FB: American Southwest Conference

[Ralph Turner]

minni, I suggest that you consult your PCP (Primary Care Physician) about those little voices that you have in your head.

For the sake of your family, I think everything will work out all right.

[bigcat1106]

i'm curious as to know how the number four offense in the country doesn't place a single player on first team all-conference...records should be thrown out the window when it comes to post-season awards for this very reason...and since when do you take up two spots in selections by putting superlatives on first team as well...Justin Johnson leads the conference in receptions/game as well as yards rec/game and he can't make one of three spots for first team receiver?  the same thing happened with Schuyler Anderson of LC last year...then their quarterback leads the NATION in offensive yards/game and can't make first team because Sellers, who by the way is very deserving of offensive player of the year, gets the superlative and the first team slot...have we honestly allowed politics to creep into our voting that much??? sure would like some replies to this one...

[Josh Bowerman]

I can only assume, from your email address, EAD/PIB, that you are in fact the Link Harris that I enjoyed watching not too many years ago at the DT position.  You and Robert Brown made one hell of a high/low combination on the defensive side of the ball.

I've been watching HSU for a long time.  And, while I respect the fact that you played and your on-field accomplishments, I think that you should respect the experience I've had.  And as a fellow turkey, I'll forgive you for the "moron" comment.

I simply disagree with your statement, Link.  I think our defense was a very average defense--by HSU standards--this year.  Statistically, also, it was middle of the pack in most areas when compared to other conference teams.  Confidence/swagger-wise, I think we were way down compared to other years.

Also, while I understand your point about the other teams getting better, we should be getting better, too.  Those other teams can't simply be getting better at our expense.  This seems to be a bit of--I'll say it--a trend developing.  I hope that I AM wrong about that.

I think my assessment was pretty fair, actually.  It does speak to the quality and expectations of a program, however, when an 8-2 season can be considered disappointing.

[minni]

Bowerman redo your research!!!!!

[Ron Boerger]

I just talked to one of my sources at Austin College.  David Norman is stepping down as head football coach.  It was a mutual decision in every sense of the word.  His new position was created especially for him to aid AC in the transition from the ASC to the SCAC and is a promotion for him as well.

roocru, thanks for expanding on this.  It would seem terribly unfair to kick Coach Norman out just as AC got into a situation where the liklihood for success is much greater.   I wish him and AC nothing but the best going forward.

[evacuee]

I think HSU's problems started very early in the season.  Whenever a team comes storming out of the gates like the Cowboys did, it's extremely difficult to maintain that level of play for an entire season.  Then, of course, was the QB trouble right before the biggest game of the year.  HSU was excellent this year.  They just started too quickly to finish strong.   

[Bill McCabe]

HSU lost 2 games and were ranked high all year.  They were beaten soundly by UMHB and surprisingly lost to TLU.  I don't know what difficulties they had, except they lost a very good QB.

[Josh Bowerman]

What did I get wrong, Brad?

[Bill McCabe]

Ron, in looking at the stats you posted, it looks it will come down to which defense controls the game.  Kelner and Williams appear to be about equal in returns.  Kelner is about as good of a receiver as the CRU will face. He made some spectacular catches last year.  UMHB will have to control the ball like they did last year and put pressure on Cannon.

[etbualum]

Bigcat

The all conf teams have to do with nominations, and voting.  If I am not mistaken it has to do with the coaches, maybe SIDs, and a select few media types.  Too many times the voters dont bother to look at the stats, and or discredit the stats because of who they were acheived against, or the teams record.  Either way several very deserving players end up getting overlooked every year.   I think Johnson was pretty good, and deserving of a first team slot.  I think he should have gotten the spot since May got the second returner spot.  Obviously if he makes it at one position everyone knows he is a good football player.   I think if you win a player of the year award then you are part of the all conference team and you could open those spots up. Too many times the voters go with the team that does well.  Look at the defensive lineman of the year.  Compare the two players stats and you will see how much of a joke the voting can be.  Nothing against reed, but his numbers are about half of what Glovers are.   Its tough and some might even argue that the current system has too many spots already.

Good luck MHB

[Bill McCabe]

Hunter Hamrick had an outstanding season as the UMHB punter.  Time after time he got the Cru out of the hole with a great punt.  He could play a big factor in Saturday's outcome.

[bigcat1106]

i appreciate the response etbu...sure would like some more...this all-conference voting is absolutely rediculous and needs to be altered in some way to get the deserving players on it...we have superlatives doubling up on first team spots and taking away from guys further down the line...in a conference this tough, especially with the bottom tier of teams getting better every year, why would anyone think that stats don't matter when it comes to post-season awards...somebody please explain this to me

[Pat Coleman]

Well to those that think TU will be no contest might want to be a little more cautious.  As far as total defense MHB ranks 17th in the country with 256.7 yds allowed per game, TU ranks 24 with 261.8.  In scoring defense MHB ranks 5th allowing 9.9 points a game and TU ranks 3rd allowing 9.2 points per game.  I think this is going to be a good game, as it has been over the past years, but I dont believe that MHB will walk over Tigers and might be suprised at how physical these tigers are,  compared to the past.

were do you find these rankings I have been looking all over the internet I was curious to see where UMHB was ranked.

Or, if you go to the front page (or any news page) of D3football.com, there's a link that says "NCAA Stats".

[Ron Boerger]

HSU lost 2 games and were ranked high all year.  They were beaten soundly by UMHB and surprisingly lost to TLU.  I don't know what difficulties they had, except they lost a very good QB.

TWO good QBs.  They were down to their third-stringer by the last few games. 

[CruGuy]

why would anyone think that stats don't matter when it comes to post-season awards...somebody please explain this to me

Some teams get to leave their players in for the entire game, some teams have to take their players out after half time or people call them classless and attack their moral character on boards like this. That is why stats don't matter. UMHB's free safties and corners might have considerably fewer tackles than some other team's free safety and that has nothing to do with their ability. It has to do with the UMHB defensive line, the UMHB offense holding the ball for much of the game, and their own lack of playing time. That is why stats don't matter. I'm sure these positions are voted on by the coaches and they know who is deserving and who isn't, regardless of stats.