FB: American Southwest Conference

[Crubacker]

Poor coaching today cost UMHB the game.  First, you get behind early because of a slow start.  Kids get it going in the second quarter but that INT in the 2nd quarter was the swing in the game-----now that is all on the QB there.  That could have been at least a 10pt lead going into halftime but instead tie game----10 pt possible swing not to mention UMHB was getting the ball to start the 2nd half.

Got to finish drives.  QB has to take some heat for this because he made some poor decisions in this game.  Play calling was a little suspect at times and conservative--------got to put the damn hammer down.

Defense played well at times but not enough pressure.  When they did get pressure it disrupted Endicott offense and then it was like the defense decided to back off and just play conservative.   2 BIG screw ups in the secondary------------I wouldn't even call that blown coverage-------there was nobody within 20 yds of those receivers when they scored 2 of those TD's.  Time ticking down in the 4th, UMHB needs a score to tie and everyone was just standing there watching the clock tick down.  Poor time management, poor use of timeouts.

Running game finally produced something fruitful.  You got an offensive line that averages 300 pounds, you should be steam rolling defense and racking up rushing yards but the lineman hit one guy and it's like "Well, I did my job"  Get your ass downfield and bulldoze somebody!

[zipmac22]

WOW, just WOW! I'd love to be a fly on the wall in The Cru's locker room at halftime. There seems to be too many players that think it's just them out there on the field Both the offense and defense need to start working together as a single unit. Perhaps put another QB in and see what happens...how could it get any worse? Seeing some of the Hardin Simmons game I wonder what The Cru will look like against them? If we play Hardin Simmons like we played today they will be able to put at least 50 on the board against The Cru. Start playing the fundamentals i.e.: wrap up and tackle, keep playing until the whistle sounds and stop making bonehead mistakes which collects all those unnecessary penalties to name a few. At the third week of the season everyone should be firing on the same cylinder! Lets do better Crusaders!

[Crubacker]

Have to give Endicott credit, they came to play and had a good game plan.  Took advantage of a lot of mental breakdowns from the Cru and the heat didn't seem to bother them.  Thought that might be an advantage for the CRU but not even close.

On the Cru side, defense played well at times but you have to play well the entire time you are on the field---gave up too many big plays and had quote a few stupid penalties.

Offense has got to get it going right out of the gate, not 2-3 series later when you are behind 14 pts.

Turning point in this game was when Endicott got an INT with about a minute left in first half and ended up notching the score at 21 apiece------------huge swing.  If Cru had at least gotten a field goal( but then again, the kickers couldn't hit the broad side of a barn) would have been up 10 and the ball to start 2nd half------------that is totally on the QB.  Time management at the end of the game-----that's on the coaches.

Got to move on and play better from here on out.

[CruFrenzy]

Bye week would seemingly come at a good time here for our players and coaches to stew on that kind of a loss and become a better team because of it. This wasn't the kind of loss that makes you feel like we need to clean house the next day, it feels like a game we should have won if we just did the little things the right way & didn't.

But again, consistency is clearly a reflection of the program top down. How much of that is because of portal in/out every year? Probably a good bit of it. Hard to play consistent when you have new guys in from year to year, regardless of talent level.

On a positive note, I do believe this is an abnormally talented UMHB team, particularly on the offensive side of things. QB is the best we've had since 2022 (King's last season), that seems pretty clear - we haven't had much in that department for seasons now.

Legit weapons at wideout and stupid talent at running back. Plus we still have BJ. This offense can & should be the best we've had in years. The defense had a ton of turnover from last year. The busted coverages can pretty much never happen but one thing even in seasons we have not made the post season under Harmon our defense has been really good, sometimes great by the end of the year. I'd expect this group to round into form by seasons end again, the talent is there.

Obviously every game is a must win now and the conference looks strong this year. Gotta take it one game at a time but if we can win until that November 14 matchup with Hardin Simmons I think we have a chance to be a very very good team heading into that game.

I'm still optimistic about this season.

[Crubacker]

Agreed and well said!  I allowed my frustration to get the better of me, not ready to throw in the towel.  I think it is certainly understandable when the scores that have been given up so far have been on busted coverages.  When you look at the stats, UMHB has only given up 1 rushing TD in 3 games but 6 passing TD's in 3 games----busted coverage and it was ugly busted coverage---like the kind that my grandma in a wheelchair could have scored on.

Positives----running game came alive.  Offensive line had some changes but didn't allow a sack and I believe they have only allowed 2 so far.  Receivers looked great.  Not where they want to be but plenty of time to get better.

[Ralph Turner]

I wonder if a 2-loss UMHB team would make the playoffs. Endicott may finish undefeated and have a strong NPI. The same may be said for an undefeated HSU which would have only 7 countable wins.

Were HPU to finish the ASC 3-2, a 5-2 D3 record might not help the NPI much.
Were McMurry to finish the ASC 3-2, a 6-3 D3 record with losses to 3 Top 25 teams might have a stronger NPI.

If UMHB beats HSU, HSU has strong wins, Chapman and UW-L, towards a Pool C bid at 6-1 vs D3.

[UMHB03]

The season isn't over but there's no longer any room for error. It's 6-0 (vs D3 opponents) or bust from here on out. I can't see UMHB making the playoffs with two losses and no quality wins. I would have to think, or at least hope, that missing the playoffs for the third time in four years at a program that was a national power until just a few years ago (and still should be) would warrant a change at the top.

[Patrick Coleman]

If UMHB finishes with two losses, and Hardin-Simmons and Endicott finish undefeated, UMHB has an 81.6% chance of making the playoffs, according to Logan Hansen's season simulator.

https://hansenratings.com/simulation/2026/scenarios/

[UMHB03]

If UMHB finishes with two losses, and Hardin-Simmons and Endicott finish undefeated, UMHB has an 81.6% chance of making the playoffs, according to Logan Hansen's season simulator.

https://hansenratings.com/simulation/2026/scenarios/

Wow, a lot better odds than I would have expected.

Still, lets win out and remove all doubt. Maybe get some home playoff games. I miss attending playoff games in November and December.

[CruFrenzy]

Yes, we need to win out. If we do a top 8 seed and hosting some games is very possible. HSU looks good again this season. That last game of the season in Belton might just be a gigantic one.