FB: American Southwest Conference

[Ralph Turner]

HSU is across town at McMurry. The game has been settled by less than a TD for 4 of the last 5 years, HSU winning each one.

If the ASC Tri-Champ scenario worked for McMurry this year, this would be the game. McMurry very rarely plays UMHB close, (like once in the 21 century).

HPU is at UMHB.

[CRULive1845]

CRU D looking like CRU D!

HOWEVER, 1.9 yards a rush against HPU with a 300# line does not bode well for eventual showdown with HSU or a legitimate playoff run for that matter.

Need to get it figured out.

[UMHB03]

CRU D looking like CRU D!

HOWEVER, 1.9 yards a rush against HPU with a 300# line does not bode well for eventual showdown with HSU or a legitimate playoff run for that matter.

Need to get it figured out.

Yep, the running game was bad but the defense had it's best game in a long time against a pretty potent offense. After being wildly inaccurate last week, Horton threw the ball a lot better today and had some nice scrambles too. Another missed PAT was disappointing, but other than that they finally had a solid day in the kicking game.

Good, dominant win over a solid opponent, but they'll need to figure something out with the running game if they want to beat HSU and get back to the top of the ASC.

[Reverendbiker]

I have to admit that I didn't know what to expect from HPU.They came in at 4-0, but apparently playing 4 middle-school opponents didn't prepare them for ASC play. The Cru running game was disappointing, but the defense was stout and hitting like a hammer. I wish they hadn't taken their foot off the accelerator in the second half, though. They played everybody but the cheerleaders in 2H, and I'm concerned that Keilan Carver left and didn't return.

Good news, though: Rowan upset #12 Salisbury to go 5-1 and Endicott is undefeated and ranked #9, so the Cru SOS is looking good.

[Crubacker]

It looks like linemen are pass blocking during runs, they should be driving defenders down the field.  Averaging 300 lbs along the line and the running game isn't any better than that---pathetic.  One dimensional isn't going to cut it.  Harmon was going off on everybody, I'm surprised he didn't gripe at the cheerleaders too!

[zipmac22]

Why is it that tackling with wrapping both arms around the opponent instead of throwing themselves and hope they make contact? The defense gave up so many extra yards because they can't even perform a basic tackle. If we continue to play like that when HSU comes to the CRUthedral there won't be any post season for the Cru.

Also, why was Coach Harmon pulling back the throttle going into the second half? He should be putting in the second and third string to give them the ability to gain valuable experience as well as showing their skills. If The Cru fail to play on in the playoffs I really hope that the school leadership cut ties and find a head coach that can do the job. Coach Harmon was handed the football team who just won their third National Championship and he has run the program into the ground. This is Coach Harmon's fifth year and he fully owns the good, bad and the ugly.

[CruFrenzy]

Why is it that tackling with wrapping both arms around the opponent instead of throwing themselves and hope they make contact? The defense gave up so many extra yards because they can't even perform a basic tackle. If we continue to play like that when HSU comes to the CRUthedral there won't be any post season for the Cru.

Also, why was Coach Harmon pulling back the throttle going into the second half? He should be putting in the second and third string to give them the ability to gain valuable experience as well as showing their skills. If The Cru fail to play on in the playoffs I really hope that the school leadership cut ties and find a head coach that can do the job. Coach Harmon was handed the football team who just won their third National Championship and he has run the program into the ground. This is Coach Harmon's fifth year and he fully owns the good, bad and the ugly.

Respectfully, I'm not entirely sure which game you were watching. The defense might've been the most impressive I've seen them look since Harmon has taken over, and we've had some very good defenses over the last few sea

It looks like linemen are pass blocking during runs, they should be driving defenders down the field.  Averaging 300 lbs along the line and the running game isn't any better than that---pathetic.  One dimensional isn't going to cut it.  Harmon was going off on everybody, I'm surprised he didn't gripe at the cheerleaders too!

Yea, run game was bad. I'm certain that will be a big area of emphasis after this week. However, it's worth noting that the offense had a short field all day and HPU was loading the box big time - essentially daring us to pass, which we did. If anything I'd say maybe we should've just thrown a little more against those type of defensive looks instead of running into more numbers than we had.

I'm not saying the Offensive line played well in the run game, they didn't. They've been soft at times this season and seem to be "catching" defenders instead of bulldozing them, you are 100% correct there. Need to get some dawgs in there if we have them, regardless of size. But again it never helps trying to run into a loaded box.

The defense looked REALLY good. You could tell coach Harmon was fired up too and he had every right to be. Haven't seen the starting unit look that good in a while... if we can maintain that level of production and continue to improve I think we have some really good things within reach.

We said going into this season we were unusually talented, even for our standards and I think some of that is starting to show now that new guys are getting up to speed on how the coaches want the position(s) to be played.

So many guys to highlight but I'll try:

Both starting safety positions. #31 Brody Woods looks like the man out there and hits like a truck. #32 is a true freshman from Chattanooga TN and is emerging as a true freshman phenom at that position, fast and also laid the wood a few times yesterday. Both of those guys are seeing things fast.

Linebackers are locked in, Joey Johnson is awesome. Fast too.

Ty Legg at oustide backer/nickel reminds me of Baylor Mullins out there (I know, high praise).

Scooby Carter is starting to see things faster and made a great forced fumble big hit yesterday.

The D Line is 2 deep with some of the best athletes in the country and all over the QB of late.

Offensively I think we have to force feed Meullion a little bit more he is a stud WR1 caliber player. That will open up the middle for BJ. Horton continues to look like the best QB we've had in several years and flashed the wheels and toughness yesterday.

Good things !

[Etchglow]

Why is it that tackling with wrapping both arms around the opponent instead of throwing themselves and hope they make contact? The defense gave up so many extra yards because they can't even perform a basic tackle. If we continue to play like that when HSU comes to the CRUthedral there won't be any post season for the Cru.

Also, why was Coach Harmon pulling back the throttle going into the second half? He should be putting in the second and third string to give them the ability to gain valuable experience as well as showing their skills. If The Cru fail to play on in the playoffs I really hope that the school leadership cut ties and find a head coach that can do the job. Coach Harmon was handed the football team who just won their third National Championship and he has run the program into the ground. This is Coach Harmon's fifth year and he fully owns the good, bad and the ugly.

Respectfully, I'm not entirely sure which game you were watching. The defense might've been the most impressive I've seen them look since Harmon has taken over, and we've had some very good defenses over the last few sea

It looks like linemen are pass blocking during runs, they should be driving defenders down the field.  Averaging 300 lbs along the line and the running game isn't any better than that---pathetic.  One dimensional isn't going to cut it.  Harmon was going off on everybody, I'm surprised he didn't gripe at the cheerleaders too!

Yea, run game was bad. I'm certain that will be a big area of emphasis after this week. However, it's worth noting that the offense had a short field all day and HPU was loading the box big time - essentially daring us to pass, which we did. If anything I'd say maybe we should've just thrown a little more against those type of defensive looks instead of running into more numbers than we had.

I'm not saying the Offensive line played well in the run game, they didn't. They've been soft at times this season and seem to be "catching" defenders instead of bulldozing them, you are 100% correct there. Need to get some dawgs in there if we have them, regardless of size. But again it never helps trying to run into a loaded box.

The defense looked REALLY good. You could tell coach Harmon was fired up too and he had every right to be. Haven't seen the starting unit look that good in a while... if we can maintain that level of production and continue to improve I think we have some really good things within reach.

We said going into this season we were unusually talented, even for our standards and I think some of that is starting to show now that new guys are getting up to speed on how the coaches want the position(s) to be played.

So many guys to highlight but I'll try:

Both starting safety positions. #31 Brody Woods looks like the man out there and hits like a truck. #32 is a true freshman from Chattanooga TN and is emerging as a true freshman phenom at that position, fast and also laid the wood a few times yesterday. Both of those guys are seeing things fast.

Linebackers are locked in, Joey Johnson is awesome. Fast too.

Ty Legg at oustide backer/nickel reminds me of Baylor Mullins out there (I know, high praise).

Scooby Carter is starting to see things faster and made a great forced fumble big hit yesterday.

The D Line is 2 deep with some of the best athletes in the country and all over the QB of late.

Offensively I think we have to force feed Meullion a little bit more he is a stud WR1 caliber player. That will open up the middle for BJ. Horton continues to look like the best QB we've had in several years and flashed the wheels and toughness yesterday.

Good things !

I'll agree, first half was the most life I've seen out of the defensive unit in years.  They were swarming to the ball and laying a ton of really big hits.  I'd have loved to see the offense get a bit more going and not fall flat in the 2nd half...

HPU had 155 yards less rushing and 253 yards less passing than they were averaging coming into the contest.  That is a total of 409 yards fewer...

My biggest gripe was how sad the crowd was for "homecoming".  Reported attendance of 2142. 

[CruFrenzy]

Why is it that tackling with wrapping both arms around the opponent instead of throwing themselves and hope they make contact? The defense gave up so many extra yards because they can't even perform a basic tackle. If we continue to play like that when HSU comes to the CRUthedral there won't be any post season for the Cru.

Also, why was Coach Harmon pulling back the throttle going into the second half? He should be putting in the second and third string to give them the ability to gain valuable experience as well as showing their skills. If The Cru fail to play on in the playoffs I really hope that the school leadership cut ties and find a head coach that can do the job. Coach Harmon was handed the football team who just won their third National Championship and he has run the program into the ground. This is Coach Harmon's fifth year and he fully owns the good, bad and the ugly.

Respectfully, I'm not entirely sure which game you were watching. The defense might've been the most impressive I've seen them look since Harmon has taken over, and we've had some very good defenses over the last few sea

It looks like linemen are pass blocking during runs, they should be driving defenders down the field.  Averaging 300 lbs along the line and the running game isn't any better than that---pathetic.  One dimensional isn't going to cut it.  Harmon was going off on everybody, I'm surprised he didn't gripe at the cheerleaders too!

Yea, run game was bad. I'm certain that will be a big area of emphasis after this week. However, it's worth noting that the offense had a short field all day and HPU was loading the box big time - essentially daring us to pass, which we did. If anything I'd say maybe we should've just thrown a little more against those type of defensive looks instead of running into more numbers than we had.

I'm not saying the Offensive line played well in the run game, they didn't. They've been soft at times this season and seem to be "catching" defenders instead of bulldozing them, you are 100% correct there. Need to get some dawgs in there if we have them, regardless of size. But again it never helps trying to run into a loaded box.

The defense looked REALLY good. You could tell coach Harmon was fired up too and he had every right to be. Haven't seen the starting unit look that good in a while... if we can maintain that level of production and continue to improve I think we have some really good things within reach.

We said going into this season we were unusually talented, even for our standards and I think some of that is starting to show now that new guys are getting up to speed on how the coaches want the position(s) to be played.

So many guys to highlight but I'll try:

Both starting safety positions. #31 Brody Woods looks like the man out there and hits like a truck. #32 is a true freshman from Chattanooga TN and is emerging as a true freshman phenom at that position, fast and also laid the wood a few times yesterday. Both of those guys are seeing things fast.

Linebackers are locked in, Joey Johnson is awesome. Fast too.

Ty Legg at oustide backer/nickel reminds me of Baylor Mullins out there (I know, high praise).

Scooby Carter is starting to see things faster and made a great forced fumble big hit yesterday.

The D Line is 2 deep with some of the best athletes in the country and all over the QB of late.

Offensively I think we have to force feed Meullion a little bit more he is a stud WR1 caliber player. That will open up the middle for BJ. Horton continues to look like the best QB we've had in several years and flashed the wheels and toughness yesterday.

Good things !

I'll agree, first half was the most life I've seen out of the defensive unit in years.  They were swarming to the ball and laying a ton of really big hits.  I'd have loved to see the offense get a bit more going and not fall flat in the 2nd half...

HPU had 155 yards less rushing and 253 yards less passing than they were averaging coming into the contest.  That is a total of 409 yards fewer...

My biggest gripe was how sad the crowd was for "homecoming".  Reported attendance of 2142. 

I don't think the ticket scanners were working right because there seemed to clearly be a bigger crowd than the Endicott game (home opener). I would've guessed 4200 - 4500.

Should have the biggest crowd of the regular season Nov 13 vs Hardin Simmons per usual. Will likely be the ASC title game and bid for a top 8 seed.