FB: American Southwest Conference

[used2b]

Toby,
    I'd heard that the HSU offense had possibly found itself this season under Feaster.

[cowboyfan]

I think it will be a good game.  I'm interested in seeing ETBU for the first time, and HSU has seemed to play to their opponents level all year.  I'd like to see the HSU offense come out and play a full game like they played the last half of the 4th qtr against UMHB, as they have in the past, and I'd like to see the defense stop the run.

Toby,

i think your previous post is a very true statement. HSU hasn't played like they have in the past they seem to be doing just enough to win or keep it close. I'd also like to see the offense play a full game this weekend. I do think that HSU has found a rhythm of sorts with Feaster. The last few seasons especially last season the QB spot was a big question mark. I think they are playing much better as a unit this season. I'm interested to see the outcome this weekend. I think we are going to see two good teams battle it out. I've been really impressed with the improvement on Defense this season.

[Ron Boerger]

The recent comments on the QB situation @ ETBU ... let's face it, there just aren't many players left** who can perform at a high level in D3.  We are spoiled in Texas because we have a lot of small schools that produce QBs that can play, but even then if you look at most of the schools in the ASC and the SCAC you don't see a lot of 'gifted' QBs. 

• UMHB can get their pick of what they want because of their ongoing success.  And they don't want a QB that can pass for 350 yards/game, they want one that can execute Pete's offensive scheme.
• HSU is known for their high-powered passing offense and naturally draw  candidates from West Texas. 

But other than that?  ETBU hasn't had consistent success ... and they are recruiting against D2 and NAIA schools given their location.   So the pool they have to choose from, like most D3 schools, is relatively small.   Every so often a school will find someone who can overachieve (aka Sean Salinas at TLU a while back) but unless you are a consistent winner, the kids that can play QB are going to gravitate towards schools where they can be successful.  Hard to get a kid that can throw the ball like crazy if you can't show him that you have receivers who can run routes and catch balls, a line that can block, backs who can run the ball, ...

** - by the time D1, D2, NAIA get done

[hsusid]

[quote author=cowboyfan link=topic=3803.msg952218#msg952218
The last few seasons especially last season the QB spot was a big question mark. I think they are playing much better as a unit this season.
[/quote]
Ahem, last season the Cowboys averaged 41.6 points per game and 470.9 yards. I don't think quarterback was a big question mark last season after the first game. It took a game to get there but the right person played and he put up almost 3,000 yards passing in basically nine games. The year before that Jordan Neal was the quarterback and the year before that we played half of the year with the third quarterback (and was still a win away from the playoffs). I can't remember a time where quarterback has been a question mark at HSU - other than the three-way battle for the starting job last year.

[cowboyfan]

[quote author=cowboyfan link=topic=3803.msg952218#msg952218
The last few seasons especially last season the QB spot was a big question mark. I think they are playing much better as a unit this season.

Ahem, last season the Cowboys averaged 41.6 points per game and 470.9 yards. I don't think quarterback was a big question mark last season after the first game. It took a game to get there but the right person played and he put up almost 3,000 yards passing in basically nine games. The year before that Jordan Neal was the quarterback and the year before that we played half of the year with the third quarterback (and was still a win away from the playoffs). I can't remember a time where quarterback has been a question mark at HSU - other than the three-way battle for the starting job last year.

i stand corrected. You are correct. I was referring to last year being a toss up with Jordy getting hurt and the scramble for a starter after that first game. Guess i should revise my post to say that the Defense was not as consistent in years past and the offense never really got a rhythm going (maybe because of the scramble for a qb). In any event i'm glad to see HSU playing so well this year and i'm hoping for a more successful season for the guys this year. I'm excited to see what appears to be a very good ETBU team this weekend.



[/quote]

[Ralph Turner]

The recent comments on the QB situation @ ETBU ... let's face it, there just aren't many players left** who can perform at a high level in D3.  We are spoiled in Texas because we have a lot of small schools that produce QBs that can play, but even then if you look at most of the schools in the ASC and the SCAC you don't see a lot of 'gifted' QBs. 

• UMHB can get their pick of what they want because of their ongoing success.  And they don't want a QB that can pass for 350 yards/game, they want one that can execute Pete's offensive scheme.
• HSU is known for their high-powered passing offense and naturally draw  candidates from West Texas. 

But other than that?  ETBU hasn't had consistent success ... and they are recruiting against D2 and NAIA schools given their location.   So the pool they have to choose from, like most D3 schools, is relatively small.   Every so often a school will find someone who can overachieve (aka Sean Salinas at TLU a while back) but unless you are a consistent winner, the kids that can play QB are going to gravitate towards schools where they can be successful.  Hard to get a kid that can throw the ball like crazy if you can't show him that you have receivers who can run routes and catch balls, a line that can block, backs who can run the ball, ...

** - by the time D1, D2, NAIA get done

Excellent analysis, Ron

I have always likened TU's QB's to the Jason Garrett types...very very smart instinctive players who have a small amount of talent, and incredible work ethic and "Trinity" brains.  Trinity has been and will always find those guys.

They would rather play at D3, study as hard as they can at Trinity and move from there.  Since they know that the only way they'll make the NFL is to own a team, they commit to the Trinity D3 experience.  TU has as many of those players as anyone in D3, the NESCAC, the UAA and a handful of others possibly being "comparables". 

[dsc]

[quote author=cowboyfan link=topic=3803.msg952218#msg952218
The last few seasons especially last season the QB spot was a big question mark. I think they are playing much better as a unit this season.

Ahem, last season the Cowboys averaged 41.6 points per game and 470.9 yards. I don't think quarterback was a big question mark last season after the first game. It took a game to get there but the right person played and he put up almost 3,000 yards passing in basically nine games. The year before that Jordan Neal was the quarterback and the year before that we played half of the year with the third quarterback (and was still a win away from the playoffs). I can't remember a time where quarterback has been a question mark at HSU - other than the three-way battle for the starting job last year.


[/quote]


hsusid,

Do we (HSU) have any quality quarterbacks as a backup to Feaster?  I cannot recall anyone else playing besides Feaster...maybe recently, but in the beginning I noted that ONLY Feaster was playing.

Thanks,
Go Cowboys!

[Bill McCabe]

I agree, QB play and the offense at HSU has not been a problem, except the year the QBs were injured.  I always thought Jordan Neal actually made them even better.  The problem was the defense.  They just didn't seem to have the speed.  This year they might have corrected that.

[Josh Bowerman]

HSU played really, really well today.  ETBU has some athletes, too, but HSU played like the HSU of old today, and it was great to see.  IMO, the game was not really even as close as the 40-12 final score.

[CUAfan]

Mary Hardin-Baylor 29, Louisiana College 13
East Texas Baptist 25, Hardin-Simmons 24
Sul Ross State 28, Texas Lutheran 19
Howard Payne 24, McMurry 13
all in 26 total possessions

And comparing to the actual results....

Mary Hardin-Baylor 35, Louisiana College 10 in 26 possessions (off 9 points overall)
Hardin-Simmons 40, East Texas Baptist 12 in 26 possessions (off 29 points overall...yeah, the prediction wasn't even close)
Texas Lutheran 24, Sul Ross State 14 in 24 possessions (off 19 points and 2 possessions)
Howard Payne 45, McMurry 33 in 29 possessions (off 41 points and 3 possessions...again, not even close)

Oh well, my method was way off this week. Maybe I'll actually get one right eventually. Here's my new ASC ranking for your perusal.

1. Mary Hardin-Baylor, .360
2. Hardin-Simmons, .112
3. East Texas Baptist, .027
4. Sul Ross State, .018
5. Howard Payne, -.009
6. Mississippi College, -.047
7. Louisiana College, -.064
8. Texas Lutheran, -.142
9. McMurry, -.268

[etbualum]

total domination.  HSU was better in every phase of the game....that is really all i got.  Im going to be out of town and wanted to say that before I left.

Oh and used2 I may be ready for a new qb.

[Ron Boerger]

Congrats to this week's ASC players-of-the-week!

CO-OFFENSIVE

Justin Feaster, QB, Sr., Hardin-Simmons

Hardin-Simmons senior quarterback Justin Feaster (Glen Rose, TX / GRHS) threw four touchdowns and ran for another score to lead the nationally-ranked Cowboys in a 40-12 win over East Texas Baptist. Feaster, who takes the league's top offensive award for the second time this season, was 23 of 33 passing for 300 yards. He also became the first player in the ASC this season to account for five TDs in a game.

Tre Mason, WR, Fr., Howard Payne

Howard Payne freshman wide receiver Tre Mason (League City, TX / Clear Creek HS) had seven catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns to fuel a 45-33 road win over McMurry. Mason also became the first player in the ASC this season to make three TD grabs in a game.

DEFENSIVE

Demetrius Cody, LB, Fr., Howard Payne

Howard Payne freshman linebacker Demetrius Cody (Killeen, TX / Early County HS) had eight tackles, an interception, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two pass break-ups to guide a 45-33 road win over McMurry. Cody made 3.5 tackles that went for a loss of 21 yards.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Robert Wilson, DL, So., Louisiana College

Louisiana College sophomore Robert Wilson (Shreveport, LA / Southwood HS) blocked two field goals in a loss to nationally-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor – one of which set up the Wildcats' only touchdown. Wilson also made four tackles as a defensive lineman.

[baddog]

Congrats to all, but isn't Feaster a junior? That is how he is listed on the HSU website.

[Toby Taff]

I'm pretty sure Feaster is a Junior.

[used2b]

Whoa! I would've thought the HSU/ETBU game would have been closer. All I have been hearing out of etbu lately is how they were ready to make a positive impression and take the next step. It appears that Sartain cannot do what Harris couldn't either. Also, It appears the Tigers aren't close to where they were in 2003. It will be easy for those around etbu to have 2nd guesses about firing Harris a while back.
-Congrats to HSU. A big win to keep the boys in the picture for postseason play.
-Also, same ole', same ole' for etbu qb's.
Josh Bowerman, How bad was the etbu qb play?