FB: American Southwest Conference

[Kelly Boggs]

We will see where LC really is after this week's game with MC. The game with Belhaven was played during Tropical Storm Lee and was just a soaking mess; very hard to assess a team in those conditions. This past Saturday the Wildcat's totally dominated Millsaps. The defense was impressive in holding the Majors to 190 yards of offense. It is without a doubt the best D I have seen at LC since moving to Central Louisiana in '06.

The offense looked solid. New QB Jamie Bunting did a good managing the game. He passed and ran well. Parker and Williams are exceptional wide-outs (tall and fast) and are complimented by several other solid receivers. The running game is also the best I've seen in the five years I have been watching the Wildcats. The line blocked well and LC used 4 backs in the game and each did a great job running the ball.

The game was 35-0 by the end of the third quarter and LC rested the starters in the 4th. Great opportunity for some back-ups to see some playing time. 

[Bill McCabe]

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.

Conrad, this is not a tweak in my opinion.  For the past 2 or 3 seasons, UMHB has been moving away from the I to the spread with mixed results.  I thought last year they had no identity on offense as to what type of team they wanted to be.  The pistol is a pass first philosophy.  Evidence of this is the 2 INTs thrown in the 2nd half.  The pick 6 came on 1st down at the McMurry 29.  Wilson had just rushed for 13 yards.  In the past, UMHB would have pounded the ball down their throat and then maybe tried a play action pass.  The only way McMurry was getting back into the game was for the Cru to turnover the ball.

They have not used the tight end as an H back.  Three wides, TE and one back.  Not the same as being in the I with a Fullback.  The fullback at UMHB has been a position that I think has given them an advantage.  Also, absent this year is the 2 TE set.  By no means is the pistol a power offense.

This offense is putting much more pressure on the defense.  7 turnovers is a lot of possessions to give up, plus the field position.  The defense will give up some scores, like all do, but they again are a strength of this team.

[dsc]

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

I agree.  I was one of the first to report the score (ASC Updates 9-17-2011, 10:02:07 p.m)  Saturday night...expecting to find a deluge of emails!!!  None!  I do know that 4 turnovers and another pass interception (maybe more)...do not help in winning games.  Also, I think that HSU is probably reviewing the quarterback situation...for a possible change...not sure though...anyone closer to the Forty Acres might can tell us.  This week is HUGE for the Cowboys! 

All ASC teams seem to be improving!!!  ...and of course, I do want to congratulate the Choctaws...great win for them, for sure!

Go HSU!!!

[cowboyfan]

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.

David,

Nice post my friend. I was very impressed with the way MC capitalized on our mistakes. I thought they played a good game and as you said several underclassmen stepped up and had a big game. If i were a MC fan i'd be very pleased today. Nice squad. BTW the video feed was great. I watched the entire game with no lag or buffering. Kept logging on the D3 during breaks and hearing all the complaints about MCM Vs UMHB and the buffering. I share your opinion i think we will see a change at QB this week. Nothing at all against Taylor, he's a great kid and solid competitor. Wouldn't suprise me to see HSU revisit the two headed monster theme from before the Jordan Neal days. Good luck to everyone. Congrats again to MC on a very well deserved win.

Go Cowboys


To address another question i read on the board... HSU is not weak. They got thumped my a very good football team playing much better than we did and capitalizing on our mistakes. The ASC is getting so much better. Ralph you sure you wanna leave all this?

[T.Shawn]

It has been a couple of weeks since my last post.  I have been a little shell shocked and in mourning, my son was the starting receiver who got a tibia/fibula fracture on the kickoff last week in Oregon.  Had surgery in Oregon and we got Colton home late last Sunday/night Monday and it has been a whirlwind trying to get everything done for him.  Hopefully a redshirt/medical waiver is in the cards.  But just from his perspective and the mistakes did contribute, leadership will be a big issue this week.  No one thinks they can't comeback.  I don't know about the qb situation being revisited.  Zach, is taller, less suspect when it comes to pressure and having to respond quickly.  I know from having been at the previous two games, height of Taylor on blitzes made his viewing anyone but his comfortable target an issue and MC did a great job of taking away that option but I still think that T Bird has the inside track.  I hope it will be revisited just because Zach brings some other elements to the table.  The two fumbled punts can't be placed on Taylor and the offense.  Makes it real hard for defense to continue its process with those situations.  This week will be a big week, but it just proves the point that I have been trying to make the last couple of weeks, No one outside of the ASC seems to give credit for just how tough getting through the conference really is.  Go Cowboys. 

[Ralph Turner]

Our prayers go with you.

I have a strong stomach for many things e.g., blood, guts, odors, cancer, stillbirths, congenital anomalies, etc., but human carpentry just makes me viscerally weak.

[gobulldogs4021]

No one is surprised by the TLU vs. ETBU game?

[Ron Boerger]

No one is surprised by the TLU vs. ETBU game?

No one is surprised by the TLU vs. Trinity game?

[Ralph Turner]

No one is surprised by the TLU vs. ETBU game?

No one is surprised by the TLU vs. Trinity game?

TLU caught Mr Hyde. I hope that Dr Jekyll doesn't show up against McMurry this weekend.

[Toby Taff]

Listening to the Hal Mumme show and Mumme just said that he thought the lightening break helped them. Actually said they were playing so bad nothing could have hurt them. Said that he thought the DC made some very good adjustments during the break.

[Ralph Turner]

Listening to the Hal Mumme show and Mumme just said that he thought the lightening break helped them. Actually said they were playing so bad nothing could have hurt them. Said that he thought the DC made some very good adjustments during the break.

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 thought so...

[mcmfan]

Saturday looks to be critical for McM as well as HSU.  How good are we?  We played great against UTSA and in the second half against UMHB, but collapsed against SFA and UMHB until the storm.  Comparisons are hard to make: SFA has lost all their games since playing us, UTSA has beaten only Northeastern State in OK (which, I note, has lost all their games so far except against Bacone, not much to crow about).  ETBU seems to be having the same consistency as McM problems right now.  Which team on Saturday will finally pull it together for a full hour?

[@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.

Conrad, this is not a tweak in my opinion.  For the past 2 or 3 seasons, UMHB has been moving away from the I to the spread with mixed results.  I thought last year they had no identity on offense as to what type of team they wanted to be.  The pistol is a pass first philosophy.  Evidence of this is the 2 INTs thrown in the 2nd half.  The pick 6 came on 1st down at the McMurry 29.  Wilson had just rushed for 13 yards.  In the past, UMHB would have pounded the ball down their throat and then maybe tried a play action pass.  The only way McMurry was getting back into the game was for the Cru to turnover the ball.

They have not used the tight end as an H back.  Three wides, TE and one back.  Not the same as being in the I with a Fullback.  The fullback at UMHB has been a position that I think has given them an advantage.  Also, absent this year is the 2 TE set.  By no means is the pistol a power offense.

This offense is putting much more pressure on the defense.  7 turnovers is a lot of possessions to give up, plus the field position.  The defense will give up some scores, like all do, but they again are a strength of this team.

Good offenses evolve and adapt to the available talent. They must feel they need to better utilize their receiving talent.
The "I" didn't do them much good last year against Wesley, gaining only about 65 yards in the first half and only 9 points total. I know it is much easier to game plan for a "I" team than it is for a team that giving you multiple formations. The pistol is not necessarily a pass offense and neither is the spread is not necessarily a pass offense either (ie West Virginia under Rich Rod). The idea is make them defense defend the whole field. Granted ,they probably have thrown more than they needed to but it could help them down the line.

No disrespect intended to your opinions and I enjoy the discussion.

[TxFight]

Saturday looks to be critical for McM as well as HSU.  How good are we?  We played great against UTSA and in the second half against UMHB, but collapsed against SFA and UMHB until the storm.  Comparisons are hard to make: SFA has lost all their games since playing us, UTSA has beaten only Northeastern State in OK (which, I note, has lost all their games so far except against Bacone, not much to crow about).  ETBU seems to be having the same consistency as McM problems right now.  Which team on Saturday will finally pull it together for a full hour?

ETBU just can't out of their own way...in their 2 losses they've out gained their opponents by over 300 yards combined.  It seems like they can't figure out who they want to be.  In my own personal opinion they aren't going to win many games with Harris throwing the ball 50 times (26-41 vs. Wesley, 27-50 v. TLU).  I understand that you can't be one dimensional, but Harris isn't a drop back passer.  He is most dangerous when he gets out in space or is isolated on defenders  (ie all the different variations of read plays that i've seen them run 3 or 4 times a game).  And by no means is this a negative on Harris, the kid is the best athlete on the field no matter who ETBU is playing.  I would just like to see him be more used for what he is good at instead of trying to make him into what he is not. 

[Toby Taff]

Saturday looks to be critical for McM as well as HSU.  How good are we?  We played great against UTSA and in the second half against UMHB, but collapsed against SFA and UMHB until the storm.  Comparisons are hard to make: SFA has lost all their games since playing us, UTSA has beaten only Northeastern State in OK (which, I note, has lost all their games so far except against Bacone, not much to crow about).  ETBU seems to be having the same consistency as McM problems right now.  Which team on Saturday will finally pull it together for a full hour?

ETBU just can't out of their own way...in their 2 losses they've out gained their opponents by over 300 yards combined.  It seems like they can't figure out who they want to be.  In my own personal opinion they aren't going to win many games with Harris throwing the ball 50 times (26-41 vs. Wesley, 27-50 v. TLU).  I understand that you can't be one dimensional, but Harris isn't a drop back passer.  He is most dangerous when he gets out in space or is isolated on defenders  (ie all the different variations of read plays that i've seen them run 3 or 4 times a game).  And by no means is this a negative on Harris, the kid is the best athlete on the field no matter who ETBU is playing.  I would just like to see him be more used for what he is good at instead of trying to make him into what he is not.

Mumme's comments on ETBU: 3rd pistol team in a row. Said Harris is probably the better QB between Harris and Bailey, but Bailey has the better team around him.