FB: American Southwest Conference

[Josh Bowerman]

And for the record, I was about ten yards from the UMHB player that "signaled for a fair catch" in the first game.  The player raised his hand above his head (presumably to shield his eyes from the sun) while fielding the ball.  Easy to see how the ref could interpret that action as a fair catch signal.

Bad example on your part.

[Ron Boerger]

Playoff round 2 poll is up ...

[Kelly Boggs]

Coaches argue calls all the time...

Read the post above... whether I am at the game or not is irrelevant.

Bad calls happen... players make mistakes... coaches make poor decisions... it is why the games are played.

If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we would all have a merry Christmas.

[Kelly Boggs]

Let me see... opening kickoff... catching the ball on the 5 yard line... a fair catch? Yeah, happens all the time. The ref should use some common sense in his "interpretation."

However, I think I get a clearer picture of things now...

[Josh Bowerman]

I didn't say I thought it was the right call.  I said I can see how he could have interpreted it as such.  Refs don't "apply common sense", they enforce the rules.  Which is what they failed to do today.

[Kelly Boggs]

But only on one call, right? 

[Josh Bowerman]

No, they made the same mistake against UMHB earlier in the game.  The difference, however, is that the non-penalty penalty call against the Crusaders did not come at a critical juncture of the game, and had no impact on the momentum or the ultimate outcome.

Just because they screw one call up also doesn't mean that they have to do it twice.

[Kelly Boggs]

Well, while I think HSU is a very good football team and a class program. I have the utmost respect for them. I am just glad that UMHB was "lucky" enough to beat them twice this year. Thank goodness for fluke plays and poor officiating.

[Josh Bowerman]

Whatever.  Sorry for "whining".  I guess Pete Fredenburg is the only one in this rivalry that's allowed to do that.

[Toby Taff]

Only 1800, I thought there were that many in the HSU side.

No, they made the same mistake against UMHB earlier in the game.  The difference, however, is that the non-penalty penalty call against the Crusaders did not come at a critical juncture of the game, and had no impact on the momentum or the ultimate outcome.

Just because they screw one call up also doesn't mean that they have to do it twice.

Granted on both points Josh, but the MHB call came on the heels of a 15 yd penalty giving HSU the ball near midfield.  Had MHB not made the pick it could have made a difference.

I thought overall the refs did a good job of letting both teams play.  Was there contact that could have been called, yes, on both sides.  Did that call make a huge difference?  At the least it deflated the balloon, but no more than the 65 yd td run by thrasher.  That silented the crowd for a few minutes.  True HSU had stopped MHB at that point, but where would HSu have fielded the punt? Probably inside the 10 or 15 and who knows what would have happened. . .

[Toby Taff]

BTW...

I wanted to give props to the HSU fans for staying in the game after the big score to start the first half.  That could have easily been the proverbial dagger, but the team and crowd both responded incredibly.

Also, as always, boo to the early leavers.  Stay and support your team til the end!  That's what being a fan is about isn't it!

[Kelly Boggs]

I will amend my previous comments... thank goodness for fluke plays, poor officiating, and effective lobbying - err whinning. I forgot, Coach Fred is the only coach that advocates for his team. After his performance today he needs to start selling Amway because it is clear that he can sell ice cubes to Eskimos.

"The call" did not help HSU. But to say"it" cost them the game is a bit melodramatic - IMO. Had HSU stepped up and stopped the CRU after "the call", we wouldn't be having this discussion. The "weak" UMHB offense got it done today.

This horse has been beat to death...

[Josh Bowerman]

Exactly my point, Toby--though HSU started its comeback AFTER the Thrasher run (the score was 24-7 at that point).  

I don't know if the Cowboys could have driven the length of the field and scored or not (and I'm not trying to intimate that, Catland), but given the momentum swing at that point in the game, there was no way the HSU defense was going to stop the Crusader offense again.  

Given there were about seven minutes left in a three point game, I sure would have liked to see the last drive of the game come down to the UMHB strength against the HSU strength, though.

[Toby Taff]

Given there were about seven minutes left in a three point game, I sure would have liked to see the last drive of the game come down to the UMHB strength against the HSU strength, though.

That certainly would have been a thrilling end to the game.

[Josh Bowerman]

The call "cost them the game..."

I'd like you to show me exactly where I said that.