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Messages - Toby Taff

#1
Quote from: CruFrenzy on December 13, 2023, 04:12:53 PM
Quote from: Etchglow on December 13, 2023, 03:02:33 PM
Quote from: CruFrenzy on December 09, 2023, 05:29:54 PM
Quote from: Etchglow on December 04, 2023, 01:02:56 PM
Since I'm bored, here is a spreadsheet with all of the kids who have said UMHB has offered them so far:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EBXnYmF_xOSzLTPsObwab9zldMuRlGNE9xIZCyEuVZo/edit?usp=sharing

Haven't seen any commits yet...

Thank you for putting this together!!

NP, updated it with the first two actual commits on a commit tab.  Transfer RB who started at OSU then went to Navarro College, comes in with 2 years of eligibility and a D2 transfer CB from Southwest Baptist. who also has 2 years of eligibility left.

Thanks! The running back can play, good looking player. A little different than some of the backs we've had in years past because he's not a scat back and he's not really our usual bigger power back, he's kind of in between. But I would expect to see him contributing, good pickup.

Speaking of the running backs room, I'm hearing through the grape vine that Ozias Wright is working on getting an additional year of eligibility. Was really impressed with him last season, so hoping he can get that secured.
I wouldn't be mad at it
#2
Quote from: zipmac22 on November 11, 2023, 03:44:46 PM
The Cru got off to a quick start, but soon fell into their regular rut. Being up 21 - 7 and getting an unsportsmanlike from the sideline! Is there that much lack of discipline that there are players doing whatever they want on the sideline? Where are the coaches or better yet where is Coach Harmon? Is he on the sideline or is he coaching from the press box?
Harmon was on the sideline and working the refs hard. On that call a HPU player put his hands on a coach. As we've seen the last 2 years the HPU players were mouthy and played dirty all game..Refs were pretty poor too. The pick 6 they called back was crazy. 28 was almost to the end zone when they blew the whistle because of a fight an HPU player started after the pick. They announced the offsetting penalties happened after the in.  (Int was at the 19) then placed the ball at the UMHB 30. No explanation for the placement. Took the td off the board. HPUs band was playing whole songs while plays were going. Refs never flagged them, even after warning them. Then there was a fight in the HPU stands... it was nuts
#3
Quote from: crufootball on November 06, 2023, 10:00:09 PM
We are a team that is having its worst season in over 2 decades, if we weren't struggling with low morale I would concerned that the players didn't care enough. I won't pretend its not concerning that players are quitting but when you bring in over 100+ freshmen a year on the promise that they could win a national championship and the team goes 6-4 (at best) things are going to be hard.

One thing I will point out though, when things are going badly it is easier to notice things like penalties and Coach Harmon even commented that he was embarrassed by them. However while this years average (65 yards) is higher than it has been since 2016, before that year 65 yards a game would have been the lowest season average since 1999. Pretty much every year from our start till 2016 we averaged in the low 70's in penalties. Obviously some very good things started happening in 2016, maybe discipline was emphasized more in that time frame but we can't say a new coach came in and cleaned things up.

Clearly there are issues that need to be resolved but I have feeling that if we were 9-0 this year and committing the same amount of penalties we might be concerned that it could hurt us come playoff time but I don't think many would be paying much attention to it.
The penalty yards are not my issue, it's the type and placement of the penalties. It's the personal fouls and unsportsmanlike on 3rd when you stopped them and suddenly they have a 1st when you should have the ball. It's committing the same false start penalty over and again when HSUs D line shifts. Those are sensless and have cost the team severely this seasaon.
#4
Quote from: UMHB03 on November 05, 2023, 12:19:44 PM
Quote from: umhbalum on November 04, 2023, 03:22:38 PM
The Cru QB for the future doesn't appear to be on our roster. I've got a lot of concerns about things moving forward, and discipline has been a huge question. What about recruiting?
Recruiting better be a big part of the strategy for getting things back on track, especially on offense. Harmon better hit the recruiting trail hard a week from today. High school, JUCO, portal.... whatever he needs to do. I don't think we have a single OL who needs to be starting next year, and most of the productive skill guys are seniors. I'm not ready to completely give up on Phe, but I'm not convinced he's he long term answer. The offense needs to complete overhaul, and that includes the staff. I think my grandmother could field a better offense than Padron has.

I also completely agree about discipline. Totally unacceptable all year. The fact that this is still an issue 9 games into the season raises serious questions as to whether Harmon is head coach material

Special teams is still a joke. I think they could go down to Belton Middle School and find better place kicking and punting. Absolute peewee league level.

On the bright side, the defense has made strides. We can win with the defense playing at this level. However, the other two phases of the game need a comprehensive reset from the coaches down to the players.
I like Phe and think he will be a very good QB, esp if he gets a good O-Line in front of him. My biggest concerns are 1) O Line 2) Special Teams, 3} overall team discipline.
While I agree that all reflect on the HC, I'm not on the fire Harmon bandwagon. I'm on the Bye Bye Andy bandwagon. He may be a great OC for somewhere that was built to play the way he calls a game, but his use of the talent pool he's had the last 2 years was poor.   He calls the offence like the Cru is playing with the player pool from the early 2000s, that was built to pound the rock relentlessly. That hasn't been UMHB football since the early 2010s
On the special team side of things, We havent had a punter that wasn't an all american at another field position since before Baylor Mullins. and with the exception of one year where Avila had an off season, we've had stellar place kicking. When we saw Bruner last year he was was OK . This year he has not been even OK. There has to be some smalltown kid to recruit that can kick the lights out.

About Coach Harmon, things I read after the HSU game lead me to think Harmon's expectation was that the culture he helped coach Fred build would continue. A culture that is supposed to be player led, and the leadership hasn't lived up to the expectation. He can rebuild that culture, but they're going to have to be very selective in choosing that core group.

I could be way off, but that's how I see it .
#5
Quote from: CowboyAlum261 on October 28, 2023, 08:55:30 PM
Mitchell and Michna combined for 24 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. This team is different with those 2 playing defense, and I wish we could re-play Endicott with those 2 healthy. And the HSU run game was effective enough to win the game. This game is exactly what we will need to see if HSU is going to advance in the playoffs.

I really don't think this Cru team is that different from some of the great sides from years past. It just feels like the mindset has changed. Those classic Cru teams would just line up and smother people. I think they still have the personnel to do that, the team just doesn't seem to have that philosophy anymore.

The future is uncertain for both of these schools. My sincere hope, is that no matter where we end up—D3, D2, NAIA, or something else—these schools are able to stay together. This is a great rivalry and I think the two schools are good for each other. Here's hoping this game keeps going for a long time.
I agree that the main issue with this squad is attitude. I'd compare it to entitled children that get whatever they want and are stunned when they don't get what they want because that ain't how the world works. These guys are uber talented but seem to expect they get to win because the letters say UMHB. With few exceptions I feel like i'm watching a team that doesn't have the grind it out grit I've come to expect. Maybe having a great QB and all world reciever made some folks think they were better than they were, but between the youth/immaturity and bad special teams play all season long this team was not the one.

I'm not sure what the answer is, but this is the second year in a row I haven't been impressed with our offensive scheme. we didn't maximize our talent last year and this year has been fairly pedestrian. The OLine has been spotty at best, and the defense has flashes of the greatness of old and then looks "slow" covering the edges and allows big gains in the rushing game. Someone needs to find an answer.

All that said, Congratulations to Alma mater #2. I hope you make the dissolving ASC proud in the playoffs, although I think If you play like you did today, Trinity runs away with it. Take the last 2 weeks and get tuned up. Oh, and don't forget that there is a next year, and a lot of the young guys that showed they had the talent to win today but lacked the discipline sat and soaked in the disappointment after the game. Maybe that'll light the fire that's missing this season.
#6
Quote from: Ralph Turner on October 23, 2023, 04:35:21 PM
Quote from: Ron Boerger on October 23, 2023, 01:08:46 PM
Quote from: umhb2001 on October 23, 2023, 01:04:24 PM
Rivalry week is upon us. Planning on making the trip to Abilene. Should be another fantastic installment in the ongoing rivalry between the top two teams.

As I see it, the key battles are this:

UMHB run D vs the stable of runners for the Cowboys.

Isaac Phe vs a talented HSU defense

Of course I'm taking my Cru by a TD to win. Good luck and good health to all.

If the HSU team that played two weeks ago and should have lost to TLU shows up, Cru by 20.
... or the  HSU team the beat McMurry in OT.

I am not sure how much improvement Coach Neal has accomplished at McM this season.

At the risk of jinxing it, McMurry could end up 6-4, a winning season for the 1st time since Coach Mumme!
I think Coach Neal is starting to benefit from the culture he has created. No question I've been a fan of his since I met him. He's a high character guy and brings in people of the same ilk as players and coaches. I think there's a very good possibility that McMurry could win out and I'm here for it.  As for Saturday, I don't know what to expect. This will be the first time since Whitewater Phe will be facing that kind of powerhouse defense (other than in practice) Hopefully the experience against UWW helps keep him calm cool and collected. I'm going to be there with my Kilt on pulling for the Cru.
#7
Quote from: Etchglow on September 25, 2023, 10:59:39 AM
Quote from: Ralph Turner on September 25, 2023, 12:38:37 AM
Please CRU fans.
Consider the opponent.
50-9 is a "gentle" outcome against McM.
The real tests are HSU & HPU.
If UMHB runs the table, then back to San Antonio for a 7-seed going on the road

Hey now, we've just come off of a historic losing streak, give us some joy in a win! :D
for UMHB it was a historic losing streak, but I was there when McMurry finally won a game after going almost 2 full seasons winless. The joy on that sideline dwarfed the happiness I had with UMHB winning Saturday
#8
Quote from: Ralph Turner on September 25, 2023, 12:38:37 AM
Please CRU fans.
Consider the opponent.
50-9 is a "gentle" outcome against McM.
The real tests are HSU & HPU.
If UMHB runs the table, then back to San Antonio for a 7-seed going on the road
Gotta go back to 2011 and the Hal Mumme era to find a UMHB score under 60 points vs McM, so yes consider the opponent. That said, coming out in the second half the Cru looked much more Cru like. Were using their speed better than what had been seen, Oline looked some better than they had. Ozias Wright looked like he was could be a great addition to the offense... shifty, quick and strong. I like Cormier, but our o-line right now can't get the push needed for him to bull through the line consistently. The WR mix was more extensive. Some guys spent a lot of time on the field that hadn't been there and made some inportant catches. I like the improvement I've seen and look forward to the next steps. We'll see just how big the steps are in a month.
#9
Quote from: jknezek on September 23, 2023, 07:47:35 AM
Quote from: Ron Boerger on September 23, 2023, 12:27:20 AM
Quote from: jknezek on September 22, 2023, 09:36:29 PM
4 turnovers and an inability to move the ball through the air at all according to the stats. yikes. Anyone know what the travel arrangements were?

QB1 injured very early, tried to play a few series but had no lower body support, QB 2 not ready for prime time, QB 3 not ready for any time.

Unfortunately injuries are part of the game. Endicott is a good team. Either a lot better than I expected or Hardin-Simmons is not as good as I thought. Probably both to be fair...
I'll have a chat with some HSU athletics staff Monday. I'll let y'all know what I here.
#11
Quote from: TromboneJB on April 11, 2023, 04:27:55 PM
burleson should give linfield a call.
that was suggested in a response tweet
#12
The potential if the ASC and SCAC can stay apart as conferences is more playoff teams in the south. If you have 3 pool A's and a couple of teams solid enough to get a pool c it might create something other than our current Texas sub-bracket
#13
Quote from: Etchglow on March 08, 2023, 01:30:05 PM
Quote from: Toby Taff on March 08, 2023, 12:52:37 PM
Quote from: True To The Cru/Riley Zayas on March 08, 2023, 12:01:16 PM
Quote from: Etchglow on March 08, 2023, 10:09:37 AM
Quote from: UMHB03 on March 08, 2023, 09:53:20 AM
Quote from: Toby Taff on March 08, 2023, 08:14:35 AM
Quote from: UMHB03 on March 06, 2023, 06:40:06 PM
Quote from: Etchglow on March 06, 2023, 01:48:26 PM
Oof, UMHB only gets 4 home games this season.
Are you sure about that? Unless we're playing someone on the road 2 years in a row, I see the following home games:

UW-Whitewater
HSU
TLU
ETBU
Howard Payne
We are on the road to HSU and Howard Payne again this year. Also HSU is late (10/28) and HPU is the final game of the regular season

Wow. Road games against HSU, HP, UWRF, and Trinity, plus a home game against UWW. That's an absurdly difficult schedule.

Hopefully we don't get the same referees at Howard Payne that we did last year :D :D :D.  If all those are true, then that leaves only 1 away game unknown and 3 home games.  Will probably need 1-2 more teams to release schedules before we can fill in the blanks.  Looks like 9/23 is the bye week.

My projection is that the schedule ends up with the following teams...
Home: UWW, McMurry, ETBU, TLU
Away: UWRF, Trinity, HSU, HPU, Austin, SRSU
Our group text had UWW (9/16), McM (9/30), SRSU (10/14), ETBU (11/4) as the home games. Source is reliable.

So that would make the schedule look something like:

9/02 - @ UW-River Falls
9/09 - @ Trinity
9/16 - UW-Whitewater
9/23 - Bye
9/30 - McMurry
10/7 - @ TLU
10/14 - Sul Ross
10/21 - @ Austin College
10/28 - @ Hardin-Simmons
11/04 - ETBU
11/11 - @ Howard Payne
that's what the text says
#14
Quote from: True To The Cru/Riley Zayas on March 08, 2023, 12:01:16 PM
Quote from: Etchglow on March 08, 2023, 10:09:37 AM
Quote from: UMHB03 on March 08, 2023, 09:53:20 AM
Quote from: Toby Taff on March 08, 2023, 08:14:35 AM
Quote from: UMHB03 on March 06, 2023, 06:40:06 PM
Quote from: Etchglow on March 06, 2023, 01:48:26 PM
Oof, UMHB only gets 4 home games this season.
Are you sure about that? Unless we're playing someone on the road 2 years in a row, I see the following home games:

UW-Whitewater
HSU
TLU
ETBU
Howard Payne
We are on the road to HSU and Howard Payne again this year. Also HSU is late (10/28) and HPU is the final game of the regular season

Wow. Road games against HSU, HP, UWRF, and Trinity, plus a home game against UWW. That's an absurdly difficult schedule.

Hopefully we don't get the same referees at Howard Payne that we did last year :D :D :D.  If all those are true, then that leaves only 1 away game unknown and 3 home games.  Will probably need 1-2 more teams to release schedules before we can fill in the blanks.  Looks like 9/23 is the bye week.

My projection is that the schedule ends up with the following teams...
Home: UWW, McMurry, ETBU, TLU
Away: UWRF, Trinity, HSU, HPU, Austin, SRSU
Our group text had UWW (9/16), McM (9/30), SRSU (10/14), ETBU (11/4) as the home games. Source is reliable.
#15
Quote from: UMHB03 on March 06, 2023, 06:40:06 PM
Quote from: Etchglow on March 06, 2023, 01:48:26 PM
Oof, UMHB only gets 4 home games this season.
Are you sure about that? Unless we're playing someone on the road 2 years in a row, I see the following home games:

UW-Whitewater
HSU
TLU
ETBU
Howard Payne
We are on the road to HSU and Howard Payne again this year. Also HSU is late (10/28) and HPU is the final game of the regular season