FB: American Southwest Conference

Sader4life · November 25, 2008, 07:37:58 AM

Should be a great game Saturday, I know for a fact that the Mary Hardin-Baylor guys are mad that they are not getting any respect, credit or recognition. D3football.com picked them to lose to Hardin-Simmons and yet they survived and advanced. They understand that people have commented how "they have too many injuries to go deep in the playoffs" or "they are a pale shadow of their former glory" and they are on a mission- they want to prove a point. UMHB plays their best football when no-one gives them a chance. Have a safe journey to Belton Wesley College, and understimate UMHB at your own peril.

CruAlum39 · November 25, 2008, 08:56:17 AM

Wesleydad,

UMHB can cover the pass, however their strength is stopping the run. This is what the UMHB defense prides itself on. They had trouble, especially in the first half of containing Feaster. However, in the second half, the CRU did a much better job and sacked him 3 times. These were crucial in holding a very good HSU offense scoreless for almost two full quarters (end on the 2nd quarter to early 4th quarter). I think UMHB will be able to get pressure on the Wesley quarterback, and it will be up to his ability to scramble and find open receivers to move the ball.

How well is Wesley able to move the ball on the ground? I think that this will be a big key to their ability to win on Saturday. I have know doubt they can move it through the air, but you can't pass every down. An old coach once said, "There's three things that can happen when you throw the ball... and two of them are bad."

I wish I was able to make it Saturday, but I have a previous engagement I must honor. Make no mistake, I will be listening to the radio broadcast. I might even jump and hoop and holler at the most inoppurtune time. Could be a funny commercial in the making!!!

ATownStomp · November 25, 2008, 11:00:06 AM

CruAlum, you made some valid points and Wesley willd definitely have to run the ball better than it did against Muhlenberg. However, I think that the quarterback's specialty is scrambling and and finding open receivers and that may play into Wesley's hands. The QB can make big plays with his improvisational skills and they can lead to negative plays i.e. big sacks but either way should be interesting...

The real matchup is the Wesley interior Defense versus the UMHB Orun offense. Thats a battle of goliaths and something is going to have to give one way or the other.

@d3jason · November 25, 2008, 11:02:35 AM

Quote from: Sader4life on November 25, 2008, 07:37:58 AM
Should be a great game Saturday, I know for a fact that the Mary Hardin-Baylor guys are mad that they are not getting any respect, credit or recognition. D3football.com picked them to lose to Hardin-Simmons and yet they survived and advanced. They understand that people have commented how "they have too many injuries to go deep in the playoffs" or "they are a pale shadow of their former glory" and they are on a mission- they want to prove a point. UMHB plays their best football when no-one gives them a chance. Have a safe journey to Belton Wesley College, and understimate UMHB at your own peril.

No one in Dover is underestimating the Cru.

I think most of the picks in triple take, were more on account of respect for both teams and the roll that HSU had been on and coming into the game with a week of rest. The Cowboys were due to get the UMHB monkey off their back and they almost pulled it off. The game was basically a pick em and I think that they mentioned that.

At any rate, anyone who follows the national scene respects UMHB. You have to credit the coaching staff and players for stepping up after losing so many starters to graduation and injuries this year. It just shows the strength and especially the depth of their program.

Teamski · November 25, 2008, 11:32:56 AM

I agree, there is no way that Wesley is looking past this game. With the loss to MHB last year, I'm Coach Drass is making sure that this team is solely focused on the task at hand. You don't go to Belton with any light feelings. As Conrad mentioned, it will be a clash of goliaths and a true battle of determination.

-Ski

Bill McCabe · November 25, 2008, 12:30:59 PM

UMHB has a good pass rush that leads to some bad throws. They were able sack Feaster 3 times and get one INT. If they can't rush the QB, they are in for a long afternoon.

UMHB's kicking game is awesome and was the difference last week. They need to have great special teams play this week.

Teamski · November 25, 2008, 12:57:02 PM

Quote from: Bill McCabe on November 25, 2008, 12:30:59 PM
UMHB has a good pass rush that leads to some bad throws. They were able sack Feaster 3 times and get one INT. If they can't rush the QB, they are in for a long afternoon.

UMHB's kicking game is awesome and was the difference last week. They need to have great special teams play this week.

It will be interesting to see if they squib-kick the ball to keep it away from Beavers. Every team that has done that has given up some really good field position in the process.

McSweeny will have to be on top of his game with the rush expected from UMHB. He was sacked twice by the Mules, but was able to scramble for key first downs when needed. He is pretty mobile. Luckily, he is an accurate shot as well.

-Ski

Bill McCabe · November 25, 2008, 01:15:46 PM

UMHB might try to kick between the hash and the sidelines and pin the returner in. The coverage team is very fast, but they will have to be on their toes. Hopefully, they will get to kick off many times!!

UMHB's return team is also very good. All in all, the kicking game is very solid.

Teamski · November 25, 2008, 01:43:57 PM

Quote from: Bill McCabe on November 25, 2008, 01:15:46 PM
UMHB might try to kick between the hash and the sidelines and pin the returner in. The coverage team is very fast, but they will have to be on their toes. Hopefully, they will get to kick off many times!! UMHB's return team is also very good. All in all, the kicking game is very solid.

One thing that Beavers loves is over-pursuing coverage, so their quickness needs to be matched by lane coverage.

-Ski

Pat Coleman · November 25, 2008, 01:50:01 PM

Quote from: Sader4life on November 25, 2008, 07:37:58 AM
Should be a great game Saturday, I know for a fact that the Mary Hardin-Baylor guys are mad that they are not getting any respect, credit or recognition. D3football.com picked them to lose to Hardin-Simmons and yet they survived and advanced.

Yep, a unanimous decision by a field goal or less which clearly showed the respect we have for BOTH HSU and UMHB.

If they need to play that card to beat HSU then they are going to have bigger problems further along in the bracket. For now, I think 237 programs would take a No. 5 ranking as respect. Not Mount Union and apparently not UMHB.

Bill McCabe · November 25, 2008, 02:11:37 PM

Teamski, here are some comparative stats for UMHB and Wesley.

KO Return Avg: UMHB 22.5 Wesley 25.9
Opp KO Ret Avg: UMHB 15.1 Wesley 15.2

Punt Return Avg: UMHB 12.5 Wesley 18.6
Opp Punt Ret Avg: UMHB 5.5 Wesley -0.5

Punt Avg: UMHB 38.5 Wesley 37.7
Net Punt: UMHB 36.9 Wesley 35.5

Fumbles Lost: UMHB 11 Wesley 13
Sacks: UMHB 23 Wesley 21
INTs by: UMHB 13 Wesley 10

umhb2001 · November 25, 2008, 02:22:59 PM

As I stated in a previous post, our pass D picked up the pace in the second half, but we will have to preasure the wide receivers more. Bracket Beavers or something, but definately don't let him beat you.

The linebackers made a change in the second, containing Feaster to shorter runs, but they will have to be on a swivel to make up for some big first down runs Feaster had. We will also need to shore up the center of the field on those underneath routes.

I think this game will be very close, as there is much respect and history between these teams. I firmly believe our D will step it up and play better. Being our second rivalry game in row, the guys will be up for it and will play their hearts out.

Teamski · November 25, 2008, 03:02:27 PM

Quote from: Bill McCabe on November 25, 2008, 02:11:37 PM
Teamski, here are some comparative stats for UMHB and Wesley.

Sacks: UMHB 23 Wesley 6

Definately an issue that Wesley needs to address. Wesleydad has been harping all season about the pass rush or the lack, thereof.

-Ski

Teamski · November 25, 2008, 03:08:34 PM

Quote from: Teamski on November 25, 2008, 03:02:27 PM
Quote from: Bill McCabe on November 25, 2008, 02:11:37 PM
Teamski, here are some comparative stats for UMHB and Wesley.

Sacks: UMHB 23 Wesley 6

Definately an issue that Wesley needs to address. Wesleydad has been harping all season about the pass rush or the lack, thereof.

-Ski

Actually, your numbers are wrong. I looked at the stats and I am counting 18 for the regular season and 3 at Muhlenberg. I won't say that our pass rush is that good, but obviously, it's better than just 6 sacks for the season.

-Ski

crufootball · November 25, 2008, 03:59:47 PM

No matter the result of Saturday game, my hat is off to Coach Pete and the rest of the staff for a great run that only two teams in the nation can brag about.

From the Temple Daily Telegram

"After becoming the only NCAA Division III team to win a first-round playoff game each of the last five years, Mary Hardin-Baylor's road doesn't get any easier. "

"Mount Union is the only other D-III team to play in the second round each of the last five seasons, but the Purple Raiders received a first-round bye in '04 - the final year in which each region's top seed was given a bye"