FB: American Southwest Conference

[D3Navy]

UMHB needs to tackle. 

[UMHB03]

Well, the good news is Whitewater is the best D3 team we'll face this year unless we somehow advance a few rounds into the playoffs. At least, I hope they are because if not we're in trouble.

The bad news: the defense is sub-standard to put it kindly, especially against the run. That was a concern I had after watching the first scrimmage. I had hoped that the heat might allow UMHB to wear Whitewater's defense down in the second half, but instead they wore ours down. After the phantom roughing the passer call in the 3rd quarter, they completely folded. Even after three years of it, I still haven't gotten used to seeing UMHB athletes get manhandled that way. That should never happen.

Michaux has some athleticism but he lacks accuracy and composure. He missed too many wide open receivers today. Mouser didn't look any better in limited action.

Does anyone know why the punter always launches the ball into the end zone instead of trying to pin the opponent deep? This is the second game in a row of that.

In summary, this is a team that could sneak into the playoffs, as Hardin-Simmons haven't exactly look like world beaters so far either, but at the moment they don't look like a team that can seriously contend for the 3rd year in a row.

[Crubacker]

Defense played decent in 1st half, but too long on the field.  Offense has to sustain drives.  Today, was a little predictable----don't get back into Padron days(run, run, pass)  Michaux was inconsistent---had wide open receivers and overthrew them a lot.  He made some good throws but few and far between.  Defense in 2nd half could not stop run, got bulldozed.  Defensive ends-----don't understand it, every play they were crashing down and the runner was going right past them----its like they weren't even looking for the ball(terrible defense)  The CB's playing 8+ yards off the receivers-----so tired of that.  Press them at the end line, knock them off their route.  Stupid penalties at costly times-------the roughing passer penalty was a good call--------he hit the QB in the head with arm swipe------automatic roughing call.  That was stupidity on the player.  Fast start and illegal shift penalties take them out of FG range-----stupid, stupid, stupid-----lack of discipline and composure.

Certainly didn't play like a 6th ranked team and didn't deserve that ranking to begin with.  Missed an extra point-------get a 15 yard kick catch interference penalty--------just stupid mental mistakes.

That roughing the passer penalty was huge-----had them 3rd and long, stopped them and get hit with that-----that seemed to really be a game changer because they went flat after that.

Poor play calling at times as well.  Hate seeing a poor performance like this.

[UMHB03]

Defense played decent in 1st half, but too long on the field.  Offense has to sustain drives.  Today, was a little predictable----don't get back into Padron days(run, run, pass)  Michaux was inconsistent---had wide open receivers and overthrew them a lot.  He made some good throws but few and far between.  Defense in 2nd half could not stop run, got bulldozed.  Defensive ends-----don't understand it, every play they were crashing down and the runner was going right past them----its like they weren't even looking for the ball(terrible defense)  The CB's playing 8+ yards off the receivers-----so tired of that.  Press them at the end line, knock them off their route.  Stupid penalties at costly times-------the roughing passer penalty was a good call--------he hit the QB in the head with arm swipe------automatic roughing call.  That was stupidity on the player.  Fast start and illegal shift penalties take them out of FG range-----stupid, stupid, stupid-----lack of discipline and composure.

Certainly didn't play like a 6th ranked team and didn't deserve that ranking to begin with.  Missed an extra point-------get a 15 yard kick catch interference penalty--------just stupid mental mistakes.

That roughing the passer penalty was huge-----had them 3rd and long, stopped them and get hit with that-----that seemed to really be a game changer because they went flat after that.

Poor play calling at times as well.  Hate seeing a poor performance like this.

If that was a good call on the roughing the passer then that's a terrible rule. Nothing about a defender's hand brushing against the QB's helmet warrants a 15 yard penalty. I couldn't even tell that he touched him on the replay.

I agree about the penalties though, especially the kick catch interference. It's disheartening to see the same old lack of discipline every year. It's starting to become a trademark of Harmon's teams.

[zipmac22]

It was very noticeable when The Cru lost their grit and determination to make things happen. I know it's a problem at every level of football (the inability to tackle), but how is throwing themselves at the ball carrier without wrapping their arms around them going to work? There seemed to be too many discombobulated plays in all areas (offense, defense and special teams). The players have to skills to get the job done, but aren't giving 100%. We have speed with our WR's but Michaux is missing his receivers too often. The team needs to stop making all those mental mistakes and keep their heads with the business at hand.

[umhb2001]

Once again, Cru Football returns to mediocrity when all the talent of Texas football would lead you to believe they would recruit, train, repeat the success. But no.

WRs can't catch. QB can't hit open WRs. Defense looked fine in the first half but were gassed in the second half.

The return of our national championship offensive play caller has yielded little confidence that anything new will happen.

The QB we had last year was better than this. So disappointed.

[Cru2016Champions]

It was an obvious roughing the passer/hands to the face. I was on that yard marker looking down at it.  Just ridiculous to get that close and high on the QB on 3rd and 18.

Really couldn't believe what I was seeing with 3 minutes to go until halftime. Running up the middle?  Over and over with no real plan, no urgency.  We could have been right in it at halftime.  This is the best our coach could come up with?

[CruFrenzy]

I am not in complete panic mode, personally. I'm not happy with how we looked Saturday but I still think this is our best roster in a while, so I'm optimistic we can learn from that performance.

Defense was on the field the entire game and got warn down, but also must have had 9 guys on and off the field with injuries, that doesn't help.

Offense is clearly the bigger issue. When the QB made a decent throw we'd drop a walk in touch down, when receivers did play well QB was missing them. Just not cohesive in any way on offense. Kind of wonder if we open up the QB battle and see what the other guys (Mouser and Horton) have got. Nothing to lose this week against a D2 opponent, doesn't help or hurt our playoff standing.

[umhbalum]

I am not in complete panic mode, personally. I'm not happy with how we looked Saturday but I still think this is our best roster in a while, so I'm optimistic we can learn from that performance.

Defense was on the field the entire game and got warn down, but also must have had 9 guys on and off the field with injuries, that doesn't help.

Offense is clearly the bigger issue. When the QB made a decent throw we'd drop a walk in touch down, when receivers did play well QB was missing them. Just not cohesive in any way on offense. Kind of wonder if we open up the QB battle and see what the other guys (Mouser and Horton) have got. Nothing to lose this week against a D2 opponent, doesn't help or hurt our playoff standing.

I would say that I would make it clear that nobody's starting position is set in stone. Definitely open up the QB competition and do we have any younger WR's we should take a look at closer?

[Crubacker]

I actually thought the offensive line was a bright spot this past weekend.  UW-W didn't wreak havoc in the backfield and the line didn't really cave to UW-W so that's a positive.

[D3fanboy]

does a loss against Mars Hill trigger the annual exodus? or does the transfer mill wait until the fourth game to start spinning?

[Crubacker]

Loser is back on trolling again

[UMHB03]

Loser is back on trolling again

And unfortunately the "ignore" feature doesn't work, and the admin don't police trolls.

[CruFrenzy]

I know anything outside of D3 opponents doesn't count towards your playoff resume but this is a very important game today imo. ANYTIME you lose a football game at UMHB the next game needs to be a statement, that's how it's always been and that's what teams with legit championship aspirations do, they respond!

Both of the major small college metrics (MASSEY and Hansen) have UMHB as a +4 or +5 point road underdog. REGARDLESS of the final score we HAVE to see wall to wall intensity and effort for 4 QTRs... the final score we can work with but gotta have the effort or I have major concerns for our season. Let's see what happens, go get 'em CRU.

[CruFrenzy]

Lightning delay