FB: American Southwest Conference

[OzJohnnie]

I've been a bit provocative over on the MIAC boards where we like it hot.  I know not all Texans like their BBQ saucy so I'll be cool and respectful here.

I just want to address the issue of "UMHB has not seen an offense like this before."  I want to address it because I think it's true.  Not because I'm mindless homer (although that is also true) but because this year UMHB has not played a team like SJU.  A demonstrable fact.  I think it has the makings for a cracking game and adds a hint of nervous anxiety for all supporters.

Most frequently the response to such a claim is similar to the one made on the MIAC boards, which is "HSU..."   Here, courtesy of the Hansen Ratings, is a clear comparison of the offenses of the three teams.



You can see quite clearly that one of these things is not like the others.

The HSU approach to offense very closely mirrors the UHMB approach.  Both are run heavy with very similar stats for Rush PPP (Rush Points Per Play), Rush 1Dn% (1st downs by rushing), and likewise on the passing stats.  It's not a crime, but it's certainly clear that both HSU and UHMB like to make their yards on the ground and make their hay by dominating the trenches.

SJU, on the other hand, is pass heavy.  They make their first downs through the air, they score their points through the air, they trail both HSU and UHMB by a long, long way in the rushing stats.

Does this mean SJU has some phenominal advantage and will crush the Crusaders?  No, obviously not.  But does this mean that this weekend offers an exciting change of pace from the trench wars that have dominated DIII for 15 years?  Yes, it does.  And I reckon it's for the good of the game that the Jays have a reasonable chance of overcoming their one or two score underdog status this Saturday.

[trickytroy32]

Stats can be miss leading. Most games played by HSU and MHB was over by half time meaning running most of the second half. I don't think you actually seen mhb play. The strength of there defense is the secondary hands down. Most success against there defense was done with a) a running qb, b) running weak side or c) the third team was in. I'm not a MHB fan by any means, but the Johnny fan base is massively underestimating MHB defense. They don't give up long pass plays(St John bread and butter).  St. John does have the best throwing qb they will face, but not the best WR corps they faced.

[trickytroy32]

What factors have contributed to UMHB's extremely fast ascent being such a young program? Abundance of talent in close proximity being the greatest? Did I read that their head coach has been at the helm since the program's inception? Why a move from NAIA to Division III?

They recruit very well all over the state ( most in Texas get their players close to school) and have the best facilities than any other d3 in Texas if not nationally.  Alot of this is from their head coach. Somebody looked at Wikipedia for NAIA. Lol  UMHB football has always been d3. All the other sports went from NAIA to D3 when the football program started in 1998 I believe.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

What factors have contributed to UMHB's extremely fast ascent being such a young program? Abundance of talent in close proximity being the greatest? Did I read that their head coach has been at the helm since the program's inception? Why a move from NAIA to Division III?

Cars, Boats and Hoes.

[jamtod]

You can see quite clearly that one of these things is not like the others.

SJU running game doesn't measure up to UMHB or HSU?
That's the biggest outlier I see.

[OzJohnnie]

What factors have contributed to UMHB's extremely fast ascent being such a young program? Abundance of talent in close proximity being the greatest? Did I read that their head coach has been at the helm since the program's inception? Why a move from NAIA to Division III?

Cars, Boats and Hoes.

In that order?

[DuffMan]

Gotta have me my boats and hoes!

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Gotta have me my boats and hoes!

[Toby Taff]

What factors have contributed to UMHB's extremely fast ascent being such a young program? Abundance of talent in close proximity being the greatest? Did I read that their head coach has been at the helm since the program's inception? Why a move from NAIA to Division III?

As someone who has watched from the beginning, their ascent has to do with solid coaching that is willing to learn and adapt, an administration that going in said, if we do this we do this with the intent of winning, and has therefore fully supported the program,and a methodical approach to success.
People say UMHB is a machine, and in many ways they are correct. When the program began, HSU's head coach helped coach fred out before UMHB ever started playing ball. HSU was the cream of crop in the ASC. UMHB knew step one was to be able to beat them and built a team that could challenge them regularly and make the playoffs. Once they started making playoff runs, Trinity was the next obstacle, it took a few years of adjustment, but they overcame that obstacle and then ran into Wesley, Linfield, UWW, UMU. Each one required an upping of their game, so they adapted. They recruited more athletic players, they found places for their best players to play, even if it wasn't the position they had always played; they hired quality coaches and expanded their coaching methods. in 2004 when UMHB met and beat UMU the first time, even though they were down in the 4th, they continued with the run game. When LiDarrel Baily became QB a new possibility for the offense appeared and the type of QBs recruited seems to have changed. Basically what I'm saying is adminstration and community support, and a coaching staff that has been adaptable have had a huge impact.

[Kelly Boggs]

Pete Fredenburg: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Fredenburg

[D O.C.]

Can't we just all agree UMHB and SJU has the feel of a semi-final game?

[CruGuy]

Most frequently the response to such a claim is similar to the one made on the MIAC boards, which is "HSU..."   Here, courtesy of the Hansen Ratings, is a clear comparison of the offenses of the three teams.



You can see quite clearly that one of these things is not like the others.

So Mr. Hansen and his numbers believe that St Johns has the best passing offense in D3, and UMHB has the best pass defense in D3. Strength on Strength, we'll be able to come back Sat. evening and it should all be pretty clear.

[jamtod]

Can't we just all agree UMHB and SJU has the feel of a semi-final game?

Agreed. I think the final score on this will be very similar to the final score between Mount Union and Johns Hopkins (assuming they beat RPI), in that I would be surprised if UMHB wins by fewer than 2 scores.

[DustySJU]

By all accounts The Cru is a team on par with the great Mount Union dynasty of the past 20+ years.

On the other hand, and from time to time (perhaps the result of 70 years of championship football) the Johnnies unleash something we know as "Johnnie Magic".

The Johnnies have strange ways of winning football games, seemingly undermanned and outgunned SJU emerges victorious. 

It's strange and entertaining, but it happens.

Will it happen Saturday?

Developing....

[Ralph Turner]

I think that the real credit for UMHB has to go with the UMHB president at that time, Jerry Bawcom, and to the first commissioner of the ASC, Fred Jacoby.

The ASC was created in 1996 from the old NAIA Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Assn (TIAA).

From the website

At its spring meeting in May of 1996, the TIAA hired Fred Jacoby as its first commissioner and reorganized as the American Southwest Conference (ASC) to better reflect the geography of the conference. (The conference also moved wholly to NCAA D-3 at that time.)

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor joined the conference in 1997, becoming the first school to be added to the newly named ASC. The end of 1997 brought four new schools into the conference with the addition of University of Texas at Dallas, Schreiner University, LeTourneau University, East Texas Baptist University and Concordia University at Austin. Texas Lutheran University and Louisiana College were added to the conference in 1998.

The University of Dallas left the ASC in 2000 for independent status. The University of Texas at Tyler joined the conference in 2003. In 2006, Austin College left the ASC to join the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.

There were 6 schools that played football in 1996: Austin College, HPU, Mississippi College, HSU, McMurry and Sul Ross.

Seeing the possibility of a football conference, UMHB started football. TLU, ETBU, and Louisiana College resumed programs and so you have the ASC.

The remarkable career of Fred Jacoby is worthy of another 10,000 words.