FB: American Southwest Conference

[zipmac22]

I have to agree with Cover2...the refs were missing a lot of calls! Every O line will hold from time to time, but to see all the holding going on by Fisher's O line through my binoculars I don't know how refs missed so many of them? Don't they use the better D3 officiating crews for the playoffs? If that's the case I think someone isn't doing their job picking out the crews.

[umhb2001]

Long time follower. Finally decided to create an account. Proud of the CRU for finding a way to win. I was unable to be at the game today.  Question: Was Anderson pulled to try and find a spark on offense? Or, was he injured?  SJF played a really good game. You can tell they are a well coached team.

No injury, he just wasn't being effective leading the offense. When our center went down, that changed the way our line was functioning. That led to a stagnant offense and when Gallagher came in, it just brought a new breath and energy to the offense. I was concerned when I saw the switch, but it's what we needed to put the game away. In the post game interviews, Zach said he had an off day.

Where did you see the post game interviews? I wish they were recorded and put on YouTube like other schools.

[couchcru11]

Long time follower. Finally decided to create an account. Proud of the CRU for finding a way to win. I was unable to be at the game today.  Question: Was Anderson pulled to try and find a spark on offense? Or, was he injured?  SJF played a really good game. You can tell they are a well coached team.

No injury, he just wasn't being effective leading the offense. When our center went down, that changed the way our line was functioning. That led to a stagnant offense and when Gallagher came in, it just brought a new breath and energy to the offense. I was concerned when I saw the switch, but it's what we needed to put the game away. In the post game interviews, Zach said he had an off day.

Where did you see the post game interviews? I wish they were recorded and put on YouTube like other schools.

UMHB used to post them, but haven't since the Wesley game. I heard that from the journalist who was in the room. We chatted a bit at the basketball game tonight.

[Pat Coleman]

So does anyone know what will be brought into the NCAA's decision of who is hosting the semi-final next week? Does our lack luster offensive performance hurt us in the eyes of the NCAA? Also because UWW definitely had a more impressive win just based on strength of opponent this week. Or has the decision been pre-determined? Just trying to get a good guess on where this one will be

According to the NCAA rep at the UW-W game today, there will be a meeting tomorrow morning (I'm assuming that means conference call) and the decision will be announced by noon.  I'm not 100% clear on how this works either. The call could be to decide the hosts or the call could be just to make 100% sure they are all on the same page,"This is what we decided, right?".  It seems like if it were completely predetermined, they would save all of us a lot of trouble by simply telling us when the brackets are released.  But,who knows! 

It does seem as if this extra conference layer of decision-making, which came in a couple years ago, is just to rubber-stamp what was already decided.

As you may recall, for many years it was indeed already decided when seeds were announced.
Then for a year, maybe two, they opened the weekend with "if-then" scenarios. (If XXXXXX advances, they host. If they lose and YYYYY beats ZZZZZ then YYYYY hosts, etc.)
Then recently, they aren't even willing to commit to that and hold onto that last bit of information so that none of us can book seven-day advance fares on Saturday afternoons.

[zipmac22]

One would think that the NCAA would like to have as many fans in the stands as possible. One major way they can do that is by letting people know ahead of time where the games are going to be played. I know that a lot more fans would be willing to fly to games if they were able to get a better air fare they would be more willing to buy a ticket for the game. I say stop the games and put all your cards down on the table and come clean!

[Pat Coleman]

One would think that the NCAA would like to have as many fans in the stands as possible.

Unfortunately, this is not really part of the process. The fan experience is about the last thing the NCAA cares about in Division III.

[roocru]

Long time follower. Finally decided to create an account. Proud of the CRU for finding a way to win. I was unable to be at the game today.  Question: Was Anderson pulled to try and find a spark on offense? Or, was he injured?  SJF played a really good game. You can tell they are a well coached team.

No injury, he just wasn't being effective leading the offense. When our center went down, that changed the way our line was functioning. That led to a stagnant offense and when Gallagher came in, it just brought a new breath and energy to the offense. I was concerned when I saw the switch, but it's what we needed to put the game away. In the post game interviews, Zach said he had an off day.

SJF fans,

Please do not take these comments as negative to your defense.  I am sure they had something to do with "Anderson's off day" but he absolutely played poorly today.  He was uncharacteristically missing open receivers, making poor reads on both the zone and speed options and once he even broke outside on a down field block (on a scramble) and ran right into the DB who was being blocked outside by the wide receiver.  He has had a great season before this game and I know he will do better in the future.  However, IMHO he was a major contributor to the lack of consistency in today's offense.  Once Gallagher came in he made the reads and we moved the ball right down the field.  As someone once said it is great to have a senior backup much like Andy Padron was in 2004.

[Olinemom]

Congrats, Roucru!! Glad your team won and is continuing toward the championship game!! I don't like having 2 of my favorite teams playing against each other while Mount Union gets the easier route (like usual). I hope the game is well fought with no injuries on either side and that you will be able to make it to Salem this year. I already have my room and tickets to the 2 banquets and game. I hope to see others there as well!!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Congrats, Roucru!! Glad your team won and is continuing toward the championship game!! I don't like having 2 of my favorite teams playing against each other while Mount Union gets the easier route (like usual). I hope the game is well fought with no injuries on either side and that you will be able to make it to Salem this year. I already have my room and tickets to the 2 banquets and game. I hope to see others there as well!!

Um, UMU does NOT have the easier route.  They ain't coming to Salem.

No more dissing of NCC.

[JOUSTERinVA]

My two cents... the WWU / UMHB game should be played at the #2 seed's place.  If that is WWU, so be it.  If it is UMHB, so be it.  What is with all the mystery?  Not telling everyone who the top 4 seeds are, in order, when the brackets come out smacks of politics for the sake of $ or who knows what.  Why can't the NCAA just announce it at the beginning of the playoffs and live with it?  I think UMHB is probably the #2 seed.  But if they are not, then off to WWU.  So what?  Let people know ahead of time so cheaper airfares, plans, etc. can be dealt with.  SMH...  SMH.   

[JOUSTERinVA]

One would think that the NCAA would like to have as many fans in the stands as possible.

Unfortunately, this is not really part of the process. The fan experience is about the last thing the NCAA cares about in Division III.

Sadly Pat, you are correct.  The NCAA--Experts in making the simple, complex.

[Jerry Bawcom]

Why don't they make the announcement and let us get on with the parade!!!  UMHB will play where ever they say.  Go CRU !!!

[tsgktx]

I agree. If we are waiting for a phone call, why was it not made yesterday after the last game? We were the last game and it was over by 3:30 central. The call could have been made yesterday evening and all questions would be answered.

[cover2]

Looks like UMHB will host and kickoff is at 2:30 local.

[crufootball]

Where did you see that?