teams with legitimate shots at winning the league, IMO.

Big weekend coming up with HSU-UMHB and MC-LC on the schedule.  It stands as almost an elimination game for the Cowboys in only Week 4.  ETBU and McM also face off.

[cover2]

Bill - I agree with you...I don't think an entire scheme change was necessary but rather some tweaks to make UMHB a more effective and efficient  passing team.  I don't think Bailey is the most accurate of passers either so changing courses on him 2 years in seems crazy.  On the drive that he threw the pick 6 they pounded the ball with Wilson for 40-50 yards to get where they were inside the 30 or whatever it was...absolutely no need to throw there.  Run the ball down their throats and ice the game with a TD.  Obviously, the passing game has to be a threat but I think UMHB was most successful when they ran the ball over and over again which brought the safeties up where the WR's had 1 on 1 matchups.  With their talent at WR that is a matchup any coach would take. 

[@d3jason]

Bill - I agree with you...I don't think an entire scheme change was necessary but rather some tweaks to make UMHB a more effective and efficient  passing team. 

I think what you are seeing are tweaks. From the webcast (which I grant buffers a lot , so you miss plays), they are still running the the familiar power and speed option, just from the pistol. The tight end and/or H-back can handle the same responsibilities as the fullback would. It also gives them the option to Davis, Galleske (who looked impressive) and Johnson (when he gets back.) It's a nice easy throw to the flank and gets the ball in the hands of talented players. Down field throws have never been their strength unless it's of play-action or throwing up a jump ball on three-step. I really don't think you are seeing a whole new offense. The quarterback is just lined up a little differently. Granted I wasn't there and could only watch parts of the webcast. Bottom line is Bailey needs to be smart with the football and they need to reduce penalties so they can stay out of 2-and-20 and 3rd and long situations where they need throw.