FB: American Southwest Conference

[Ron Boerger]

Am I correct that with Trinity and Austin College going "back" to the SAA they too will only need 1 non conference game?

Any chance for a ASC/SAA or ASC/USAC challenge (I know I am stretching it)?

Or even better question, do the decision makers at the schools of the ASC really care to try hard to find that 10th D3 game when they can find a much cheaper alternative in SAGU, Texas College, Wayland Baptist, etc.

There will be nine teams playing football in the SAA next season so each school will need to find two non-conf games.

As for an ASC/SAA challenge, given that the SAA schools pulled out of the SCAC for travel/time away reasons, it would seem unlikely. The arrangement with AC and TU means one yearly trip to TX yearly for each core SAA member, and such a challenge would add a second.   Can't talk to USAC.

[HSUDAD]

Easy there, HSUDAD. I think you may be a little spoiled from last year's dominating wins. You may be forgetting the years when we started 0-2 not too long ago  and were hoping to just pull off a winning season! While I agree that we haven't been playing perfect, 4-0 is a huge accomplishment and I think any HSU team that can find a way to win games like we've been able to this year is a contender to beat anybody. I have confidence in this coaching staff to fix the issues we've been having and turn them into a "well oiled machine." It's gonna be a fun finish to see who pulls this thing out, still a lot of football to be played. Go Cowboys!

Hooyah Cowboys!!! HSU Class of '05

I don't see how you would get the impression that I was spoiled by last years dominating wins?  I was just pointing out some of the issues that have prevented us from winning games easily.   I would never sneeze at a 4-0 start and if you look at my previous posts I love our coaching staff I think they are the best around, in fact their adjustments at half have been evident in all four of our wins.    If it sounded spoiled or negative it was definitely not the intention.  I believe in this team whole heartedly for one it is evident in my kid how much his brothers and coaches mean to him which makes this daddy happy and proud to be a fan.   

[Hawks88]

Am I correct that with Trinity and Austin College going "back" to the SAA they too will only need 1 non conference game?

Any chance for a ASC/SAA or ASC/USAC challenge (I know I am stretching it)?

Or even better question, do the decision makers at the schools of the ASC really care to try hard to find that 10th D3 game when they can find a much cheaper alternative in SAGU, Texas College, Wayland Baptist, etc.

There will be nine teams playing football in the SAA next season so each school will need to find two non-conf games.

As for an ASC/SAA challenge, given that the SAA schools pulled out of the SCAC for travel/time away reasons, it would seem unlikely. The arrangement with AC and TU means one yearly trip to TX yearly for each core SAA member, and such a challenge would add a second.   Can't talk to USAC.

I don't see the USAC going there. We will have nine teams starting next season and only need two non-conf games as well. As far as I know Huntingdon is committed to playing Louisiana College and Birmingham-Southern for the near future. LaGrange seems likely to be locked into Berry and Birmingham-Southern. Beyond that Maryville and NC Wesleyan seem to be willing to travel somewhat but the others pretty much just stay with nearby ODAC schools to save travel.

[Hooyah Cowboys]

Easy there, HSUDAD. I think you may be a little spoiled from last year's dominating wins. You may be forgetting the years when we started 0-2 not too long ago  and were hoping to just pull off a winning season! While I agree that we haven't been playing perfect, 4-0 is a huge accomplishment and I think any HSU team that can find a way to win games like we've been able to this year is a contender to beat anybody. I have confidence in this coaching staff to fix the issues we've been having and turn them into a "well oiled machine." It's gonna be a fun finish to see who pulls this thing out, still a lot of football to be played. Go Cowboys!

Hooyah Cowboys!!! HSU Class of '05

I don't see how you would get the impression that I was spoiled by last years dominating wins?  I was just pointing out some of the issues that have prevented us from winning games easily.   I would never sneeze at a 4-0 start and if you look at my previous posts I love our coaching staff I think they are the best around, in fact their adjustments at half have been evident in all four of our wins.    If it sounded spoiled or negative it was definitely not the intention.  I believe in this team whole heartedly for one it is evident in my kid how much his brothers and coaches mean to him which makes this daddy happy and proud to be a fan.

Absolutely! No disrespect intended.  I also find myself fighting disappointment after a 25+ point win because I'm hoping for the 60-70 point wins we had last season. I think there are some definite holes in our defense that have to be fixed ASAP but our offense is starting to click very well and will be able to stay with anyone in the country soon.

LC will be a big test for our defense. Iff we don't show up to play, it could be a long trip back from Pineville. I'm not sure what the reason was for their down year in 2015 but it appears that they won't be a roll over win anymore. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous for Saturday!

Hooyah Cowboys!!! HSU Class of '05

[crufootball]

Am I correct that with Trinity and Austin College going "back" to the SAA they too will only need 1 non conference game?

Any chance for a ASC/SAA or ASC/USAC challenge (I know I am stretching it)?

Or even better question, do the decision makers at the schools of the ASC really care to try hard to find that 10th D3 game when they can find a much cheaper alternative in SAGU, Texas College, Wayland Baptist, etc.

There will be nine teams playing football in the SAA next season so each school will need to find two non-conf games.

As for an ASC/SAA challenge, given that the SAA schools pulled out of the SCAC for travel/time away reasons, it would seem unlikely. The arrangement with AC and TU means one yearly trip to TX yearly for each core SAA member, and such a challenge would add a second.   Can't talk to USAC.

I don't see the USAC going there. We will have nine teams starting next season and only need two non-conf games as well. As far as I know Huntingdon is committed to playing Louisiana College and Birmingham-Southern for the near future. LaGrange seems likely to be locked into Berry and Birmingham-Southern. Beyond that Maryville and NC Wesleyan seem to be willing to travel somewhat but the others pretty much just stay with nearby ODAC schools to save travel.

Yeah I really knew that both sets of challenges would never happen. But I also know that based on the current scheduling of the ASC, for a number of legitimate reason the conference is never going to have a great non conference reputation. Its too easy and cost effective to continue to find a non-D3 opponent close by than to get on a very long bus trip or very costly plane trip and find a D3 foe (especially a good one).

[umhb2001]

Am I correct that with Trinity and Austin College going "back" to the SAA they too will only need 1 non conference game?

Any chance for a ASC/SAA or ASC/USAC challenge (I know I am stretching it)?

Or even better question, do the decision makers at the schools of the ASC really care to try hard to find that 10th D3 game when they can find a much cheaper alternative in SAGU, Texas College, Wayland Baptist, etc.

There will be nine teams playing football in the SAA next season so each school will need to find two non-conf games.

As for an ASC/SAA challenge, given that the SAA schools pulled out of the SCAC for travel/time away reasons, it would seem unlikely. The arrangement with AC and TU means one yearly trip to TX yearly for each core SAA member, and such a challenge would add a second.   Can't talk to USAC.

I don't see the USAC going there. We will have nine teams starting next season and only need two non-conf games as well. As far as I know Huntingdon is committed to playing Louisiana College and Birmingham-Southern for the near future. LaGrange seems likely to be locked into Berry and Birmingham-Southern. Beyond that Maryville and NC Wesleyan seem to be willing to travel somewhat but the others pretty much just stay with nearby ODAC schools to save travel.

Yeah I really knew that both sets of challenges would never happen. But I also know that based on the current scheduling of the ASC, for a number of legitimate reason the conference is never going to have a great non conference reputation. Its too easy and cost effective to continue to find a non-D3 opponent close by than to get on a very long bus trip or very costly plane trip and find a D3 foe (especially a good one).

But what would you rather have, a close win/loss to a strong D3 opponent or a 60 pt win to a non D3 that does nothing for your playoff aspirations. Teams and schools, if they want to take their program seriously and are looking to grow, have to play D3 and competitive D3 at that.  I think Pat and Keith would agree with this, but perhaps not.

As far as HSU goes, here are my takeaways:

1. The team is definitely better than they have been in recent years. Geez, they beat us in their place last year!
2. They are definitely making halftime adjustments, and that is great, but I really wonder about that 7-3 score at the half against SW, a 27-24 lead over SWAG-U, and a 21-17 lead over TLU at the half.  These teams are not top teams in the south this year, so domination should happen early one would think. 
3.  I believe this cause for concern, and starting slowly against a potent ETBU or UMHB may be costly.
4. A 1 loss ASC team may find themselves in the playoffs with TLU and Trinity lacking.

Final Thoughts:

UMHB may not have played their best football yet. 

The OLine false start penalties loomed large prior to last week, so the off week adjustments may be huge moving forward as UMHB was stellar in that area last week.

Not having starting tackle Conally Fuller or DB Kris Brown means that both sides of the ball can still get better.

Zane Boles is the best offensive player to not even see the field yet.  He must get on the field, and it will be interesting to see what happens from here on out.  Originally a QB last year, he looked awesome, but with starter Blake Jackson solidified, he was moved to TE.  I don't recall him even making the field but maybe once as a TE.  He is now moving back to QB and should get some playing time soon.

Finally, Teidrick Smith didn't play the whole first half last week and when asked, Coach Fred said it was between he and Teidrick.  Obviously this is true, but man, when he came out, he was on fire.  Filling his spot, Ajay Fanene.  This kid is a beast and will do well once he has the playbook down.

CRUNATION

[DFWCrufan]

I am glad to hear that news about Zane Boles, Yes he would make a great TE, big kid, tall and knows the schemes as a QB and good hands much like TJ Josey who is turning out to be one hell of a receiver, but to hear that they are thinking of moving him back into QB rotation, that to me is good news. He's got a great arm in the air, can run pretty well, not as crafty as Blake on the run but covers alot of ground fast. plus being what, 6"4 6"5, definite advantages, rare air up there, and he's only a sophomore.
I gotta give a shout out to Ajay Fanene, my home town boy... Riverside California, my home town...and a La Sierra HS Eagle.. Fun fact, I coached at LA Sierra for 4 years. La Sierra is the David in a goliath league, the school only has about 800 students, while all the other schools boast about 2000 =3000 so Ajay knows the hard knocks life being a good little program.

Ajay! Represent!...

[DFWCrufan]

I found this little video from College Football America  CFA Stadium Spotlight Mary Hardin Baylor - from ROADTRIPSPORTS.COM  It's not flashy but worth a look - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8HYAziQYVQ

[Hooyah Cowboys]

I am glad to hear that news about Zane Boles, Yes he would make a great TE, big kid, tall and knows the schemes as a QB and good hands much like TJ Josey who is turning out to be one hell of a receiver, but to hear that they are thinking of moving him back into QB rotation, that to me is good news. He's got a great arm in the air, can run pretty well, not as crafty as Blake on the run but covers alot of ground fast. plus being what, 6"4 6"5, definite advantages, rare air up there, and he's only a sophomore.

I wonder what it is about QB's that makes them have a smooth transition to playing TE. At HSU, we've had several guys attempt to make that transition with decent success. Our TE last year originally came in as a QB and ended up being an absolute stud for us after he made the translation. QB to TE isn't a move that sticks out as obvious but it seems to happen a lot at this level, I wonder why? Interesting.

[DFWCrufan]

Coach Dunn on Post game and upcoming HSU Game .. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8lMs4PZpFI

[GillCJ1]

Game Notes for the Cru vs. Yellow Jackets - http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/cruathletics.com/documents/2016/10/6/Game_Notes_HPU_2016.pdf?id=1185

[umhb2001]

Game Notes for the Cru vs. Yellow Jackets - http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/cruathletics.com/documents/2016/10/6/Game_Notes_HPU_2016.pdf?id=1185

News Article out of Brownwood.

http://www.brownwoodtx.com/sports/20161006/jackets-back-home-for-first-time-since-sept-3-but-no-3-umhb-awaits

[DFWCrufan]

Play of the week candidate.. Raylon Hickey tackling Baylor Mullins after his interception...nothing like being tacked by your team mate. I was laughing so hard

[zipmac22]

I was really disappointed that the video feed for the UMHB vs. HPU was lost shortly after the start of the second half.  😞

But, watching the Whitewater vs. Oshkosh has been a lot of fun. Whitewater is not looking like a #2 team right now trailing 7 - 3!

[DFWCrufan]

Yeah I lost the UMHB feed up to the 3rd. then I jumped over the the HP stream while listening to Jon & Coach, but they were not synced. UMHB finall got back up at the mid of the 4th.