FB: American Southwest Conference

[Bill McCabe]

For the record, the Cru has completed 70% of its passes this season. There have been too many ints, some of which were poor throws, some that looked like miscommunications, and some that were just good defensive plays. Last week, LB was 16-20 and 200+ yards, bubble screens or not. 1 of the incompletions was LB throwing the ball away to prevent a sack. I know watching a change in offense when the offense wasn't "broken" is frustrating, but the pistol is helping the passing game and hasn't slowed the running game too much either. I keep thinking of the MC game that UMHB lost LBs freshman year when the Cru was horribly one dimensional and paid the price. I want to see an effective passing game (obviously minus the ints), and right now the pistol seems to be giving that.

I agree with Toby on this one, this offense while it is having some problems will allow the Cru to have options if a team can load the box and stop our running backs. Believe me I love to see the Cru running all over a team but that has not and will not work deep in the playoffs, we have to be able to keep defenses honest.

Another stat to look at is the Cru is averaging 472 yards a game against teams that were the #1 (McM) and #2 (HSU) defenses by total defense last year. Give the coaches some more time to work with LiDarral in game situations and it could be great.

How can you say this hasn't worked?  We lost to Whitewater and Wesley deep in the playoffs?  The offense I have seen this year will not take us very far.  And I would argue it has been our passing game that has gotten us into trouble, not the running game. 

After one of the Whitewater games, Coach Fred said we needed to be more physical.  Not in the pistol.  McMurry's defense put all sorts of pressure on our QB.  Will it suddenly be easier against a team like Whitewater.

[Bill McCabe]

The last time that the Cru got to the Stagg Bowl, they had sufficient passing to get past MUC and come from behind in the snow. 

I don't think that running alone can get them back to the Stagg, and this group of players will need to develop more of a passing game, then they have thru the first month of the season.

As an ASC fan, I want a Stagg Bowl Championship!

Ralph, it was defense and a solid running game that won the Mount Union game.  Carter, the 3rd team running back, made a great run on the option to set up one score.  The final touchdown was a great throw and an even better catch.  Our passing was 9-21-1 for 169 yards.  308 yards rushing.  The last 3 times Mount had the ball they did nothing.

[crufootball]

For the record, the Cru has completed 70% of its passes this season. There have been too many ints, some of which were poor throws, some that looked like miscommunications, and some that were just good defensive plays. Last week, LB was 16-20 and 200+ yards, bubble screens or not. 1 of the incompletions was LB throwing the ball away to prevent a sack. I know watching a change in offense when the offense wasn't "broken" is frustrating, but the pistol is helping the passing game and hasn't slowed the running game too much either. I keep thinking of the MC game that UMHB lost LBs freshman year when the Cru was horribly one dimensional and paid the price. I want to see an effective passing game (obviously minus the ints), and right now the pistol seems to be giving that.

I agree with Toby on this one, this offense while it is having some problems will allow the Cru to have options if a team can load the box and stop our running backs. Believe me I love to see the Cru running all over a team but that has not and will not work deep in the playoffs, we have to be able to keep defenses honest.

Another stat to look at is the Cru is averaging 472 yards a game against teams that were the #1 (McM) and #2 (HSU) defenses by total defense last year. Give the coaches some more time to work with LiDarral in game situations and it could be great.

How can you say this hasn't worked?  We lost to Whitewater and Wesley deep in the playoffs?  The offense I have seen this year will not take us very far.  And I would argue it has been our passing game that has gotten us into trouble, not the running game. 

After one of the Whitewater games, Coach Fred said we needed to be more physical.  Not in the pistol.  McMurry's defense put all sorts of pressure on our QB.  Will it suddenly be easier against a team like Whitewater.

I can say it hasn't worked because I have seen us lose to UW-W and Wesley deep in the playoffs because they could stop our rushing attack and then when we tried to pass we couldn't because we never had too.

Mainly I don't care what formation we use, however I like that this offense seems to let us be able to run like we want to but pass if we need to. Again I will stress that I want us to run the ball many more times than we pass but if we can pass effectively 15 to 20 times a game I think this can work very well.

I think as the coaching staff and LiDarral have more time to work on this offense the more often it is going to look like the HSU game in which we mainly ran and threw short to mid range passes.

[Bill McCabe]

crufootball,  he is a junior, so I don't see any overnight changes coming.  Going back to his freshman year, in the 1st 3 games he and Noack were 37-48, no INTs and 3 TDs.  What is different this year?  The pistol.  No doubt he is a very talented QB, but the pistol does not utilize what he does best.  Do our QBs remind anyone of Feaster, Mullen, Shaffer or Neal?

Looking back at 2003 and 2004, the Cru had thrown for 4 TDs and 2 INTs.  PJ Williams caught 33 passes and 44 passes.  Austin Schraeder caught 19 and 31. 33 TDs between them for the year.  That was out of an I formation, run first mentality.  Not too bad.  Put those 2 teams in the pistol and you have very different results in my opinion.  No one has convinced me that the pistol is a better offense.  The stats certainly don't back that up.  I've seen a lot of teams over the years throw for a lot of yards, but fail to score or put the other team away.  That wasn't the case when the Cru operated out of the I.  Like I said before, if it ain't broke don't fix it. 

[crufootball]

Bill, I don't want LiDarral to remind you of Feaster, Mullen, Shaffer or Neal, I want him to remind you of Andy Pardon and Josh Welch who threw the ball 10 to 20 times a game.

Also in 2004 we had 3 All-American offensive lineman to clear the way for All-American Bryson Tucker and a very good Freddie Rollins. Now in 2011 we had to replace 3 very good starting offensive linemen and Darius Wilson at 5-7 180 is much better at running around people rather than over people.

[Bill McCabe]

Bill, I don't want LiDarral to remind you of Feaster, Mullen, Shaffer or Neal, I want him to remind you of Andy Pardon and Josh Welch who threw the ball 10 to 20 times a game.

Also in 2004 we had 3 All-American offensive lineman to clear the way for All-American Bryson Tucker and a very good Freddie Rollins. Now in 2011 we had to replace 3 very good starting offensive linemen and Darius Wilson at 5-7 180 is much better at running around people rather than over people.

So how does going to the pistol make sense.  Padron and Welch didn't work out of the pistol.  As long as we are in the pistol, I don't think he will remind me of any of those QBs.  Wilson is an excellent back.  Give him a fullback and another tight end at times and lets see how he does.

[CruAlum58]

Bill, I don't want LiDarral to remind you of Feaster, Mullen, Shaffer or Neal, I want him to remind you of Andy Pardon and Josh Welch who threw the ball 10 to 20 times a game.

Also in 2004 we had 3 All-American offensive lineman to clear the way for All-American Bryson Tucker and a very good Freddie Rollins. Now in 2011 we had to replace 3 very good starting offensive linemen and Darius Wilson at 5-7 180 is much better at running around people rather than over people.

It was Justin Bryson and there were five pretty good linemen IMO. I agree with Bill on how the Mount Union game was won. 33 plays to MUC 9 in the fourth quarter. It was bowing our necks and sticking to our game plan.

However, I believe in Pete and the rest of the coaches to try and put their players in the best position to win a National Championship. They are constantly working to improve each and every week.

[crufootball]

My apologizes for the wrong Bryson, and you are right about it being a great line all the way down.

Bottom line Coach Pete and the other coaches will make the necessary changes and I think they are using our current roster the best way they know how.

[Ralph Turner]

But your completions in the MUC game were for 21 yds per catch and 8 yds per attempt!

In a run-heavy offense, that is good.

The pistol needs that quality.  I think that LiDarral needs to time to develop that skill.

I also think that the ASC gets 2 bids this season.  UMHB will need the versatility.

[Jerry Bawcom]

Having a good history can provide motivation and tradition, but the kids on field this season have to perform.  It seems to me that the UMHB coaches are trying to put the best kids where they can perform the best and give them the opportunity and coaching to improve each week.  Hopefully they will improve even more this week.  It also appeared that the CRU had some jitters playing against a tough team; fumbles, interceptions, and miscues show up even more sometimes when you are pushing the envelope and not playing relaxed.
Go CRU !!!

[Kelly Boggs]

I have two concerns about LC coming into Saturday's game. One has to do with turnovers and the other is psychological.

The Wildcats have had too many turnovers in its first three games. LC had 5 against MC including a blocked punt. If the Cats turn the ball over against UMHB, The Cru will make them pay dearly for it. In order for LC to win on Saturday it must protect the ball.

The psychological aspect is intriguing to me. 

LC has beaten every team in the ASC with the exception of UMHB. Last year's game was a nail biter that LC could have won, but as often is the case The Cru found a way to win. UMHB's reputation and tradition of winning in the ASC is an intangible that can work to psych-out and intimidate an opponent. 

Last year's game could provide LC with the confidence it needs in order to come to Belton and overcome the intimidation factor and do something it has yet to do, defeat UMHB.

If the Wildcats can protect the ball and keep the psychological aspect of the game in check, they will have an opportunity to win. If they turn the ball over and get distracted by who they are playing, it will be tough day in Central Texas for the Cats.

[Bill McCabe]

I expect turnovers and special teams will be the difference in the game.

[Kelly Boggs]

I give UMHB the edge in special teams play. Historically, The Cru has excelled in the special teams aspect of the game.

[Jerry Bawcom]

The CRU will need to eliminate fumbles this week; they had six last week and luckily only lost one!

[CruFrenzy]

It doesnt make very much sense to me why the Coach's Poll doesnt have LC ranked... i wonder why that would be.