FB: American Southwest Conference

[Ralph Turner]

4 turnovers and an inability to move the ball through the air at all according to the stats. yikes. Anyone know what the travel arrangements were?

QB1 injured very early, tried to play a few series but had no lower body support, QB 2 not ready for prime time, QB 3 not ready for any time.

Unfortunately injuries are part of the game. Endicott is a good team. Either a lot better than I expected or Hardin-Simmons is not as good as I thought. Probably both to be fair...

... an H-SU team that came from behind on the road at UW-L?

I am thinking injuries more than quality of the team. H-SU doesn't have top quality depth at some positions.

[umhb2001]

Well, that trajectory ended abruptly. I haven't seen a course change like that since 1986. That day has resonated with me all these years. We'll see what happens next.

[Ralph Turner]

Roo College travels 890 miles to earn a victory, 34-23 over Crown in St Bonifacius MN.

[UMHB03]

That looked a lot more like Crusader football tonight, at least in the second half.

The defense appears to be making some progress. I'm seeing signs of the kind of dominance at the LOS that we've become accustomed to in recent years. Lots of instances where the DL simply overwhelmed the blockers and engulfed the ball carrier at or behind the line. They're starting to attack and swarm with their speed, which is good to see. However, they have to get the penalty issues corrected. Way too many costly offsides penalties.

Special teams have improved as well. I don't cringe on every punt snap anymore, and the return game was pretty strong.

The O-Line was bad (again) in the first half, but managed to wear McMurry down in the second. I'm not sure if Ozias Wright is as good as he looked or if it was just because he was facing a tired defense, but I'd like to see a lot more of him. He looked like our best RB in the action he saw.

All in all, a nice step forward for UMHB. They still have a lot of work to do if they want to get back to where they're accustomed to being, but there were plenty of positives to build on.

[Etchglow]

That looked a lot more like Crusader football tonight, at least in the second half.

The defense appears to be making some progress. I'm seeing signs of the kind of dominance at the LOS that we've become accustomed to in recent years. Lots of instances where the DL simply overwhelmed the blockers and engulfed the ball carrier at or behind the line. They're starting to attack and swarm with their speed, which is good to see. However, they have to get the penalty issues corrected. Way too many costly offsides penalties.

Special teams have improved as well. I don't cringe on every punt snap anymore, and the return game was pretty strong.

The O-Line was bad (again) in the first half, but managed to wear McMurry down in the second. I'm not sure if Ozias Wright is as good as he looked or if it was just because he was facing a tired defense, but I'd like to see a lot more of him. He looked like our best RB in the action he saw.

All in all, a nice step forward for UMHB. They still have a lot of work to do if they want to get back to where they're accustomed to being, but there were plenty of positives to build on.

I don't know, but from what I saw of Wright I'd like to see him get more playing time.  Overall it was good to get back into the win column.  It was great watching them get the swing pass and short passes to the TE going.  Seemed like those were there most of the night.  TJ Rone continues to be super impressive (as a freshman!).  Looks like he is 6th overall in the ASC in yard per catch, and 7th in yards per game.

I was a bit disappointed at how few people were there for homecoming and all though.  I understayd why, but would've loved to see a packed house. 

[umhb2001]

That looked a lot more like Crusader football tonight, at least in the second half.

The defense appears to be making some progress. I'm seeing signs of the kind of dominance at the LOS that we've become accustomed to in recent years. Lots of instances where the DL simply overwhelmed the blockers and engulfed the ball carrier at or behind the line. They're starting to attack and swarm with their speed, which is good to see. However, they have to get the penalty issues corrected. Way too many costly offsides penalties.

Special teams have improved as well. I don't cringe on every punt snap anymore, and the return game was pretty strong.

The O-Line was bad (again) in the first half, but managed to wear McMurry down in the second. I'm not sure if Ozias Wright is as good as he looked or if it was just because he was facing a tired defense, but I'd like to see a lot more of him. He looked like our best RB in the action he saw.

All in all, a nice step forward for UMHB. They still have a lot of work to do if they want to get back to where they're accustomed to being, but there were plenty of positives to build on.

I don't know, but from what I saw of Wright I'd like to see him get more playing time.  Overall it was good to get back into the win column.  It was great watching them get the swing pass and short passes to the TE going.  Seemed like those were there most of the night.  TJ Rone continues to be super impressive (as a freshman!).  Looks like he is 6th overall in the ASC in yard per catch, and 7th in yards per game.

I was a bit disappointed at how few people were there for homecoming and all though.  I understayd why, but would've loved to see a packed house.

If I've said it once, I've said it at least 20 times, UMHB fans are fair weather, football fans. The majority aren't all in. They are there to watch football in a nice stadium that doesn't cost them much money. They don't truly follow and root for Cru Football. It's a day in the park where a football game happened to be.

I've been a season ticket holder for 20 years. I can't tell you how many looks of agitation and comments of "be quiet" I've received trying to cheer my team to victory. It's insane. I was raised going to TAMU games. Sorry, not sorry. I can't be quiet.

Most people in the area have no clue about the talent and success. The university does NOT advertise, in any meaningful way, the success of the progra
I don't get it.

[zipmac22]

That looked a lot more like Crusader football tonight, at least in the second half.

The defense appears to be making some progress. I'm seeing signs of the kind of dominance at the LOS that we've become accustomed to in recent years. Lots of instances where the DL simply overwhelmed the blockers and engulfed the ball carrier at or behind the line. They're starting to attack and swarm with their speed, which is good to see. However, they have to get the penalty issues corrected. Way too many costly offsides penalties.

Special teams have improved as well. I don't cringe on every punt snap anymore, and the return game was pretty strong.

The O-Line was bad (again) in the first half, but managed to wear McMurry down in the second. I'm not sure if Ozias Wright is as good as he looked or if it was just because he was facing a tired defense, but I'd like to see a lot more of him. He looked like our best RB in the action he saw.

All in all, a nice step forward for UMHB. They still have a lot of work to do if they want to get back to where they're accustomed to being, but there were plenty of positives to build on.

I don't know, but from what I saw of Wright I'd like to see him get more playing time.  Overall it was good to get back into the win column.  It was great watching them get the swing pass and short passes to the TE going.  Seemed like those were there most of the night.  TJ Rone continues to be super impressive (as a freshman!).  Looks like he is 6th overall in the ASC in yard per catch, and 7th in yards per game.

I was a bit disappointed at how few people were there for homecoming and all though.  I understayd why, but would've loved to see a packed house.

If I've said it once, I've said it at least 20 times, UMHB fans are fair weather, football fans. The majority aren't all in. They are there to watch football in a nice stadium that doesn't cost them much money. They don't truly follow and root for Cru Football. It's a day in the park where a football game happened to be.

I've been a season ticket holder for 20 years. I can't tell you how many looks of agitation and comments of "be quiet" I've received trying to cheer my team to victory. It's insane. I was raised going to TAMU games. Sorry, not sorry. I can't be quiet.

Most people in the area have no clue about the talent and success. The university does NOT advertise, in any meaningful way, the success of the progra
I don't get it.

I hear you Chad. I've been supporting The Cru going way back to when they played over at Tiger Field! There seems to be a lot of "older" fans up around me and I suppose that my cowbell does tend to be loud at times, but that is the reason for the cowbell...to rally up the fans as well as the players. I like to stand up and yell and cheer when needed. Why someone would go to a football game and treating it like it was Wimbledon?  I've been told that my cowbell can be heard from across the field. I still think that "artificial noise makers" should be allowed during post season play. What is the purpose of having home field advantage if the home team fans can't show their support for their team?

I know I haven't been to the first two games this season due to medical issues, but I plan to be there for the next home game, see you there!

[Etchglow]

That looked a lot more like Crusader football tonight, at least in the second half.

The defense appears to be making some progress. I'm seeing signs of the kind of dominance at the LOS that we've become accustomed to in recent years. Lots of instances where the DL simply overwhelmed the blockers and engulfed the ball carrier at or behind the line. They're starting to attack and swarm with their speed, which is good to see. However, they have to get the penalty issues corrected. Way too many costly offsides penalties.

Special teams have improved as well. I don't cringe on every punt snap anymore, and the return game was pretty strong.

The O-Line was bad (again) in the first half, but managed to wear McMurry down in the second. I'm not sure if Ozias Wright is as good as he looked or if it was just because he was facing a tired defense, but I'd like to see a lot more of him. He looked like our best RB in the action he saw.

All in all, a nice step forward for UMHB. They still have a lot of work to do if they want to get back to where they're accustomed to being, but there were plenty of positives to build on.

I don't know, but from what I saw of Wright I'd like to see him get more playing time.  Overall it was good to get back into the win column.  It was great watching them get the swing pass and short passes to the TE going.  Seemed like those were there most of the night.  TJ Rone continues to be super impressive (as a freshman!).  Looks like he is 6th overall in the ASC in yard per catch, and 7th in yards per game.

I was a bit disappointed at how few people were there for homecoming and all though.  I understayd why, but would've loved to see a packed house.

If I've said it once, I've said it at least 20 times, UMHB fans are fair weather, football fans. The majority aren't all in. They are there to watch football in a nice stadium that doesn't cost them much money. They don't truly follow and root for Cru Football. It's a day in the park where a football game happened to be.

I've been a season ticket holder for 20 years. I can't tell you how many looks of agitation and comments of "be quiet" I've received trying to cheer my team to victory. It's insane. I was raised going to TAMU games. Sorry, not sorry. I can't be quiet.

Most people in the area have no clue about the talent and success. The university does NOT advertise, in any meaningful way, the success of the progra
I don't get it.

I hear you Chad. I've been supporting The Cru going way back to when they played over at Tiger Field! There seems to be a lot of "older" fans up around me and I suppose that my cowbell does tend to be loud at times, but that is the reason for the cowbell...to rally up the fans as well as the players. I like to stand up and yell and cheer when needed. Why someone would go to a football game and treating it like it was Wimbledon?  I've been told that my cowbell can be heard from across the field. I still think that "artificial noise makers" should be allowed during post season play. What is the purpose of having home field advantage if the home team fans can't show their support for their team?

I know I haven't been to the first two games this season due to medical issues, but I plan to be there for the next home game, see you there!

It sure doesn't seem like there are schools that aren't the best at enforcing the artificial noisemaker ban for postseason play (last year's playoff game between umhb and trinity) being a prime example. But, with UMHB's leadership (and some of the stories the couch Cru shared) I can't see that ever flying in belton lol.

Hope you get to feeling better and make it to at least one of the remaining home games. Unfortunately, I've noticed several regulars in our section have passed away or haven't been able to make it this year.

Speaking of random stuff. It is interesting how we've had season tickets in Crusader Stadium for over a decade and tried to get more seats on our row multiple times. But, we are always told that the seats next to us are sold but I can count on one hand how many times I've seen people in them...

[Ralph Turner]

But, we are always told that the seats next to us are sold but I can count on one hand how many times I've seen people in them...

Well you know how those big corporate accounts are. Those CRU megadonors need the seats when big time entertainment is the order of the day.

Definitely a business expense and a corporate write-off.

Oh the travails of big-time football! I understand that it is even worse at Kyle Field.

   

[CRULive1845]

That looked a lot more like Crusader football tonight, at least in the second half.

The defense appears to be making some progress. I'm seeing signs of the kind of dominance at the LOS that we've become accustomed to in recent years. Lots of instances where the DL simply overwhelmed the blockers and engulfed the ball carrier at or behind the line. They're starting to attack and swarm with their speed, which is good to see. However, they have to get the penalty issues corrected. Way too many costly offsides penalties.

Special teams have improved as well. I don't cringe on every punt snap anymore, and the return game was pretty strong.

The O-Line was bad (again) in the first half, but managed to wear McMurry down in the second. I'm not sure if Ozias Wright is as good as he looked or if it was just because he was facing a tired defense, but I'd like to see a lot more of him. He looked like our best RB in the action he saw.

All in all, a nice step forward for UMHB. They still have a lot of work to do if they want to get back to where they're accustomed to being, but there were plenty of positives to build on.

I don't know, but from what I saw of Wright I'd like to see him get more playing time.  Overall it was good to get back into the win column.  It was great watching them get the swing pass and short passes to the TE going.  Seemed like those were there most of the night.  TJ Rone continues to be super impressive (as a freshman!).  Looks like he is 6th overall in the ASC in yard per catch, and 7th in yards per game.

I was a bit disappointed at how few people were there for homecoming and all though.  I understayd why, but would've loved to see a packed house.

I don't know if Wright is the answer considering the bulk of his carries came against lesser comp....BUT I have to think over 8yds per carry vs the other backs being under 4yds per may mean something???

[Ralph Turner]

Please CRU fans.
Consider the opponent.
50-9 is a "gentle" outcome against McM.
The real tests are HSU & HPU.
If UMHB runs the table, then back to San Antonio for a 7-seed going on the road

[Toby Taff]

Please CRU fans.
Consider the opponent.
50-9 is a "gentle" outcome against McM.
The real tests are HSU & HPU.
If UMHB runs the table, then back to San Antonio for a 7-seed going on the road

Gotta go back to 2011 and the Hal Mumme era to find a UMHB score under 60 points vs McM, so yes consider the opponent. That said, coming out in the second half the Cru looked much more Cru like. Were using their speed better than what had been seen, Oline looked some better than they had. Ozias Wright looked like he was could be a great addition to the offense... shifty, quick and strong. I like Cormier, but our o-line right now can't get the push needed for him to bull through the line consistently. The WR mix was more extensive. Some guys spent a lot of time on the field that hadn't been there and made some inportant catches. I like the improvement I've seen and look forward to the next steps. We'll see just how big the steps are in a month.

[UMHB03]

Please CRU fans.
Consider the opponent.
50-9 is a "gentle" outcome against McM.
The real tests are HSU & HPU.
If UMHB runs the table, then back to San Antonio for a 7-seed going on the road

Agree, but McMurry looks better this year than the teams they've fielded in the recent past, based on their other games this year. Not good, but better.

When you consider that the UMHB team that faced UWRF didn't look much better than McMurry, I'm just taking solace in the fact that the team is making some progress. They still have a long way to go, but they seem to be headed in the right direction at least.

[Etchglow]

Please CRU fans.
Consider the opponent.
50-9 is a "gentle" outcome against McM.
The real tests are HSU & HPU.
If UMHB runs the table, then back to San Antonio for a 7-seed going on the road

Hey now, we've just come off of a historic losing streak, give us some joy in a win!

[Ralph Turner]

Please CRU fans.
Consider the opponent.
50-9 is a "gentle" outcome against McM.
The real tests are HSU & HPU.
If UMHB runs the table, then back to San Antonio for a 7-seed going on the road

Hey now, we've just come off of a historic losing streak, give us some joy in a win!

Losing to McMurry would be historic! UMHB has not lost to McMurry in this millenium!