FB: American Southwest Conference

[umhb2001]

I agree.  Both CB's were banged up, also, and that played a part in that.  The Cru line is going to have to get pressure on Warrick.  That is something they  have struggled to do.  I know it won't be like playing Louisiana College, in which the Cru D scored like 3 times, but the Cru D will have to play BIG in order to win.

[Bill McCabe]

That's about the only bad play Barcek has done.  He is better this year than when he was switched to CB 2 years ago.  He has the speed to stay with the Wesley receivers and he can get the ball.  The key will be pressure up front.  Last week, they may have had 1 or 2 sacks, but they pressured the QB.  Turnovers did UMHB in last year.  They can't turn the ball over.

[Kelly Boggs]

If the CRU plays defense like it did against UWW and the offense moves the ball the way it has the past 4 games, I think the Purple CRUsh moves on to the semis.

Of course the operative word in the sentence above is "If." And, it has already been stated, turnovers must be avoided.

[Bill McCabe]

Bob.Gregg, that is true for any team.  Turnovers usually decide who wins the game.  If UMHB can get 3 turnovers, I think they win.  Last year against Wesley, turnovers killed the Cru.

[BVHawk]

Congrats on the big win UMHB.  Best of luck this week against Wesley!

[Llamaguy]

Bob.Gregg, that is true for any team.  Turnovers usually decide who wins the game.  If UMHB can get 3 turnovers, I think they win.  Last year against Wesley, turnovers killed the Cru.

Well based off stats this Wesley team is not the same as the one who burned you all last year. No double headed WR, Larry Beavers (ineligible), Marcus Lee (graduated). They have one speedy WR in Michael Clarke. He is 5'7", 160lbs with 15 of their 30 passing TDs. The second leading receiver is Jason Schatz, listed as a backup QB, but at 6'3", 230lbs, I would assume he is actually playing TE.

Warrick is the real deal but I question if they can stretch the field like they did last year. Cover Clarke and take your chances with the rest. I think the key for UMHB is to play a ball control run game as the best defense against Wesley is to keep Warrick and company standing on their sideline.

[dedragon]

Schatz is a wide out, Lanuoutte is the TE.  Good luck to all participants, we look forward to a great game against a great opponent.

[Llamaguy]

Schatz is a wide out, Lanuoutte is the TE.  Good luck to all participants, we look forward to a great game against a great opponent.

Thanks for the info dragon. That is one athletic dude to play wideout at that size. Heck when you guys put Robinson out their with him that has to be the biggest WR package in D3. If those two guys are blocking, no wonder the other recievers can find some space on screens, etc..

[dedragon]

Schatz is a wide out, Lanuoutte is the TE.  Good luck to all participants, we look forward to a great game against a great opponent.

Thanks for the info dragon. That is one athletic dude to play wideout at that size. Heck when you guys put Robinson out their with him that has to be the biggest WR package in D3. If those two guys are blocking, no wonder the other recievers can find some space on screens, etc..

I'm guessing that he has lost a couple of pounds running routes all season long, still he has good size that causes problems for smaller d-backs. 

[PA_wesleyfan]

If UMHB players do not hold on to the ball, they're going to lose.  End of story.

I do agree.  But their D is very good.  If they can cause some turnovers themselves, that will also make it a good game.  This is something they have not done a lot of.  I expect at least 2 turnovers recovered in a close UMHB win.  It looks as if both teams love to run the ball and pass rarely.  I believe that the team that does the best through the air will win.

umhb 2001
Warwick has thrown for over 10,000yrds . Wesley likes to throw the ball!!! and will take whatever the D gives them.  They run the ball very well and have 5 backs who can break a long run any time. Jackson and Koroma will run over tacklers to get yards.  That match up with UMHB's D will be interesting. As well as Wesley's D against UMHB's option. Wesley has played three teams that run the oprion and has done a fare job . 

[roocru]

UMHB will win if...

They finsih drives.
Don't make silly mistakes.
Pass for a fair amount of yardage and score 1 passing TD.

They will loose if...

They run the same play over and over and over...option play anyone?  Of course  that guy got in the backfield last week and caught the pitch, he new what was coming.  Run a different play.  More Play action!

Their 3rd and long D does not step up.  I don't have the statistics in front of me, but I would gues that the other team's first down percentage on 3rd down is over 70 percent.

Sorry, umhb2001, I could not let a couple of these statements hang out there.   

I don't have the statistics in front of me, but I would gues that the other team's first down percentage on 3rd down is over 70 percent.

I checked the stats and
1)  on 3rd and long (7+ yds) all opponents have converted 21% of the time
2)  on 3rd and medium (3-6 yds) all opponents have converted 40% of the time
3)  on 3rd and short (1-2 yds) all opponents have converted 60% of the time
4)  on all 3rd down situations the opponents have converted 29% of the time

They run the same play over and over and over...option play anyone?  Of course  that guy got in the backfield last week and caught the pitch, he new what was coming.  Run a different play.

This is the same statement I have heard for six years.  If the opponents really knew when it was coming they would have intercepted more than one pitch in the six years I have been watching them.   They are actually running the option play a lot less than they have in the past and haved added the toss sweep and a lot more drive or blast type runs than ever before.  Every team has a play they hang their hat on!!  When Green Bay was so successful, everyone knew their best play was the Green Bay sweep.  However they practiced it so much that they knew they could run it against everyone (even if they knew it was coming).   The play UMHB hangs their hat on is the option.   Would it be more exciting to the fans if they threw it more or had a more varied ground attack?  Yes.  Would they be as successful as staying with their philosophy of offense and defense?  They would have to almost have a record like Mount Union to be any better in the last four years.  I think we need to let the coaches who practice with the kids every day and watch all the game films do the strategy. 

Oh and by the way, it is always the QB's decision on whether or not to pitch the ball.  The UMHB QB's over the past few years have made the correct decisions enough times to trust them as well.

I must add this disclaimer in all honesty.  I coached football for 20 years as an assistant and a head coach.  It really gets old when a fan yells, "Run the other play, Coach" !!!   

[billybaroo]

Roocru as a 3rd year coach I couldn't agree more. Run the other play gets you everytime. I had been lucky enough to have some pretty good parents and fans that at least have enough respect to trash me behind my back. Thanks to everybody that helped me out with travel sites and ways to get to the game cause I will now be there. Never been up close with a bunch of yankees interesting to see how they take to me since I do have a pretty good accent. The only thing I have ever heard about Delaware was from Wayne Campbell in Wayne's World "Hi I'm in Delaware"

[Rick Akins]

LLamaguy:  I agree that Warrick is definitely the real  deal from what I saw last year in Belton.  As I previously stated, I don't think UMHB played a very inspired or even good game last year; however, his touch and accuracy was outstanding in  that game.  He of course torched us for I believe 4 long TD passes, but on at least a couple of them the coverage was not really that bad.  His passes were just perfect in every way 50 yards down the field.  While I hope for a different result this year, and believe we can certainly win,  Warrick and Wesley are a  challenge.  We need an inspired and  crisp effort to get it done.  ROOCRU:  I certainly respect your opinions on coaching strategy, and I agree that we need to "dance with who brung us" as Darrell Royal used to say, but I really think we will need an effective passing game to bring home the win.  I have confidence we can move the ball through the air  as well.   I am ready for Saturday!!

[Ralph Turner]

I want to thank the UMHB "fan" who shared with me the "wmv" file of McMurry's first TD vs UMHB.

It shows exactly what the McMurry radio broadcasters described, that Desmond Sanders caught the pass out in the left flat, rolled over the back of the defender, was judged by the nearby official not to have touched his knee to the ground.  Sanders got up and finished the 42-yd TD play.  There is enough there to debate in the absence of NFL Challenges.  (I did not see a 12th player on the field.  LOL      )

I went to the McM game sheet to see exactly how much the field position game impacted the McM-UMHB game.  I mentioned the long passes that McM was able to complete.

The second McM TD was an 85-yd play to Dusty Thornhill.  Late in the 4th quarter, QB Stephen Johnson threw to Dusty Thornhill again for a 70- yd gain to the UMHB 10.  This time, Josh Kubiak (well known for his speed) was able to run down Thornhill and UMHB held.  I am almost certain that Wesley's receiver corps is faster than Thornhill.  UMHB shut down McMurry's All-American sprinter/WR Bert Green.  IMHO, that is why Thornhill was able to break the 2 long ones.

McM vs UMHB.

As for the field position game that UMHB plays so well, UMHB started at the
McM 15, INT, scored a TD
McM 39, punt from deep in McM territory, scored a FG
McM 16, punt return, scored a TD
McM 35, INT, scored a TD
McM 48, Fumble Recovery, Scored a TD.
McM 19, Bad punt from deep in McM territory, scored a TD.

No sustained drives!  Actually UMHB did not need them to score 38 points.

I hope that UMHB wins.  It looks good for the conference, but this board has well discussed what needs to be done!

[PA_wesleyfan]

Roocru as a 3rd year coach I couldn't agree more. Run the other play gets you everytime. I had been lucky enough to have some pretty good parents and fans that at least have enough respect to trash me behind my back. Thanks to everybody that helped me out with travel sites and ways to get to the game cause I will now be there. Never been up close with a bunch of yankees interesting to see how they take to me since I do have a pretty good accent. The only thing I have ever heard about Delaware was from Wayne Campbell in Wayne's World "Hi I'm in Delaware"

Haha Billy!!!
Just don't get lost dude... And it may surprise you but there are a fair amount of
Southern twang there. :OF course some of the kids are from pa and nj and northern del lol