FB: American Southwest Conference

[crufootball]

The UW-Platteville defense can't hold a candle to the Cru. 

Just my $0.02

I don't see too many understatements when I read the ASC board. But this is definitely an understatement.

Haha is that a backhanded compliment at the ASC and a dig at UW-P at that the same time?

[bleedpurple]

The UW-Platteville defense can't hold a candle to the Cru. 

Just my $0.02

I don't see too many understatements when I read the ASC board. But this is definitely an understatement.

Haha is that a backhanded compliment at the ASC and a dig at UW-P at that the same time?

Lol. Ya but all in fun. I like layers to my humor lol.

[crufootball]

The UW-Platteville defense can't hold a candle to the Cru. 

Just my $0.02

I don't see too many understatements when I read the ASC board. But this is definitely an understatement.

Haha is that a backhanded compliment at the ASC and a dig at UW-P at that the same time?

Lol. Ya but all in fun. I like layers to my humor lol.

Haha of course I just wanted to make sure I was picking up the proper tone, impressive two for one statement.

[umhb2001]

Without making any negative remarks, I got blocked by Coach Burleson and by Coach Maypert. Guess I'm doing something right! 

[crufootball]

Looks like game notes may not be a story on the UMHB athletics page but will be made each week and put on the schedule page.

https://cruathletics.com/documents/2021/9/9/FB_GAME_NOTES_Sept_11_2021_ETBU_.pdf

[Toby Taff]

The McMurry Howard Payne game is 35-29 in the 4th HPU is up but the starting QB is injured

[umhb2001]

I guess ETBU and Platteville both overplayed last week.

[Etchglow]

I guess I can't complain too much since the Cru won last night. It was a pretty good game honestly and minus a few fumbles by the offense, would have been even better. It feels like the run defense isnt up to its normal stifling self, but I'm not sure honestly. I think they did a good job limiting ETBU'S passing game to only 103 yards after they passed for over 300 against Platteville. Of course, the video board is awesome...

I guess last thing, does it almost feel as if the crowd has been flat this year compared to the past?

Oh well, one more tune up game before HSU. Hope we are ready. On a side note, anyone watch the HSU vs Sul Ross game? 27 to 0 seems like Hardin-Simmons struggled compared to normal?

[UMHB03]

I guess I can't complain too much since the Cru won last night. It was a pretty good game honestly and minus a few fumbles by the offense, would have been even better. It feels like the run defense isnt up to its normal stifling self, but I'm not sure honestly. I think they did a good job limiting ETBU'S passing game to only 103 yards after they passed for over 300 against Platteville. Of course, the video board is awesome...

I guess last thing, does it almost feel as if the crowd has been flat this year compared to the past?

Oh well, one more tune up game before HSU. Hope we are ready. On a side note, anyone watch the HSU vs Sul Ross game? 27 to 0 seems like Hardin-Simmons struggled compared to normal?

I was there, and the crowd was pretty good at first. Unfortunately when the staff decided to go to clock killing mode the entire second half, it tended to understandably lose interest. I left with about 5 minutes left simply because there's no reason to hang around and watch them run the same three plays up the middle without making any attempt to play actual football.

[Reverendbiker]

I was there, and the crowd was pretty good at first. Unfortunately when the staff decided to go to clock killing mode the entire second half, it tended to understandably lose interest. I left with about 5 minutes left simply because there's no reason to hang around and watch them run the same three plays up the middle without making any attempt to play actual football.

I was there too and agree that the conservative (some might say boring) play calling didn't give the crowd much to cheer about.  I get frustrated watching the same three predictable plays too but then I remember
1)  This is one of the most successful coaching staffs in America
2)  Those safe plays minimize momentum-altering turnovers, and
3)  The coaches don't want to show anything on film to future opponents.
I'll take a 20-point win over a tough conference opponent any day.  And it's interesting to note the difference between the Crusader team that beat ETBU 30-28 in the spring and Saturday's team.  What an improvement.

[Etchglow]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Aphonso Thomas looked really really good (minus that one fumble). On one hand it is exciting to have a back of his caliber, on the other hand it means we might not get to see Montana very much until he is a senior... Although, with those 3 we could run a triple option for a just to throw people off lol...

[Toby Taff]

I guess I can't complain too much since the Cru won last night. It was a pretty good game honestly and minus a few fumbles by the offense, would have been even better. It feels like the run defense isnt up to its normal stifling self, but I'm not sure honestly. I think they did a good job limiting ETBU'S passing game to only 103 yards after they passed for over 300 against Platteville. Of course, the video board is awesome...

I guess last thing, does it almost feel as if the crowd has been flat this year compared to the past?

Oh well, one more tune up game before HSU. Hope we are ready. On a side note, anyone watch the HSU vs Sul Ross game? 27 to 0 seems like Hardin-Simmons struggled compared to normal?

I was there, and the crowd was pretty good at first. Unfortunately when the staff decided to go to clock killing mode the entire second half, it tended to understandably lose interest. I left with about 5 minutes left simply because there's no reason to hang around and watch them run the same three plays up the middle without making any attempt to play actual football.

I stayed for the whole game and agree the second half was boring. it was obvious there was no plan to do too much with the big lead, and i appreciate eating the clock. (Abilene is a long drive home for a night game). On Bowden's fumble/ETBU's 86 yd TD recovery. Did anyone else marvel at how fast Brenton Martin is as he blew past aaron Simms and caught up to returner? I wasn't even too bothered by him trying to strip the ball instead of just tackling him. That might have secured the shut out. The defense was playing well and if we eat clock and stop them they don't have that last drive to score with 8 seconds.

As for the defense. They looked good. I wonder if the runstopping issuehad more to do with the new schemes and blitzes they are adding. Maybe it's an issue of seeing how they work in game as compared to practice so they can figure out how to make the adjustments.

[Reverendbiker]

As for the defense. They looked good. I wonder if the runstopping issuehad more to do with the new schemes and blitzes they are adding. Maybe it's an issue of seeing how they work in game as compared to practice so they can figure out how to make the adjustments.

I agree on the defense.  Every year I get more respect for Larry Harmon.  In March, ETBU burned us for 354 yards passing and I just knew he wasn't going to let that happen again.  I went back and reviewed the many pics I took of this game and it was obvious that the defensive set (and personnel) was completely changed from the Simpson game--clearly designed to stifle and confuse ETBU's young QB.  And boy did it work.  Next week should be fun.  Southwestern can't pass a lick (in week 1 they had 0 yds in the air) so you can bet Harmon will be throwing a new look at them and daring them to pass.

[UMHB03]

I was there, and the crowd was pretty good at first. Unfortunately when the staff decided to go to clock killing mode the entire second half, it tended to understandably lose interest. I left with about 5 minutes left simply because there's no reason to hang around and watch them run the same three plays up the middle without making any attempt to play actual football.

I was there too and agree that the conservative (some might say boring) play calling didn't give the crowd much to cheer about.  I get frustrated watching the same three predictable plays too but then I remember
1)  This is one of the most successful coaching staffs in America
2)  Those safe plays minimize momentum-altering turnovers, and
3)  The coaches don't want to show anything on film to future opponents.
I'll take a 20-point win over a tough conference opponent any day.  And it's interesting to note the difference between the Crusader team that beat ETBU 30-28 in the spring and Saturday's team.  What an improvement.

All good points. I'd just prefer to see some back ups in the game running plays rather than the starters basically running dives up the middle for a whole half. Reward the back ups with some playing time and build depth, while avoiding injuries to the starters and giving the fans something worth watching.

That said, this staff's method has obviously worked for the last two decades, and they know what they're doing, so it's hard to be too critical of them.

[umhb2001]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Aphonso Thomas looked really really good (minus that one fumble). On one hand it is exciting to have a back of his caliber, on the other hand it means we might not get to see Montana very much until he is a senior... Although, with those 3 we could run a triple option for a just to throw people off lol...

Aphonso Thomas didn't fumble. It was Andrew Robinson at the 2:10 mark in the 4th quarter.

Both fumbles were by backups. I don't know why Montana Miller didn't play much. After this week, it is clear we need a backup qb. If Bowden is going to fumble, he won't play.

I agree the that the fans are stagnant. Again, not many people who are vested in the program are actual alums, and the student section should be much bigger. I do think they do a pretty good job on 3rd and 4th down.