FB: American Southwest Conference

[crufootball]

It's officially Hardin Simmons week. Let's go Cru!!

Unfortunately, I don't see this being much of a game this Saturday. On both sides of the ball HSU's big boys aren't getting any type of push. Granted on offense we have had a plethora of injuries, still no excuse. MHB is going to live in our backfield. We better have a great scheme offensively and get creative, because this is the worst they have looked since 2013 when HSU had a 4-6 record. Defensively, we'll game plan well. I personally believe the two best Defensive Coordinators in Division 3 will be coaching in this game. Wilkerson can only do so much but he'll be the reason if HSU can hang around. I won't be able to make it to Belton this year, but that atmosphere is going to be a lot of fun. My prediction is MHB by 17 if not more.

I have to agree. I think the goal this week is to stay within 2 scores of the Cru. Then, if we manage to win out (no easy task especially with ETBU and HPU looking formidable) hope that we are more healthy for a potential first-round rematch with UMHB. I worry that even if we go 9-1, if that loss is by too great a margin we won't be as good of a Pool C candidate as we have been in the past.

Did a quick glance at the stats from last spring and this year and it looks like two obvious missing people are Reed and Featherstone and a few O-line, that would seem to impact things. Is it a similar story on defense?

Featherston suited out Saturday but did not appear. Not sure what happened with Reed. O-Line wise, we lost one to graduation, two other starters out with injury, and a third out that didn't start but played snapped regularly . So a little banged up there. Defensively it's always tough when you lost Strambler on the back end and replace him with a freshman. We have our whole LB core back, and for the majority they look good. D-Line is where we lost a few like Bell. Which I have heard multiple stories on why he left the university. Little at DE is a stud, but other than that we look average. It'll be interesting to see if we play to our potential or if we just go through the motions like we have the past two weeks.

I also want to add that Belhaven had a great game plan against us. First drive HSU forced them to go three and out, HSU offense fumbles on it's opening play. Short field for a TD and then a fake punt to set them up for a FG. Once that 10-0 lead happened, it was all about ball control. Every offensive snap they had, the playclock ran down to at least 2 seconds. You could tell it was obvious keep away. Regardless, our offense has to show up and perform. We cannot allow short fields on our defense this week or we are going to be in big, big trouble.

Sounds like a game plan I recognize.

[Toby Taff]

It's officially Hardin Simmons week. Let's go Cru!!

Unfortunately, I don't see this being much of a game this Saturday. On both sides of the ball HSU's big boys aren't getting any type of push. Granted on offense we have had a plethora of injuries, still no excuse. MHB is going to live in our backfield. We better have a great scheme offensively and get creative, because this is the worst they have looked since 2013 when HSU had a 4-6 record. Defensively, we'll game plan well. I personally believe the two best Defensive Coordinators in Division 3 will be coaching in this game. Wilkerson can only do so much but he'll be the reason if HSU can hang around. I won't be able to make it to Belton this year, but that atmosphere is going to be a lot of fun. My prediction is MHB by 17 if not more.

I have to agree. I think the goal this week is to stay within 2 scores of the Cru. Then, if we manage to win out (no easy task especially with ETBU and HPU looking formidable) hope that we are more healthy for a potential first-round rematch with UMHB. I worry that even if we go 9-1, if that loss is by too great a margin we won't be as good of a Pool C candidate as we have been in the past.

The new regional format and playing Wayland doesn't help. having to contend just to get on the at large board with WIAC and SCIAC schools

[Reverendbiker]

The Southwestern game really opened my eyes to the depth of this Crusader team.  All-American LB misses the game?  No problem--just convert a backup RB and he plays lights out.  Leading receiver out?  No problem--KJ Miller is back and the team is still 6 deep in quality WR's.  Cormier and Miller ran all over HSU in the spring game but now they're not even starting.  Are your defensive linemen getting a little tired?  No problem--big, fast replacements are ready--one of them All-ASC.  Starting LB's may be the three best in conference, and their backups have lots of playing time. Need somebody to replace in injured DB?  No problem--convert a WR who makes a highlight-reel INT.   The OLine that owned HSU in the spring is back with only one loss, and he is replaced by an All-American moved over from guard.  Five experienced backups averaging almost 300#.  A QB who is getting better every week is backed up by a kid who can break one for 80 yds any play. 
And want to see something scary?  Watch the JV team play.  I truly believe that if you put them in the ASC they win 4-5 games.
But I never underestimate a Jesse Burleson team and I know they'll be ready to play Saturday. 
Just my $0.02.

[umhb2001]

If UMHB brings the intensity in D the way they have the previous three games, it may be lights out early for HSU. I can't imagine there would be a problem bringing the intensity, so HSU better be able to match that.  If not, the Cru offense will be playing on a short field all day which could be made even shorter since the ball will have to be punted away deep and not shanked to the side to play keep away from KJ and Simms. I don't see how HSU scores more than 14. UMHB could put up 45 at least.

We'll see, though. The game has to be played.

[crufootball]

Game notes from UMHB and HSU have both been posted. Can't say I love that Brandon Jordan isn't listed again on the 2 Deep.

https://cruathletics.com/documents/2021/9/23/9_25_Game_Notes.pdf

https://www.hsuathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/2021-22/releases/20210923kkstcj

[Kelly Boggs]

My source tells me that Jordan is playing.

[Etchglow]

Watching the ETBU vs Howard Payne game... Pretty sure there has been 5+ unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the first half... Not sure who they have in charge of their stream, but they used to have a pretty good one... I'm pretty sure this one is being filmed with a potato. Currently 17 14 etbu with 2 remaining in the first half.

[Toby Taff]

Watching the ETBU vs Howard Payne game... Pretty sure there has been 5+ unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the first half... Not sure who they have in charge of their stream, but they used to have a pretty good one... I'm pretty sure this one is being filmed with a potato. Currently 17 14 etbu with 2 remaining in the first half.

it is now 28-24 HPU late in the 3rd

[Etchglow]

Watching the ETBU vs Howard Payne game... Pretty sure there has been 5+ unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the first half... Not sure who they have in charge of their stream, but they used to have a pretty good one... I'm pretty sure this one is being filmed with a potato. Currently 17 14 etbu with 2 remaining in the first half.

it is now 28-24 HPU late in the 3rd

And 7 or 8 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties... Along with some extremely questionable calls by the refs. Oh yeah, 31 to 28 etbu now.

[umhbalum]

Wow, this isn't the UMHB team we have seen this year. Terrible start

[OzJohnnie]

The HSU RB is dangerous.  Fast and strong.

[OzJohnnie]

The HSU RB is dangerous.  Fast and strong.

57 yard TD run just a few plays later.  Wow.  I'll be passing out my stock tips later this evening.

[sjujohnnie]

Holy cow! UMHB had Hardin-Simmons in a 4th & 7, brought a rusher to block the punt, the HSU punter side-stepped the rusher, looked like he was going to take a crack at punting it, but saw that he had room to run so gained the 1st down. On the ensuing play a touchdown! Surprising how lopsided this game has started off!

[umhbalum]

Disappointed in the effort by the Cru.

This things getting close to being out of reach

[UMHB03]

A complete debacle in the first half. How in the world do you show up (or NOT show up) to the biggest game of the year totally unmotivated and unprepared?