BELTON, Texas- After defeating Southwestern in the home opener of this abbreviated spring schedule, the UMHB football team hits the road to face what might be its toughest opponent of this four-game regular season, as East Texas Baptist (2-1) awaits. The atmosphere in Marshall will be something to contend with, as will ETBU’s offense. We cover the storylines to watch, what head coach Pete Fredenburg said about the Tigers, the two-deep depth charts for the Cru and much more in this week’s “Coach’s Clipboard”.
Quotes from UMHB head coach Pete Fredenburg:
On improvement from game one to game two: “I thought our effort was outstanding and we really played hard. Obviously, we expected it, and there are still things we can improve on and do as a football team and hopefully we will.”
On East Texas Baptist: “Watching the video this morning and trying to get an idea and a feel for them, they are very big, and very talented. They’ve got a lot of size so that will be an issue for us. Their quarterbacks run and execute their offense well and they’ve always got very skilled guys that can hurt you. The thing that they have is they are 2-1, so they will finish their four-game season before the rest of us, so this game is incredibly important for them, so we’ve got to make sure we understand that and respond to that challenge ahead of us.”
Two-Deep Depth Charts
Offense
| QT | QG | C | SG | ST | TE |
| John Kazmierski, JR | Jesse Hoke, FR | Steven Selllers, SR | Jeffery Sims Jr., JR | Ethan Ruckman, FR | Gary Ruckman, SR |
| Reuel Tandoh, FR | Wyatt Crawford, FR | Matt Sanders, SO | Lance Jones, JR | John Kazmierski, JR | Connor Mullins, FR |
| WR | QB | RB | Slot WR | WR | |
| KJ Miller, JR | Tommy Bowden, SO | Montana Miller, FR | Brenton Martin, SR | Kadarius Daniels,SR | |
| Caleb Eagans, Graduate student | Kyle King, JR | Melek Hamilton, SO | Brandon Jordan, JR | Jaylan Jankins, FR |
Defense
| DE | DT | DT | DE |
| Khavon Shepard, SR | Sante Parker Jr, JR | Kobe Giles, FR | Brady Bonnin, SO |
| Mark Springer, FR | Colton Teague, FR | Sedryk Hernandez, JR | Glenn Thornton, JR |
| WLB | MLB | SLB | |
| Mikkah Hackett SR | Akeem Jackson SR | Jacob Mueller SR | |
| Nicholas McDaniel,FR | Eli Huron, SO | Jackson Sennie FR | |
| CB | Cru | FS | CB |
| Titus Dunk SO | Jayden Smith JR | Jefferson Fritz SR | Drake Johnson SO |
| Tavion Page SO | Courtney Patridge-Lee SO | Omari Frazier FR | Jordan See FR |
- Kicker Anthony Avila knocked a 42 yard field goal through the uprights for UMHB’s first points of the game on Saturday. It broke the ASC career record for field goals made (36). He already holds the school record in that category.
- UMHB is tied with Louisiana College for the lead in the ASC East Division Standings, as the Cru are 2-0 and Louisiana College is 1-0.
- Injury/Inactive Report: DE E’Monte Smith (undisclosed) missed practice last week and will be questionable for Saturday’s game.
About the Opponent: East Texas Baptist University Tigers
Date: March 6
Time: 1 pm
Place: Marshall, Texas (Ornelas Stadium, Capacity: 3,000)
Watch: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/umhb/
Listen: http://listen.streamon.fm/klrkam
Notes:
- ETBU is 2-1 on the season after having breezed past Southwestern and Belhaven early in the spring season. The Tigers were upset by Louisiana College on Saturday 23-17, falling behind 16-0 early in the contest before making a comeback bid.
- The last time these two opponents met on the gridiron, UMHB ran away with a 50-14 victory in the second half, as the Cru held the Tigers to -5 yards rushing and forced four turnovers.
- Entering the spring season, ETBU was slotted to finish second in the East, just behind UMHB. The Tigers received 79 total points in the ASC Preseason Poll.
Storylines to watch:
Quarterback competition in Belton: There is a hint of competition surrounding the starting quarterback job in the UMHB program right now, as Tommy Bowden and Kyle King have each stepped up in different areas this season. It will certainly be something to keep an eye on as Fredenburg said using a two quarterback system “is always a possibility” and that the coaching staff would like to make the most of both Bowden and King’s strengths and talents.
Statement opportunity for both teams: This game has great value for both teams. Entering the season, this matchup was set to be the regular season finale, setting up an “East Division championship” before the ASC Championship game the following Saturday. With ETBU having lost last week, the Tigers desperately need to get back in the win column to keep their hopes of capturing a conference title alive. UMHB and Louisiana College are the only unbeatens remaining in the East, and with a victory in Marshall, the Cru would be 3-0, needing only a win over Louisiana College on March 20th to seal a spot in the first true ASC title game.
Unsteady quarterback situation in Marshall: With go-to starter Brian Baca out, ETBU has been forced to turn to sophomore Aaron Brown, who is 37-of-67 passing through three games this season. Interceptions have been a problem for the Gilmer, Texas native and will likely be brought to light against a Cru defense that has already tallied two interceptions through two games. Brown has five interceptions on the season, including three in the recent loss to Louisiana College. Troy Yowman has also seen time behind center this season.
What the Tigers have on offense: Fredenburg’s assessment of the Tigers on Monday was that they are “very big and very talented.” Two of ETBU’s three leading wide receivers are over 6’0 tall, including Jalen Blanton, who has a team-high 12 receptions for 143 yards. But the Tigers would much rather prefer to keep it on the ground, as Brown leads the team in rushing yards with 139 and running back Bailey Badeaux has 109 rushing yards with an average of 4.0 yards per carry.
