FB: American Southwest Conference

[crufootball]

As we all know Jerrell Freeman signed with the Titans. I found a tiny bit of information on his signing at http://www.kffl.com/player/19779/nfl. Says he signed for 2 years and got a signing bouns of $5,000. Jerrell started camp on Thursday which was actually his birthday, what a great way to spend you birthday.

[golden_dome]

Jackson Clarion Ledger story on Jake Allen.
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080504/COL0504/805040355/1177/SPORTS

[Toby Taff]

I found this fishing around on the titans web site.  I like the look.

http://www.titansonline.com/team/players/bio.php?PRKey=456

[CruAlum39]

The one thing that UMHB has always been able to do is replace players thought to be unreplaceable.  Now in no way am I saying that replacing Freeman is going to be easy or that it can be done, but we have been able to do it in the past. 

I think one of the reasons why is that the younger back-ups get so much playing time during the season due to the fact that UMHB does tend to get up on some teams very quick.  Sometimes this is to the point where the starters don't like it very much because they don't get to play as much as they want to.  (In no way am I saying this is a bad thing because it is a good problem to have) 

Practice cannot replace game experience and I think that is where UMHB succeeds over other teams, so when a starter does leave, the back-up has been groomed and is ready to step up.

Just my .02

[cowboyfan]

I don't think replacing players is the problem at say an HSU or UMHB. The problems from year to year at least at HSU seem to be getting the team to Gel and play as a unit. No doubt Freeman was a great player and as an HSU grad i'm glad we don't have to see him again. He is an incredible athelete. But I think at this level playing as a unit is a big deal. Mount didn't become the dynasty they are because they had one, two, three or even twenty great players, same is true for UMHB and HSU all programs have success when EVERYBODY plays together. Thats something to me that appears to be missing at HSU. When I was in school at HSU there seemed to be a more cohesive unit at HSU a few standouts but for the most part just a group of guys that wanted to see the others succeed. I hope we get back to that this year. I wish all the teams a great season and can't wait for things to get started. Just a few months away.

[CruAlum39]

Well said cowboyfan

[Knightstalker]

In the month of May the VFW distributes Buddy Poppies.  Please take time to give a dollar and take a poppy.  The proceeds of this go to aid the Disabled Vets

Mike Dougherty
Commander VFW Memorial Post 3776
Secaucus NJ


In Flander's Field
by John McCrae
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead.
Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie,
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw,
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us, who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.

[roocru]

UMHB has posted its' 2008 football schedule on the UMHB athletic website.

[Ralph Turner]

UMHB has posted its' 2008 football schedule on the UMHB athletic website.

Here

[Pat Coleman]

Two NAIA opponents -- that's unfortunate.

[crufootball]

Very unfortunate, especially since the Cru will have to travel all the way to Oregon to play one of those games.

[Ralph Turner]

Very unfortunate, especially since the Cru will have to travel all the way to Oregon to play one of those games.

We have heard that the WIAC would not re-up.

It's not that UMHB doesn't want to travel; they just cannot find opponents!

[drinkxs.com]

Ralph, how does scheduling NAIA teams help or hurt UMHB?

[Ralph Turner]

Ralph, how does scheduling NAIA teams help or hurt UMHB?

Hi drinkxs,

It doesn't help them at all.  In the non-conference, UMHB needs to get quality opponents that in-region, either the South (Evaluation) Region or the schools in Evaluation Region #4 (LA, AR, MO, IL, WI westward).

Anyone else (E.g., NAIA, D-II, D-I FBS D-I BCS) is not considered in the primary criteria by the Selection Committee.

[wildcat11]

Ralph, how does scheduling NAIA teams help or hurt UMHB?

Hi drinkxs,

It doesn't help them at all.  In the non-conference, UMHB needs to get quality opponents that in-region, either the South (Evaluation) Region or the schools in Evaluation Region #4 (LA, AR, MO, IL, WI westward).

Anyone else (E.g., NAIA, D-II, D-I FBS D-I BCS) is not considered in the primary criteria by the Selection Committee.

Drinkxs,

To add to what Ralph said....beating a NAIA doesn't help increase your playoff chances but losing to a NAIA school can/will hurt you in the eyes of the selection committee.  (see Whitworth's 2007 playoff snub (lost to Azusa hurt) and Linfield's 2001 snub (loss to Southern Oregon that year hurt bad)).