FB: American Southwest Conference

[Toby Taff]

There are only 8 teams left and anything can happen in these games.  Hopefully, the Cru will put together a great game next week.

I'll be happy if they play the same game minus the turn overs.  The only gave up 278 yards and 99 of those came on W&J's final drive with UMHB playing prevent (which as the old saying goes only prevents you from winning ).  If UMHB gives up under 300 yds and doesn't give 14pts on turnovers I think UMHB wins.  If UMHB donates points to Wesley it's the end of the playoff run.

[Toby Taff]

Mike Sirianni on yesterday's game as quoted in the temple daily telegram...

"Their front seven is so fast that it took us out of a lot of things that we do. . . . Their guys were running inside toward the play fake, then were fast enough to get back out underneath in the flat. I'm thinking, 'What the hell am I going to do now?'"

Article
http://www.temple-telegram.com/story/2006/11/26/36339/

[Bill McCabe]

The offense must convert more 3rd and shorts.  I felt like there were several times in the game when a key first down would have been deflating to W&J.  The past 2 weeks the outside running game has been very effective.  I think we could have gone to that more on short yardage.  But, a win is a win and now it is on to Dover.

[Bill McCabe]

Roocru,  we enjoyed sitting with you at the game.  Good luck to CruAlum39.  What an exciting time.

[Kelly Boggs]

Bill,

I agree. The CRU had W&J down and could have put them away on several occasions, but they seemed to go flat. They did not seem to have a killer instinct yesterday. The fans were a bit flat as well. The crowd was nowhere close to being as intense and loud as they were during the Whitewater game.

I know it sounds trite and cliched, but the game did not seem as close as the scored indicated. The CRU kept the Presidents offense in check. As has already been mentioned, the CRU seemed content with letting W&J have 5 to 10 yards a play on their last drive and letting the clock wind down. As a fan it is frustrating, because you want to see the CRU stuffing the "O" and pressuring the QB. I think Coach Fred understands that stats might be fun to discuss, but the "W" is what keeps you playing the next week.

Credit is due to the Presidents, they never did fold their tent. They fought until the very end.

And while this year is still underway, I couldn't help perusing the roster yesterday and I notice that UMHB will return 10 starters on offense and 7 on defense. No matter how this season ends, I am already looking forward to next year.

I expect the CRU to be ready to go against Wesley. The taste from last year's playoff loss lingers.

[Kelly Boggs]

Here are links to reports from the Washington (Pa.) Observer-Reporter

Too fast, too furious
http://www.observer-reporter.com/main.asp?SectionID=7&SubSectionID=21&ArticleID=33765

Presidents have no defense for Crusaders' fleet feet
http://www.observer-reporter.com/main.asp?SectionID=7&SubSectionID=21&ArticleID=33760&TM=30261.67

[Bill McCabe]

I agree.  I think the Cru is loaded for next year.  Wouldn't it be sweet if they were coming back to defend a championship!   

[Toby Taff]

If I count right, the Cru used 47 people yesterday.  Nice depth and experience.

[Bill McCabe]

I understand there are some talented freshmen that have not played much on the varsity.  Hope that is right.  Winning is contagious and players want to go to schools were they have a chance to win.

[Toby Taff]

now here is a compliment from a Mount Union guy...

"They played good on offense but I was so impressed with the speed they had on defense," Sirianni said. "I need to take some tape to our admissions staff and show them those seven defensive guys."

[Bill McCabe]

I didn't know the admissions office kept records on speed for potential student/athletes. 

[Bill McCabe]

Does that mean speed is a mitigating factor for admission?  Was that the case at Mount?   

[Ralph Turner]

I didn't know the admissions office kept records on speed for potential student/athletes. 

C'mon Bill, isn't keeping track of times in the 40 yd dash de rigeur at Rice or the Big XII?

Of course getting them to enroll is another matter.

[Bill McCabe]

Ralph, if 40 times were a prereq at Rice, we wouldn't be going to our first bowl game in 46 years!  HOW BOUT THEM OWLS!!!

[Bill McCabe]

Weather forecast for Saturday in Dover:

Saturday
Dec 02 Clear
Hi: 47° Lo: 36°
Sunny skies. High 47F and low 36F.
15%