FB: American Southwest Conference

[TX2OK]

sounds like HSU and UMHB had some early trouble but as usual the better teams end up on top.

UMHB vs HSU.  This is the big one.   Two talented teams who always play each other well. 

Game in Belton, UMHB all the way!

[imad3fanatic]

In reference to: O Indians, where are you? Come out, come out, wherever you are. 

imad3fanatic -- Keep in mind that there can be a very short distance between chest-thumping and breast-beating. Both the generic Native-Americans and the specific Choctaw type are just shifting those gears.

[b]Hey, BD - Just trying to give Indians a chance to clarify any of his comments. It is possible he is merely misunderstood. I made no claims regarding either team.

[Indians]

If the game was 15 minutes long I would have been right.   :)If McM ever learns that it is ok to have  a running attack and keep defense off the field and realize that a running attack can set up a passing attack they would be better.  That is not the same UMHB team as the past few years.  They are good but not great. 

[Bill McCabe]

Indians, maybe it isn't the same McM team.  The past few years UMHB has destroyed them.  I hope it is a case of McM getting better.

[Toby Taff]

Indians,

I won't disagree on the MHB assessment completely, and I agree with McM comments.  McM has the makings of a real good team.  

Having watched UMHB for a few years sometimes they come off what some people in Texas call sneaky good.  That's the type of good that looks mundane, boring or even mediocre, but when the game is over they have a couple hundred yards rushing and 30 - 50 pts on the board.  This team seemingly has no flash.  We have seen no PJ Williams type of receiver.  PJ could make QBs look good because, as a former minor league center fielder, he knew how to find a ball in the air and he was fast enough to get to it.  He was also slippery when running so he was always a threat.  No one has really shown that yet.  Now MHB does have a Freshman WR that is supposed to be a threat, #6 Fred Cumby.  He's 6'2" 195 and currently has 6 catches for 91 yds.  He did not play Saturday because he was in a car wreck and was pretty beat up from what I heard.  Maybe he'll add the flash, but until then it will likely be grind it out mundane football.

[Bill McCabe]

mhb8904, the Cru are at their best when they control the ball and the clock with their running game and use a dominating defense to give them a short field.  Many times, they have looked like they were in trouble in the first half, but then they wear down their opponent in the 3rd and 4th quarter.  Seems like they are using the same game plan this year.

[Toby Taff]

mhb8904, the Cru are at their best when they control the ball and the clock with their running game and use a dominating defense to give them a short field.  Many times, they have looked like they were in trouble in the first half, but then they wear down their opponent in the 3rd and 4th quarter.  Seems like they are using the same game plan this year.

That's basically what I meant by boring, mundane football.  It looks like nothing is going on but then you look up and the score isn't very close.  My concern is about having a big play threat (other than Thrasher or Rollins) that can make the big catch/ catch and run and demoralize a team.

[Indians]

It is the same McM team, they do have older players for the first time in years that helps.  You put a running game with that McM QB last year, 3 more wins.  I will never understand why more teams do do what UMHB does.  RUN the ball.  They are a medicore team this year with a great system.  I promise it keeps games close, defenses fresh, and when you wear a team out , boom, a big play.  HSU could have two or three national championships if they ran the ball.  They have had the talent.  Look at big schools, ie Ohio state, small ones mount union.  The establish the run and keep defense off the field and fresh and then dominate.  Too many mistakes can happen with passing teams once they play a team with equal talent.  I just want to see Mcm win again.  They could have Sat.  UP 9-0.  Run the clock.  What do they do pass.  3 and out.  here is the D against a good UMHB that was looking for a chance to break out and they gave it to them.   McM offense is a bad system, makes talent look worse than it is.  defense is good though. 

[CruAlum39]

Indians--
        I would not say UMHB is a mediocre team this year.  Not as good in years past--maybe, i dont know--.  My protocol for a mediocre team is a team that is at or close to .500.  UMHB has not been near there since 2000 and have a record of 62-10, regular and post season, (i think) from 2000 to date.  That totals out to a .861 win percentage.  I think it is a little early in the season to call them a mediocre team, based on past and present success.  I think until they lose 3-4 games in a season, we should give them the benefit of the doubt in saying they at least a "good" team.  I think McM is on the rise, along with other teams in the conference, but I still believe that HSU and UMHB are still the ASC powerhouses (and I dont think I speak alone).


       McMurry may have tried their passing game as much as they did because  of the fact that UMHB's D was giving up an average of about -3 yds per game.  I'm not sure, but I think this may have been a factor. 
     
       On another note, HSU did run the ball, and they ran it well.  I know this because I played against them in 2004 when they had a running back by the name of Lance Moore, who was a Gagliardi finalist his senior year.  They had an great offensive line and a balance pass attack with Jordan Neal and a good receiving core.  Running the ball to keep YOUR offense off the field was exactly what they tried to do, but they still had the guys to make that "big play" when they needed to.  And against UMHB in Game 7 of '04, they made many of those plays.

Just my .02,

BEAT THEM COWBOYS! 

[Josh Bowerman]

I'm going to take a shot at some early "Keys to Victory" for this weekend's UMHB/HSU tilt.  Please feel free to add some of your own, or to point out things I may have missed.

UMHB's Five Keys to Beating HSU

1.  The forward pass.  Shon Rochon and PJ Williams have given the Crusaders a home run threat on the outside for the past three years, and UMHB has been able to cash in on several big plays over the Cowboys during that same time period.  Both gone now, however, and the Crusaders have struggled thus far to averaging just over 100 yards/game through the air.  Given injuries in the wide receiving corps and the fact that HSU will likely load up with personnel to stop the run, an effective passing game is critical to the Crusaders' success.

2.  Stop the HSU rushing attack.  The Crusaders have given up a net negative rushing yards thus far this season--and they've played four games!  While this stat does take into consideration QB sacks, the rush defense UMHB has played this year has nonetheless been outstanding.  With HSU's balance on offense, the Crusaders will need to continue their defensive dominance to force HSU to become a one-deminsional team.

3.  Win the battle for field position.  Last year, UMHB had an average starting field position of around midfield, while HSU started inside their own 30.  Given the strong rushing attack the Crusaders employ and their questionable passing attack thus far, working a short field and staying out of long yardage situations will be key.

4.  Pressure the QB.  The Crusaders have already intercepted seven passes this season, which is impressive.  More impressive, though, is the fact that they've recorded 18 sacks.  Getting quick pressure on Jordan Neal before he can go through his read progression/before the Cowboy receivers get too far down field is a must.

5.  Win the Time of Possession Battle.  Simply put, when the Crusaders have the ball, the other team can't score.  With the new clock rules in effect this season, UMHB will eat up well over 30 minutes per game if they're accomplishing their other offensive objectives.

HSU's Five Keys to Beating UMHB

1.  Don't give up big plays.  Over the course of the last five meetings between these two teams, the big play has killed the Cowboys.  Fortunately for HSU, Rochon and Williams aren't on the squad for the Crusaders anymore.  However, forcing UMHB into long yardage situations and stopping the Crusaders on third down will be critical to HSU success.

2.  Keep your balance.   HSU has actually run the ball more often than passed it this season (98 to 91 plays), and getting Quentin Jones and Justin Greene carries to keep the front seven of the Crusader defense honest is a key.  HSU is averaging over 130 YPG on the ground, while UMHB is giving up an average of negative yardage thus far.  The Cowboys need to establish the run to help set up the passing game to be as effective as it can be.

3.  No turnovers.  Usually, the team that turns the ball over the least wins the game when two evenly matched squads square off against one another.  HSU has been a little loose with the ball at times this season, and the Crusader defense is good enough to take greater advantage of this than have HSU's previous opponents this season.

4.  Strong up front.  HSU must force UMHB into passing situations in order to be effective, which means stopping the run and flooding the line of scrimmage with personnel.  It's not enough to just bring the rush for the Cowboys, though--they must finish off the play and tackle well.  Offensively, the HSU O-Line must control the line of scrimmage.

5.  Score in red zone.   HSU has only scored TDs in 60% of their red zone opportunities so far this season, and only scored overall at a 73% clip.  Many of the HSU turnovers have come inside the opponents red zone, as well.  Finishing drives is a must for the HSU offense.

That's how I see the game on paper.  I'm looking forward to being there in person for the first time ever on Saturday, and as always, will have my camera in tow.  Please say "hi" if you see me, and as usual, parents/players can contact me via private message or email offline with any special photographic requests.

Also, please feel free to make additional suggestions on game keys, as they'll be helpful in knowing what to look for while I'm photographing the game.

[Bill McCabe]

Josh, great analysis, but I think the game comes down to one thing, TURNOVERS!  The team that wins the turnover battle will win the game.  Should be a lot of fun and a great atmosphere.

[Ralph Turner]

I saw HSU vs. Linfield and heard McM-UMHB.  Every scoring drive for UMHB was started in the McMurry end.  You just cannot shorten the field that much for UMHB.

UMHB Drives:

5-15 yds TD
8-32 yds FG
5-16 yds TD
5-35 yds TD
6-48 yds TD
2-19 yds TD

I see really vulnerabilities for UMHB.  Had McMurry's offense given their defense a decent chance, the game would have been much closer.  UMHB was making uncharacteristically "unwise" penalties (14 for 133 yds).  The UMHB QB stayed within himself (kinda like Troy Aikman) and did not lose the game.

However, I can see on what weaknesses CNU and Wesley were able to capitalize.

Both teams will be ready for this one, so I won't think that the score will necessarily reflect the closeness of the each program's quality.

I see HSU in a good position to regain sole possession of the ASC throne room, unlike any time since 2002.  This should be a good game.

[Bill McCabe]

Ralph, I think it was the UMHB defense that didn't give the McM offense a chance.  In the 4 years I've followed the Cru, this has usually been the case.

[minni]

this is a game that has always had one team show up and the other team send in the JV squad.  I truely hope we can see both teams finally bring their A+ games and see who the better team really is.

Whoever has this knowledge -

UMHB Loses and ends up 8-2 with 2 in-region losses, do they make the playoffs???  I realize this is just speculation, but im just curious on the different opinions from the professionals.

[Bill McCabe]

minni, I think if UMHB loses this game they are in real trouble for the playoffs.  The Whitewater game is also in-region.