FB: American Southwest Conference

[Josh Bowerman]

Another classic post!  How much D3 and/or ASC have you seen, anyway?

[Weak Safety]

Maybe out in Alpine the second team players are not very good, I don't know.  But I do know that in Abilene, at HSU (a D3 school) the backup QB looked very sharp on Saturday, the backup running backs looked very good, and the backup receivers looked great as well.  Oh yeah, that's not to mention the reserve offensive line and the entire reserve defense.  I also seem to remember that in Belton last year at UMHB (a D3 School) the starting QB went down with an injury and their backup QB stepped right in and didn't miss a beat (hello Salem).  Happens in D3 every year.

[Pat Coleman]

"hello Salem" is a reference to making the Stagg Bowl, BarSRBar903.

Oh, and the Stagg Bowl is the Division III championship game.

Figured that since you have no concept that a backup quarterback can be just fine in D-III, you might not get those other subtle references.

[Toby Taff]

I have to say that HSU's back up played well on Saturday, and J Neal's comment to me about Bernhard was that Bernhard can not only do things well, he can do things J Neal can't.  

BarSRBar903,

I am an UMHB fan, and as much as I don't like to admit it, one thing you can count on from HSU is they are very deep!  Coach Keeling prepares his players well, and they get PT from the get go, and not just in mop up roles.  UMHB does the same thing.  I think at least these two schools more accurately have a three deep than a two deep roster.  SRSU and MCM may very well be much improved, and on any Saturday, anyone can win.  But don't count the chicken based on the idea that J Neal is the life in HSU.  Is he important? Yes! Anyone of the class and caliber a Jordan Neal is an asset that will be missed on the field, but people like Jordan seem to have the ability to inspire from the sideline as well.

I think of Major Applewhite at UT, and his pulling for the team ready to do whatever was necessary for the team.  Major sat on the sideline and watched a more physically talented Chris Simms and never let it become about Major vs Chris. (I thought Major should have been the starter)  Jordan is that kind of guy.  He's concerned about the team and his leadership will be felt, even if its from the sideline.

[JimmyD]

Nobody said that Sul Ross and McMurry are better than HSU or MHB.  I said that stats and scores show that there has been vast improvements on these two teams.  Wether people want to believe it or not SR or McM has the potential to knock of the top teams.  HSU lost there QB and had other injuries.  There offensive leader is gone and there is no way that a second string QB can be that good in D3.  Im not talking bad about HSU's new QB, but thats the truth.  Im not saying SR has the recruits that HSU or MHB has, but just don't count SR or McM out again this year.


Go LOBOS!

shut up; your statements are asinine and embarrassing to us.  and it's "their".
<sp>
SR does not take responsibility for him.

[ccowboyz1]

J Neal...we love you man.  Out thoughts and prayers will be with you in the morning and for a complete and speedy recovery.

Ditto to some of the previous posters.  Jordy Bernhard will be just fine.  He is a very intellegent player and will bring a little different look to the Cowboy 'O'.

Ron and Josh...thank you for the excellent coverage of the Abilene area D3 football last weekend and for the great photos.  I guess I'm going to have to get me some.

Go Cowboys!!  Get the Choctaws.

[Ralph Turner]

In the search for a more cosmic understading of the univerise, I note that a transient shift in the Abilene universe occurred yesterday.

The HSU volleyball team broke an 8-game losing streak to McMurry with a 5 set win.  HSU now has won 2 matches in the last 23.

With that observation, we shall look for the comparable shift when McMurry plays HSU in football later this fall.

[jmnaseum]

HSU and UMHB are probably deeper than two deep and that has a tremendous impact in DIII football. 

SRSU has two wins but against who?  SWAGU and the team that finished last in the conference last year.  Better get ready for the Brownwood trip!!!

TLU has been very impressive as has been McMurry.  Those two schools will make things interesting!!

Good luck and a speedy recovery J Neal.  You are a class guy!

[dsc]

RT,

The volleyball is just part of the HSU quest for the "whole enchilada."  As long as we were winning in football, nothing else mattered.    The worm has turned...we want it ALL!

I think "Track and Field" will be next, after basketball!

Ron and Josh...thanks for the "Abilene Week" in football coverage.  Great stories and pictures.

And Jordan Neal...if/when you read this...sending prayers for a successful mending of the injury.  HSU will miss you, but we know you'll provide support from the sidelines!  Good luck!

Cowboys---Git 'er done!

[Ron Boerger]

[...] Wether [sic] people want to believe it or not SR or McM has the potential to knock of [sic] the top teams.  HSU lost there[sic] QB and had other injuries.  There[sic] offensive leader is gone and there is no way that a second string QB can be that good in D3.  Im[sic] not talking bad about HSU's new QB, but thats[sic] the truth.  [...]

So, how's that remedial writing class coming?

Something you seem to have missed in your extensive research and knowledge of D3, Bar, is that the "second string QB" at Hardin-Simmons is a transfer from Indiana.  As in Division I Indiana, where he redshirted two years ago before transferring to Hardin-Simmons.    I think he can play, especially after seeing him in person on Saturday.  Have you seen him play?  Have you seen anyone in D3 play anywhere outside of Alpine?   Making assumptions about all of D3 using one data point (e.g. SR) is dangerous ...

Good luck to Jordan Neal.   Hopefully his surgery goes well. 

[Bill McCabe]

Ron,  I didn't know he was an Indiana transfer.  Where did he play high school football?  How would you compare him to Neal?

[Bill McCabe]

Ron, How good is Louisian College?  I read your report that they lost the ball with 7 turnovers.  That is not indicative of a very good team, or was HSU that much more dominant?

[Ron Boerger]

Ron,  I didn't know he was an Indiana transfer.  Where did he play high school football?  How would you compare him to Neal?

He played at Coppell, Bill, as did HPU QB Adam Johnson.  Pretty impressive that both ended up at D-I schools out of college (Rhode Island for Johnson), also interesting that both have found their way back home to D3.  

Hard to fully compare the two given the situation that Jordy was thrown into.  I'm sure Bernhard was working with a somewhat simplified set of plays, but he was poised and showed a nice touch on his throws.  Jordan Neal is obviously the emotional leader of the ballclub, but I liked the way the Cowboys responded to Bernhard and don't think they lose much once he gets fully up to speed.  

LC - they did get 400 yards despite the faux paus, some self-inflicted, some forced.  Defensively, tho, they had no answers for HSU, especially in the second half.  They'll probably win a couple of conference games, especially when they don't have to travel all the way across Texas to play games.

[Bill McCabe]

Still looks like October 22 will be an interesting game.

[Ron Boerger]

There are five regional SCAC games which could be impacted by Rita, should she continue on-course and on-schedule.  I am contacting the SIDs at the respective schools and hope to have some information about preliminary weather planning in the next day or two.

- McMurry at Texas Lutheran
- DePauw at Trinity
- UMHB at Louisiana College
- ETBU at Austin College
- Sul Ross at HPU (on the western edge which is normally dry, but should the storm go west of current projections Brownwood could also be impacted)

Hardin-Simmons plays at MC, which is far enough east and north that Rita should not impact game play.  Getting back could be another story.