FB: American Southwest Conference

[umhb2001]

I think what upsets me the most is that I'm siting here watching HSU. They have several transfers as well including a QB. He is right in step with the wide receivers. The Oline is dominating HPU.

Why is UMHB not doing this as well? Why has our Oline been so porous? Why does a second year QB look like he has 0 clue back there? I just don't get it.

Our WRs look very good and very capable yet many times we ran the ball even when we were 3rd and long. The OC seems to have no real plan and resigns himself to calling about 7 plays over and over. The newspaper said that the play calling was going to be more dynamic and creative with returners this year.

We will be lucky to win a game if we continue to play like that. We will definitely NOT beat UWW like that. If we don't win 60-0 next week, then we are doomed.

I'm not that doom and gloom yet but yeah, the play calling baffled me. A lot of the time it seemed like they didn't trust Phe to throw the ball. (that one drive that started around the 10 yard line in the 4th that was just straight runs stands out). But if they don't trust him to do that, why not try someone else?

Exactly! What was that all about? That makes no sense. We have so many good WRs and the play calling was simply horrible.

[Crubacker]

After 3 picks, they should have given another QB a shot, maybe ignite a spark.  But again, the play calling was atrocious!  OC was way to predictable in his play calling and they should be able to audible when they see a blitz-----wasn't happening!

[baddog]

Just a few observations:
1. Nobody hates losing more than I.
2. I have been disappointed with my teams' losses too many times to remember.
3. We fans must always remember that our players and coaches hate losing, too.
4. It's D3 and the players are young men and, in a sense, paying to play. (Well, that's what D3 is supposed to be about.)
5. We fans are not the ones practicing in pads, etc. in the preseason nor the ones in the weight room in the Spring. Nor are we the ones pouring over film, counseling players (and parents), planning practices, and the other many duties of coaches.
6. We fans are not entitled to winning - as much as we revel in it and as much as we have experienced.
7. This was the first game of the season. We should make no more nor no less of either wins or losses than that.
8. From what I could find,Bethel of Tennessee was ranked #8 in NAIA this preseason. Make of that what you will. The point is, they were not pushovers.

These are things we ALL need to remember. In Spanish: solamente digo.

[bleedpurple]

Just a few observations:
1. Nobody hates losing more than I.
2. I have been disappointed with my teams' losses too many times to remember.
3. We fans must always remember that our players and coaches hate losing, too.
4. It's D3 and the players are young men and, in a sense, paying to play. (Well, that's what D3 is supposed to be about.)
5. We fans are not the ones practicing in pads, etc. in the preseason nor the ones in the weight room in the Spring. Nor are we the ones pouring over film, counseling players (and parents), planning practices, and the other many duties of coaches.
6. We fans are not entitled to winning - as much as we revel in it and as much as we have experienced.
7. This was the first game of the season. We should make no more nor no less of either wins or losses than that.
8. From what I could find,Bethel of Tennessee was ranked #8 in NAIA this preseason. Make of that what you will. The point is, they were not pushovers.

These are things we ALL need to remember. In Spanish: solamente digo.

This is all very true. Thank you for pointing it out!  But it's also true that the passionate fans who are expressing themselves are not doing so based on this result alone. Context is also important because last year similar conerns were expressed as well.  It feels like a continuation of concerns that run deeper than the result of Saturday's game. For example, making the best use of their immense talent, high roster turnover, and the direction of the program. I am obviously in no position to agree or disagree with the concerns as I am just an observer far outside of Belton. But the tenor of what I'm reading doesn't seem like it's just based on this one result.

[baddog]

Agreed. Just a caution that none of us allow our passion become entitlement. And that line is often very fine.

[umhb2001]

I completely agree on those points.

My issue is that because it's D3, people say we have to be careful with what we say. If this was a D1 message board and we were FSU fans, we would see even more frustration, beat writers would be asking tough questions, and coaches would be making statements post game. Because it's D3, coaches get away without making statements, beat writers are too few, and frustration is shoved aside as being inconsiderate.

No, we don't suit up, juggle class and practice, and pour over film, but we do buy season tickets, buy gear, juggle families and games, and travel to support the team. I think that gives us some room to be upset. While honoring the players and being respectful is the highest standard, the truth is, most of these players came to UMHB to play for a team they've probably never heard of or watched. As fans, we need to help them understand the history and expectations of our club.

Maybe I'm alone in that thought. I can definitely change.

[Crubacker]

With the talent they have, the play calling was absurd and too predictable.   I would have rather watch paint dry.

[Crubacker]

Was looking at the standings on the D3 site and they don't have anything for the SCAC----------------Texas Lutheran, McMurray, Austin College, etc...

[UMHB03]

I completely agree on those points.

My issue is that because it's D3, people say we have to be careful with what we say. If this was a D1 message board and we were FSU fans, we would see even more frustration, beat writers would be asking tough questions, and coaches would be making statements post game. Because it's D3, coaches get away without making statements, beat writers are too few, and frustration is shoved aside as being inconsiderate.

No, we don't suit up, juggle class and practice, and pour over film, but we do buy season tickets, buy gear, juggle families and games, and travel to support the team. I think that gives us some room to be upset. While honoring the players and being respectful is the highest standard, the truth is, most of these players came to UMHB to play for a team they've probably never heard of or watched. As fans, we need to help them understand the history and expectations of our club.

Maybe I'm alone in that thought. I can definitely change.

Well said. D3 is clearly not as "big time" as D1, but it's also not intramurals or rec league. UMHB has built a tradition to be proud of, and it is a privilege to represent that tradition. This is particularly true of the coaches, who are being paid.

Coach Fred spent almost 25 years building a program with a strong foundation, and it took Harmon only a couple of years to destroy it. This program is unrecognizable from just 2-3 years ago. I will always love and take pride in my alma mater, but if the folks in charge expect us to show up and spend money on the football program, they need to show us that they're serious about maintaining a program worthy of the university, and the legacy Fredenburg created.           

[umhb2001]

I completely agree on those points.

My issue is that because it's D3, people say we have to be careful with what we say. If this was a D1 message board and we were FSU fans, we would see even more frustration, beat writers would be asking tough questions, and coaches would be making statements post game. Because it's D3, coaches get away without making statements, beat writers are too few, and frustration is shoved aside as being inconsiderate.

No, we don't suit up, juggle class and practice, and pour over film, but we do buy season tickets, buy gear, juggle families and games, and travel to support the team. I think that gives us some room to be upset. While honoring the players and being respectful is the highest standard, the truth is, most of these players came to UMHB to play for a team they've probably never heard of or watched. As fans, we need to help them understand the history and expectations of our club.

Maybe I'm alone in that thought. I can definitely change.

Well said. D3 is clearly not as "big time" as D1, but it's also not intramurals or rec league. UMHB has built a tradition to be proud of, and it is a privilege to represent that tradition. This is particularly true of the coaches, who are being paid.

Coach Fred spent almost 25 years building a program with a strong foundation, and it took Harmon less than 3 years to destroy it. This program is unrecognizable from just 2-3 years ago. I will always love and take pride in my alma mater, but if the folks in charge expect us to show up and spend money on the football program, they need to show us that they're serious about maintaining a program worthy of the university, and the legacy Fredenburg created.           

Agreed

[Hawks88]

Was looking at the standings on the D3 site and they don't have anything for the SCAC----------------Texas Lutheran, McMurray, Austin College, etc...

I noticed that earlier too and sent a message to Pat.

[CruFrenzy]

I have had about 24 hours to think before commenting on yesterday's performance and the state of the program...

1.) The UMHB defense is good this season & has enough talent to be great, that's obvious. The defense only allowed 13 points because the 60+ yard scoop and score was on the offense.

2.) Phe had 4 INT's and we had 5 turnovers. I would expect there to be a legit battle this week at QB and would not be shocked to see a change or at least some rotation.

3.) We lost 20+ players who contributed last season and went full send on the transfer portal bringing in almost 30 transfers including 6 power 4 players. I think if you are going to commit to taking that approach as a program you need to fully commit, not half commit. The most talented players need to be on the field on both sides of the ball and in many cases they weren't.

Ron Tatum III and Billy Ferrell played some but mostly rotated. We have a legit P4 WR from Texas Tech that didn't see the field, our offense could clearly use that.

Long story short, the defense is a bright spot and potentially elite if we will play our best players instead of players that have been mediocre for us for 3 years.

The offense was bad, some of that was play calling and ALOT of it was the QB. Same goes for the offense as far as playing your best players, make it happen cappin' (Harmon).

[BLynn]

As an NAIA'er, I was surprised at 2 things. I did not expect a W by Bethel, just a tight game. And, how fast the fall from annual contender for a D3 title to not making the playoffs for UMHB. Since they lost to Linfield in the title game about 20 years ago, the Crusaders have been a Top 5 or 10 team ever since.

But coaching at this level is everything.

[crufootball]

Was looking at the standings on the D3 site and they don't have anything for the SCAC----------------Texas Lutheran, McMurray, Austin College, etc...

I noticed that earlier too and sent a message to Pat.

I wonder if that has something to do with them going pay per view, I thought Pat said it would affect their ability to post scores since they were not going to pay those conferences.

[Ron Boerger]

Not sure where you are looking.  The SCAC standings are in the https://d3football.com/seasons/2024/index page (which you get to from the top menu; Scores > Standings - worked both on desktop and mobile).