FB: American Southwest Conference

[Barber Greene]

I thought you guys brought an enthusiastic crowd to town in October...I already have my Stagg Bowl ticket (I am from Virginia and will be visiting family) and will be sitting with you and pulling for you to dethrone the Mount should you beat UWW

[Barber Greene]

Hey guys, I posted the following on the WIAC board. Show me the mistakes in my thinking  (I mean this in a friendly way, hence the smiley face)

Some reflections on the upcoming MHB game:

1. Turnovers in the last game killed MHB early on, particularly interceptions. The MHB QB didn't appear to have a very strong arm and floated several passes that were subsequently intercepted.
2. The MHB running attack had some success in the first half with the option but the Hawks figured it out and controlled the MHB running game in the second half.
3. MHB has a quick defense that controlled Beaver and limited his yardage.

It appears the field this week will be clear but probably muddy and/or frozen. Wind at the Perk at this time of year is usually pretty strong and constant.

So, I would expect the Crusaders to stick to the run more than they did the first game. However, the
Warhawks controlled their running game in the second half of the first game. And they can focus on stopping the run since the MHB passing game didn't pose a significant threat in the first game.

Can the quickness of the Crusader defense stop Beaver on a sloppy field? I don't think so. I think the sloppy field neutralizes the Crusader speed. The Hawks have played on a sloppy field throughout the playoffs and the o-line should be able to open more holes for Beaver than he got in the first game.

Probably the biggest factor in favor of the Hawks in this game is the passing game. The Hawks have an efficient and effective one and MHB not so much.

Prediction: UWW 31, MHB 21

Here are the stats from the first game: http://www.uwwsports.com/sports/football/2007/uwwmhb07.htm#GAME.NEW

Going back over the stats I would disagree about the UMHB run getting shut down in the second half.  The stats seem to suggest, and I did watch game one so I already thought this, UMHB was out of character.  They were throwing the ball tons because they got too far down.  They managed to run pretty effectively in the second half.  i'll take 3-4 yds a carry, but it doesn't work when your down big.

I'm not at all going to compare NCW to UWW, but to say that we can't run on a sloppy, cold field is not correct.  I'm pretty sure we ran well against NCW even though our field is turf, and our coaching staff preped the guys well to play against Union in 04, another cold, sloppy day.  We killed our selves that game.  If we don't turn the ball over, we have a geat chance to win.  This team is entirely different than the team that got beat earlier in the year.  I expect a close, hard nosed battle. 

27-24 UMHB

This game is going to be a mudder (assuming the field is not frozen)....the o-line that gets the best push is going to be a big factor in winning the game...I don't expect a lot of passing from UMHB this time so interceptions shouldn't be an issue...probably more a game of field position

[Barber Greene]

Congrats to the Crusaders, great win for the program today. I have no doubt that next weeks meeting against UWW will be way different than the first.

Just a glance at the 10 day forecast and it says High of 40 low of 28 with 10% chance of precip. I know that's a long ways away but if it holds true, i doubt the weather will effect the Crusaders. We all remember the MUC game in 2004, cold and snowing. The Cru plays well in the snow, so bring it on.

Looking forward to seeing the Cru play UWW again. Wisconsin/Chicago was a nice trip earlier in the season for me and the wife. Hope this one will be even better. I'm definately going to pack the warm clothes. Thank you Wal-Mart for the Freezer gear.

To touch on WesleyDad's comment. Fumbles....Shumbles, it's all part of the game. No matter who's fault it was, we still won the game. EXCUSES!!!!

Current forecast...breezy with a high of 30...not bad at all considering it is December in Wisconsin

http://www.nbc15.com/weather
http://wkow.madison.com/Weather/index.php

[Rick Akins]

One last comment about Wesley before I move on to UWW.  UMHB was the better team on Saturday--not in 2005 or 2006--I will give Wesley their due--they absolutely beat us clearly both years. They are a great team but UMHB deserved the win. It was not turnovers, it was not a penalty, UMHB WON the game. As far as the teams being close in the total yardage, 85 or so of Wesley's yards were on a late drive from the Wesley 5 to the UMHB 11 where we were draining the clock in prevent mode. The yardage game was played by some of us UMHB folks at UWW in October, but we all really know the scoreboard is what counts.

I expect a much more competitive game score wise this time in Wisconsin.  I know UMHB will obviously be the clear underdog, and I am not much for braggadocious (?) prognosticating, but I will go out on a limb and predict it will not be 58-6 UWW (2005 semi) or 44-6 UWW (2006 semi). 

[Bill McCabe]

I hope UMHB will stay with the run this weekend and let the defense get them the ball in good field position.  Early in the game we were able to move the ball on the ground, but INTs killed us.  Turnovers will, as usual, determine the winner.

[dallas]

Congrats to the Crusaders, great win for the program today. I have no doubt that next weeks meeting against UWW will be way different than the first.

Just a glance at the 10 day forecast and it says High of 40 low of 28 with 10% chance of precip. I know that's a long ways away but if it holds true, i doubt the weather will effect the Crusaders. We all remember the MUC game in 2004, cold and snowing. The Cru plays well in the snow, so bring it on.

Looking forward to seeing the Cru play UWW again. Wisconsin/Chicago was a nice trip earlier in the season for me and the wife. Hope this one will be even better. I'm definately going to pack the warm clothes. Thank you Wal-Mart for the Freezer gear.

To touch on WesleyDad's comment. Fumbles....Shumbles, it's all part of the game. No matter who's fault it was, we still won the game. EXCUSES!!!!

Current forecast...breezy with a high of 30...not bad at all considering it is December in Wisconsin

http://www.nbc15.com/weather
http://wkow.madison.com/Weather/index.php

Looking forward to the matchup this weekend.  I have the utmost respect for the MHB players and fans, and I know this game will be much closer than the previous matchup. 

Can someone please explain the weather comments to me?  I've seen it mentioned several times.  How can one assume MHB will play well in the cold/snow this year with a totally different team just because they did it back in 2004?  (For the record, based on the current forcast, I do not think weather will be a factor this weekend.)   

[Toby Taff]

Congrats to the Crusaders, great win for the program today. I have no doubt that next weeks meeting against UWW will be way different than the first.

Just a glance at the 10 day forecast and it says High of 40 low of 28 with 10% chance of precip. I know that's a long ways away but if it holds true, i doubt the weather will effect the Crusaders. We all remember the MUC game in 2004, cold and snowing. The Cru plays well in the snow, so bring it on.

Looking forward to seeing the Cru play UWW again. Wisconsin/Chicago was a nice trip earlier in the season for me and the wife. Hope this one will be even better. I'm definately going to pack the warm clothes. Thank you Wal-Mart for the Freezer gear.

To touch on WesleyDad's comment. Fumbles....Shumbles, it's all part of the game. No matter who's fault it was, we still won the game. EXCUSES!!!!

Current forecast...breezy with a high of 30...not bad at all considering it is December in Wisconsin

http://www.nbc15.com/weather
http://wkow.madison.com/Weather/index.php

Looking forward to the matchup this weekend.  I have the utmost respect for the MHB players and fans, and I know this game will be much closer than the previous matchup. 

Can someone please explain the weather comments to me?  I've seen it mentioned several times.  How can one assume MHB will play well in the cold/snow this year with a totally different team just because they did it back in 2004?  (For the record, based on the current forcast, I do not think weather will be a factor this weekend.)   

I don't get it either.  the NCWC game was brutal.  It was in the 30's, raining, and the wind was blowing out of the north.  The field turf was obviously slick, but UMHB did ok in those miserable conditions.  AS far as a completely different team, there are still players on this team from the 2004 team, the QB for 1.

[Bill McCabe]

dallas, perhaps it is genetic!!!    Or tradition.  

[dallas]

dallas, perhaps it is genetic!!!    Or tradition.  

That was a good one....if I could give karma, I would send some your way!     

Everyone have safe travels up to Wisconsin, and spend some time tailgating with the locals.  They should treat you well.  I'll be sitting in my living room in Dallas watching on the internet!  Go Hawks...should be a classic!

[Toby Taff]

+1 to Bill for Dallas

[dallas]

+1 to Bill for Dallas

There you go!

[kubiack78]

Congrats to the Crusaders, great win for the program today. I have no doubt that next weeks meeting against UWW will be way different than the first.

Just a glance at the 10 day forecast and it says High of 40 low of 28 with 10% chance of precip. I know that's a long ways away but if it holds true, i doubt the weather will effect the Crusaders. We all remember the MUC game in 2004, cold and snowing. The Cru plays well in the snow, so bring it on.

Looking forward to seeing the Cru play UWW again. Wisconsin/Chicago was a nice trip earlier in the season for me and the wife. Hope this one will be even better. I'm definately going to pack the warm clothes. Thank you Wal-Mart for the Freezer gear.

To touch on WesleyDad's comment. Fumbles....Shumbles, it's all part of the game. No matter who's fault it was, we still won the game. EXCUSES!!!!

Current forecast...breezy with a high of 30...not bad at all considering it is December in Wisconsin

http://www.nbc15.com/weather
http://wkow.madison.com/Weather/index.php

Looking forward to the matchup this weekend.  I have the utmost respect for the MHB players and fans, and I know this game will be much closer than the previous matchup. 

Can someone please explain the weather comments to me?  I've seen it mentioned several times.  How can one assume MHB will play well in the cold/snow this year with a totally different team just because they did it back in 2004?  (For the record, based on the current forcast, I do not think weather will be a factor this weekend.)   

I don't get it either.  the NCWC game was brutal.  It was in the 30's, raining, and the wind was blowing out of the north.  The field turf was obviously slick, but UMHB did ok in those miserable conditions.  AS far as a completely different team, there are still players on this team from the 2004 team, the QB for 1.

It's the "shoes"  just ask Wesley

[yessir]

I've seen several post mentioning the "Shoes", whats the deal with that.

As far as comparing how the 2004 team played in the cold, and how the 2006 team will play in the cold is simple to me. UMHB still prepares for games in the same manner that they did in 2004. UMHB don't only play smashmouth football on saturday, UMHB plays smashmouth football everyday of the week except Sunday (depends on how we played on Saturday, Coach B can be moody sometimes) and Monday. UMHB willl show up to the game with sleeves, gloves, and jackets just like in the MU game in 2004. Unlike how NCW showed up to Belton 2 weeks ago. The preparation for the games are what will make them ready for the weather. Atleast that's how I see it.......

[kubiack78]

I've seen several post mentioning the "Shoes", whats the deal with that.

As far as comparing how the 2004 team played in the cold, and how the 2006 team will play in the cold is simple to me. UMHB still prepares for games in the same manner that they did in 2004. UMHB don't only play smashmouth football on saturday, UMHB plays smashmouth football everyday of the week except Sunday (depends on how we played on Saturday, Coach B can be moody sometimes) and Monday. UMHB willl show up to the game with sleeves, gloves, and jackets just like in the MU game in 2004. Unlike how NCW showed up to Belton 2 weeks ago. The preparation for the games are what will make them ready for the weather. Atleast that's how I see it.......

In 05 semis there was speculation that Wesley lost because they wore the wrong shoes:

some exerpts from "shoegate" 05:

Quote from: PA_wesleyfan on December 10, 2005, 06:28:53 pm
Coach Drass never once said that the shoes cost them the game in Brockport. And I think that he will say they just didn't play well today. I would hate to think that WW would do something like that. But if they did then it really does sour this win for them and always leave that doubt in peoples minds..

I listened to the post-game press conference, and you are right, he said it had nothing to do with shoes. However, from comments of the WW players at the press conference, they were saying they were happy to see Wesley come out in cleats because they knew they would be in trouble considering the turf conditions, they were actually joking about it. I Warhawk website will probably have the comments up on their playoff page soon for all to listen to.  At least they did for the other playoff games. The WW players changed into turf shoes after pre-game warmups. Furthermore, these players were even commenting that the Wesley players were asking them if they really enjoyed playing in this kind of weather. From the sound of it, the Wesley players were more concerned with the weather than playing football. But, shoes aside, the results would not have changed by playing on a dry warm day.
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inferno4488
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Re: Atlantic Central Football Conference/Independents
« Reply #1036 on: December 10, 2005, 06:46:39 pm »    Reply with quote
For those of you who dont know Wesley is half way across the country from wisconsin, so for you to say that an equipment manager(which i dont even think they have) should be fired, to my understanding is the coach suggests to the other team what they should wear, now this may or may not have effected wesley, but the bottom line is it didnt really matter, wesley was in over there head against a great football team that will probably win next week, so congrats to you whitewater fans and best of luck to you
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Bwana
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Re: Atlantic Central Football Conference/Independents
« Reply #1037 on: December 10, 2005, 06:47:23 pm »    Reply with quote
Quote from: PA_wesleyfan on December 10, 2005, 06:28:53 pm
Coach Drass never once said that the shoes cost them the game in Brockport. And I think that he will say they just didn't play well today. I would hate to think that WW would do something like that. But if they did then it really does sour this win for them and always leave that doubt in peoples minds..

PA-Wesleyfan...never said the Coach said anything about shoes, but there were a fair number of post claiming that wearing the wrong shoes for a muddy field was the major  reason for Wesley's big loss to Brockport.

But again, unless teams are only allowed to take one pair of shoes, why would it matter if WW did that? Wouldn't Wesley go out and make their own assessment as to what shoes are needed?
   


As side note  cold in Wisconsin is a lot different than cold in TX or Delaware  ask the Wesley boys.

[yessir]

I agree with you about the cold being different in Wisconsin than in Texas. But as I stated above, i think the Crusaders will be prepared to play football, no matter what the weather. Coach Fredenberg and the Coaching staff will assure that. For the most part, they always have.