FB: American Southwest Conference

[tigerguy]

CRU beat themselves today. Outgained HSU by 125 yet lose by 10. Special teams and the inability to stretch the field ultimately dooms them. See y'all in the playoffs HSU, congrats.

[crufootball]

Whoever is running the camera for the HSU game is struggling

Feels like almost all D3FB production teams need to follow 3 very simple rules.

1. Zoom out, we would rather see the whole play as opposed to your attempt to follow the ball
2. Never show field level cameras during a live play.
3. Don't overproduce, I don't need replays if the offense is moving quickly.

Having just watched a bunch of Maryville-Belhaven with the camera locked off at the All-122 view, there needs to be some balance there.

I don't mind the HSU broadcast but yes, at times it's a little tight.

Agreed it wasn't that bad, it just drives me nuts (especially when my guys aren't play great) when I don't even get to see what is going on because the production guys are trying a bit too hard.

[UMHB03]

I know D3 isn't as cut-throat as D1, but I'm wondering how much time Harmon gets. From a dominant national champ under Fredenburg in 2021 to missing the playoffs for the first time in 20 years in Harmon's second season. I haven't seen a bigger collapse for a program since UT after the 2009 season.

At the very least he needs to get rid of Padron, but this is just an undisciplined, sloppy team with no fire, and that usually goes right to the top.

[Etchglow]

Well, I suppose I can look on the bright side, I can go hunting on Saturdays after the 11th this year for the first time in a while...

[zipmac22]

I agree that under Coach Harmon's watch, the team has lost its dominance in a short two years. How long will Coach Harmon be allowed to drag the team down? I wonder if Coach Pete has any thoughts of coming back to get the team back in shape? Sitting out the play offs this year will allow The Cru to face the music and let them realize that they can't sit back on the laurels of years past. The last two games of the season will show just how dedicated the team is and how much they want it.

[Etchglow]

I agree that under Coach Harmon's watch, the team has lost its dominance in a short two years. How long will Coach Harmon be allowed to drag the team down? I wonder if Coach Pete has any thoughts of coming back to get the team back in shape? Sitting out the play offs this year will allow The Cru to face the music and let them realize that they can't sit back on the laurels of years past. The last two games of the season will show just how dedicated the team is and how much they want it.

So, I looked it up, UMHB is averaging it's lowest ppg since 2001, and has its most losses since 1999

[The Third Division]

I agree that under Coach Harmon's watch, the team has lost its dominance in a short two years. How long will Coach Harmon be allowed to drag the team down? I wonder if Coach Pete has any thoughts of coming back to get the team back in shape? Sitting out the play offs this year will allow The Cru to face the music and let them realize that they can't sit back on the laurels of years past. The last two games of the season will show just how dedicated the team is and how much they want it.

Or they just slack off and not care cause they know they're not gonna make the playoffs anymore.

[CruFrenzy]

Congrats to Hardin Simmons on the win, look forward to seeing how the rest of your season plays out.

Now, in regards to UMHB.. I think it's clear a business decision has to be made for the sake of the program. I've been around UMHB football since the early 2000s (basically the beginning, just before our first stagg bowl appearance) and while we likely still have top 10 talent in D3, if not better, we have clearly lost some things as a program that are substantially more important than talent.

Many of us saw this coming last season when we couldn't put 4 qtrs together with the best offense in the nation returning almost every starters.

So yes, a business decision must be made immediately to maintain the UMHB football standard of excellence. Otherwise we will likely continue to move backwards, which is really hard to believe at this point but here we are. We have the BEST facilities in the country, we have 3 national titles in the last 7 seasons including 5 appearances and numerous recruiting advantages over 99.9% of the other institutions in D3. My worst fear is letting this mediocrity linger... I know we aren't used to it as a program but the search needs to begin tomorrow.

I believe this is more than a fair assessment and I'm open to any pushback, I really just want our program to be at the top again and I see no reason why it shouldn't be given the advantages.

[CowboyAlum261]

Mitchell and Michna combined for 24 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. This team is different with those 2 playing defense, and I wish we could re-play Endicott with those 2 healthy. And the HSU run game was effective enough to win the game. This game is exactly what we will need to see if HSU is going to advance in the playoffs.

I really don't think this Cru team is that different from some of the great sides from years past. It just feels like the mindset has changed. Those classic Cru teams would just line up and smother people. I think they still have the personnel to do that, the team just doesn't seem to have that philosophy anymore.

The future is uncertain for both of these schools. My sincere hope, is that no matter where we end up—D3, D2, NAIA, or something else—these schools are able to stay together. This is a great rivalry and I think the two schools are good for each other. Here's hoping this game keeps going for a long time.

[Toby Taff]

Mitchell and Michna combined for 24 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. This team is different with those 2 playing defense, and I wish we could re-play Endicott with those 2 healthy. And the HSU run game was effective enough to win the game. This game is exactly what we will need to see if HSU is going to advance in the playoffs.

I really don't think this Cru team is that different from some of the great sides from years past. It just feels like the mindset has changed. Those classic Cru teams would just line up and smother people. I think they still have the personnel to do that, the team just doesn't seem to have that philosophy anymore.

The future is uncertain for both of these schools. My sincere hope, is that no matter where we end up—D3, D2, NAIA, or something else—these schools are able to stay together. This is a great rivalry and I think the two schools are good for each other. Here's hoping this game keeps going for a long time.

I agree that the main issue with this squad is attitude. I'd compare it to entitled children that get whatever they want and are stunned when they don't get what they want because that ain't how the world works. These guys are uber talented but seem to expect they get to win because the letters say UMHB. With few exceptions I feel like i'm watching a team that doesn't have the grind it out grit I've come to expect. Maybe having a great QB and all world reciever made some folks think they were better than they were, but between the youth/immaturity and bad special teams play all season long this team was not the one.

I'm not sure what the answer is, but this is the second year in a row I haven't been impressed with our offensive scheme. we didn't maximize our talent last year and this year has been fairly pedestrian. The OLine has been spotty at best, and the defense has flashes of the greatness of old and then looks "slow" covering the edges and allows big gains in the rushing game. Someone needs to find an answer.

All that said, Congratulations to Alma mater #2. I hope you make the dissolving ASC proud in the playoffs, although I think If you play like you did today, Trinity runs away with it. Take the last 2 weeks and get tuned up. Oh, and don't forget that there is a next year, and a lot of the young guys that showed they had the talent to win today but lacked the discipline sat and soaked in the disappointment after the game. Maybe that'll light the fire that's missing this season.

[CRULive1845]

Congrats to Hardin Simmons on the win, look forward to seeing how the rest of your season plays out.

Now, in regards to UMHB.. I think it's clear a business decision has to be made for the sake of the program. I've been around UMHB football since the early 2000s (basically the beginning, just before our first stagg bowl appearance) and while we likely still have top 10 talent in D3, if not better, we have clearly lost some things as a program that are substantially more important than talent.

Many of us saw this coming last season when we couldn't put 4 qtrs together with the best offense in the nation returning almost every starters.

So yes, a business decision must be made immediately to maintain the UMHB football standard of excellence. Otherwise we will likely continue to move backwards, which is really hard to believe at this point but here we are. We have the BEST facilities in the country, we have 3 national titles in the last 7 seasons including 5 appearances and numerous recruiting advantages over 99.9% of the other institutions in D3. My worst fear is letting this mediocrity linger... I know we aren't used to it as a program but the search needs to begin tomorrow.

I believe this is more than a fair assessment and I'm open to any pushback, I really just want our program to be at the top again and I see no reason why it shouldn't be given the advantages.

Pushback:

Toughest non conference schedule in program history while trying to completely rebuild the offense. One returning starter on line. One returning receiver (3rd option in 2022), Trying to find a QB (Tingler didn't get any meaningful snaps in 2 yrs on Varsity, had to settle on a sophomore 3rd string).

With a typical CRU non conference schedule, UMHB is probably 7-1 or 6-2 after dropping the HSU game.

Agreement:

Last season's offensive play selection was questionable at times and seemed to rely too much on throw it up to B. Jordan. Great option to have but definitely more effective when you are distributing the ball to other receivers.

Although I don't think this is the new norm for the CRU, some big-time soul searching and analysis needs to be done by the coaches and players to ensure this seasons lack of discipline does not become a trend.

My Insight:

Personally, I don't think Phe is the long term solution at QB. He doesn't seem to have the zip necessary on the ball to be a top notch passer. Also have seen him throw some bad balls into coverage that he lucked out didn't get picked against the weaker teams in the ASC. I'm interested to see what the freshman Whitehead can do. Wonder if they will start finding ways to play guys to see what they have for next season.

God lord the penalties this year have just been atrocious. Maybe that is entitlement or not bringing in the right character guys in favor of "talent"...idk, but CRU have been undisciplined all year and giving way too much free yardage all season. Harmon has to get that under control next year!

[TheChucker]

Congrats to Hardin Simmons on the win, look forward to seeing how the rest of your season plays out.

Now, in regards to UMHB.. I think it's clear a business decision has to be made for the sake of the program. I've been around UMHB football since the early 2000s (basically the beginning, just before our first stagg bowl appearance) and while we likely still have top 10 talent in D3, if not better, we have clearly lost some things as a program that are substantially more important than talent.

Many of us saw this coming last season when we couldn't put 4 qtrs together with the best offense in the nation returning almost every starters.

So yes, a business decision must be made immediately to maintain the UMHB football standard of excellence. Otherwise we will likely continue to move backwards, which is really hard to believe at this point but here we are. We have the BEST facilities in the country, we have 3 national titles in the last 7 seasons including 5 appearances and numerous recruiting advantages over 99.9% of the other institutions in D3. My worst fear is letting this mediocrity linger... I know we aren't used to it as a program but the search needs to begin tomorrow.

I believe this is more than a fair assessment and I'm open to any pushback, I really just want our program to be at the top again and I see no reason why it shouldn't be given the advantages.

Pushback:

Toughest non conference schedule in program history while trying to completely rebuild the offense. One returning starter on line. One returning receiver (3rd option in 2022), Trying to find a QB (Tingler didn't get any meaningful snaps in 2 yrs on Varsity, had to settle on a sophomore 3rd string).

With a typical CRU non conference schedule, UMHB is probably 7-1 or 6-2 after dropping the HSU game.

Agreement:

Last season's offensive play selection was questionable at times and seemed to rely too much on throw it up to B. Jordan. Great option to have but definitely more effective when you are distributing the ball to other receivers.

Although I don't think this is the new norm for the CRU, some big-time soul searching and analysis needs to be done by the coaches and players to ensure this seasons lack of discipline does not become a trend.

My Insight:

Personally, I don't think Phe is the long term solution at QB. He doesn't seem to have the zip necessary on the ball to be a top notch passer. Also have seen him throw some bad balls into coverage that he lucked out didn't get picked against the weaker teams in the ASC. I'm interested to see what the freshman Whitehead can do. Wonder if they will start finding ways to play guys to see what they have for next season.

God lord the penalties this year have just been atrocious. Maybe that is entitlement or not bringing in the right character guys in favor of "talent"...idk, but CRU have been undisciplined all year and giving way too much free yardage all season. Harmon has to get that under control next year!

Until checking the stats from your comment, I didn't realize penalties per game had gone up so much. Fans always notice penalties more in close games and I had written it off as that.

Penalty YPG
2023    67.50
2022    50.30
2021    44.80
2020    47.00
2019    40.50
2018    40.60

[UMHB03]

I agree that under Coach Harmon's watch, the team has lost its dominance in a short two years. How long will Coach Harmon be allowed to drag the team down? I wonder if Coach Pete has any thoughts of coming back to get the team back in shape? Sitting out the play offs this year will allow The Cru to face the music and let them realize that they can't sit back on the laurels of years past. The last two games of the season will show just how dedicated the team is and how much they want it.

Or they just slack off and not care cause they know they're not gonna make the playoffs anymore.

The next two games need to be a try out for next year. Find who really wants to go out and play with discipline and pride. Anyone who doesn't can ride the pine and take the off season to decide whether they want to be a part of this program.

[umhb2001]

Congrats to HSU. You stayed focused, played fundamentally, and beat us.

That being said, I won't be rooting for you to win. Sorry...Not Sorry. I hope you get monkey-stomped at some point.

Also, I don't think the talent level was that much different. We had the talent, but a lack of focus, poor Oine coaching, and poor Offensive play calling really hurt us. The talent level could be there, but the ability to catch wide open passes is not. We need guys who can catch the ball. I don't care about height, we need guys with glue for hands.

I like Phe. I think he is good. He is young and was thrust into a situation he wasn't prepared for. Again, he never got any snaps in either of the scrimmages. Poor coaching. It would seem they don't know how to assess the talent and put the best guys on the field.

I think that Padron needs to go. He is not the answer. He underachieved last year with all of the talent in the world. The talent made up for the lack of creativity.

We can't expect Coach Fred to come back. If that were to happen, Harmon would be gone. I can't see him sticking around for that.

Oh well. I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday season. Jesus is the answer. With biblical prophecy happening before our eyes, it's time to get right with God. Blessings.

[TLU02SA]

Oh well. I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday season. Jesus is the answer. With biblical prophecy happening before our eyes, it's time to get right with God. Blessings.

So UMHB not making the playoffs is prophetic?