FB: American Southwest Conference

[olddog]

Thank Cru fans, even though the first two game were rough for us, the boys loved playing at your place last year. I think they want a full house too...makes it fun...
The only we hope we have is our offense can move the ball and catch a break or two on missed assignments. I doubt you will give us the mistakes made last week.

[DFWCrufan]

I spoke with my daughter last night from campus, she said there is a lot of anticipation for this game, Like I mentioned it is the home opener and Military appreciation, but for the incoming class of 2018 this is their first game, and it's a big class....I am so looking forward to the D Show, although the O get's the press this D line is great to watch and I'm interested to see how things shape up from game 1.

[umhb2001]

I would expect a packed house, dunno about sell out, tickets at  least from the CRU side are getting really scarce in most sections. Alot is going on, First home game, Military Recognition day as well so we'll also have military families attending the game. But I would bet the crowd is gonna be loud and alive....

Morrgen, great to have you on the board!

As a long time Cru fan, came to school one year before football games started and have been to every game I can get to, it would be nice to be in a rowdy stadium. I've been asked to be quiet from more seasoned fans as it disturbs their binoculars when I stomp and their ears when I whistle. The only hope is that the students start to be very loud in that bottom section of the home side as the upper section, where my seats are, only rises to the occasion on 3rd and long or 4th down. Being in the state of Texas where football reigns, it has always surprised me that the fans aren't louder.

Anyways, have a great day and enjoy a Crudog and Crunilla ice cream!

[DFWCrufan]

Yeah I buy tickets up stairs...but later sneak downstairs to the rowdy section...

[UMHB03]

Wow, the Crusaders are sporting some pretty hideous uniforms tonight. 

[Toby Taff]

Wow, the Crusaders are sporting some pretty hideous uniforms tonight. 

agreed.

[umhbalum]

The Cru this year look pretty good slinging the ball around the field....

[zipmac22]

I'm glad that The Cru won tonight, but had The Redlands had their act together they could of given us some serious problems. Seeing Zach Anderson (QB #1) play tonight I was not impressed. This was not the same Anderson from last year. The only difference I saw in Anderson was that he was all tatted up, I guess trying to look like someone with better skills. Anderson's timing was off, he was slow to see the defense form, his passes lacked any kind of zip to them. Although to Anderson's credit he did have some good runs, but they were too far spread out. I wish they would of replaced Anderson with Blake Jackson (QB #7) in the second half instead of waiting until the last 11 minutes of the game. Jackson seemed to have his head into the game and acted like he wanted to be there. There seemed to be a problem with the center, Sterling Cantue #50 snapping the ball high enough so Anderson didn't have to reach down near his cleats to grab the ball.

Tonight the defense and special teams carried the team, but they also need enough time to rest between series. The Cru really need to stop making careless mistakes, one of these games the other team is going to get lucky and The Cru will find themselves trying to come back from behind. The Cru has the talent to get the job done, they just need to start playing football.

[Kelly Boggs]

My two cents worth on The CRU tonight. The defense is stout. The offensive line is not dominate right now. The big boys up front have to improve if UMHB is going to impose its will on the ground. I like the passes down the field, but The CRU has always hung its hat on a punishing running game. In two games thus far, it hasn't been there as in the past.

The defense will buy the offense time to improve. I believe in the long run UMHB will be fine.

[DFWCrufan]

I have to agree with many of the comments concerning our QB. In on play he had the snap and simply stood there until sacked as though he was totally lost, I wanted to ask anyone else if they saw this during the playoffs last season, as the games got tougher he seemed to slow down. I played a different sport in college so I cannot speak to what goes on in the mind while your in the game, but from the outside looking in I dunno he just looked sluggish. The D show... monsters inc. again they kept they team out of trouble.

[Toby Taff]

I have to agree with many of the comments concerning our QB. In on play he had the snap and simply stood there until sacked as though he was totally lost, I wanted to ask anyone else if they saw this during the playoffs last season, as the games got tougher he seemed to slow down. I played a different sport in college so I cannot speak to what goes on in the mind while your in the game, but from the outside looking in I dunno he just looked sluggish. The D show... monsters inc. again they kept they team out of trouble.

In the article in the telegram this morning Coach Fred said they are giving the offense more freedom to make decisions and that some of the reads aren't being picked up. That's probably the reason for some of the sloppy play on offense. There's a learning curve that is still being navigated.
To finish my thought, assuming the QBs can navigate that curve, the offense should be in good shape for the next few years. I can't help but wonder if decisions being made on the field aren't part of the issue with the Oline. At times they are playing as usual and other times they seem pretty porous. Maybe uncertainty about play calling is affecting blocking schemes some and like the skill positions as they navigate the learning curve it'll actually improve the Oline's all around skill level. Just thinking out loud here.

[DFWCrufan]

Ahh gotcha..

[crufootball]

I have to agree with many of the comments concerning our QB. In on play he had the snap and simply stood there until sacked as though he was totally lost, I wanted to ask anyone else if they saw this during the playoffs last season, as the games got tougher he seemed to slow down. I played a different sport in college so I cannot speak to what goes on in the mind while your in the game, but from the outside looking in I dunno he just looked sluggish. The D show... monsters inc. again they kept they team out of trouble.

In the article in the telegram this morning Coach Fred said they are giving the offense more freedom to make decisions and that some of the reads aren't being picked up. That's probably the reason for some of the sloppy play on offense. There's a learning curve that is still being navigated.
To finish my thought, assuming the QBs can navigate that curve, the offense should be in good shape for the next few years. I can't help but wonder if decisions being made on the field aren't part of the issue with the Oline. At times they are playing as usual and other times they seem pretty porous. Maybe uncertainty about play calling is affecting blocking schemes some and like the skill positions as they navigate the learning curve it'll actually improve the Oline's all around skill level. Just thinking out loud here.

To add to that, part of the learning curve is coming from the coaching staff. Cody Fredenburg, who obviously isn't new but is in his first year as the OC along with Nathaniel Hogge and Kieth Mullins who are brand new to the coaching staff on the offensive side of the ball.

On another note, for anyone interested in an update on Lamar Seels, the UMHB player that got hurt on the first play of the game. According to the wonderful world of Twitter, he is out of the hospital, has received an MRI and will apparently have surgery on Friday. He said he wasn't given an exact diagnosis so I doubt we will know anytime soon how long he may be out.

[olddog]

Keep us updated on the injured player. I know UR did something that I am proud of during the game and your commentators picked up on...i.e   huddled up and said a prayer for him when things looked serious.

I really believe your team is better this year than last year...D - Line overall is better, linebackers are off the hook. Skills all back and all but one key O linemen are back...Your offense will keep improving every week. The only player that is not better is at RB...but there is talent. When one plays MHB they have to get ready against your Wildcat and your version of the read offense. A lot of work for any D early in the season.

[crufootball]

Keep us updated on the injured player. I know UR did something that I am proud of during the game and your commentators picked up on...i.e   huddled up and said a prayer for him when things looked serious.

I really believe your team is better this year than last year...D - Line overall is better, linebackers are off the hook. Skills all back and all but one key O linemen are back...Your offense will keep improving every week. The only player that is not better is at RB...but there is talent. When one plays MHB they have to get ready against your Wildcat and your version of the read offense. A lot of work for any D early in the season.

Don't know the exact injury but Lamar is out for the whole season, I imagine Coach Pete will have something to day about it on his coaches show tommorow.