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WNMU opens the season this week at Northern Arizona University. The Lumberjacks are getting a lot of love with several talented players returning this season. They are ranked 23rd in the FCS preseason poll but weren’t ranked very high by coaches in their conference; that may be because the conference is very strong.

I interviewed Coach Clark for our Saturday morning radio show and he’s optimistic about the Mustang’s chances. It will be a tough game; the biggest difference between any D II school and an FCS school like NAU is probably depth. There certainly may be a couple of players at NAU that are more talented but overall our talent level is very comparable. Coach is very optimistic about our skill positions. We’ll go into more depth in the next couple of days but RB, WR and TE will be strong areas for the Stangs. Defensively, DB and LB will be highlighted areas for the Mustangs.

One thing that will change significantly for the Mustangs is philosophy. Fundamentals are being preached by this coaching staff so look for a solid unit on the field for the Mustangs. Fundamentals can get you through those games when other things aren’t going well. Defensively the Mustang front 7 will attack and play aggressively. In the past those players were taught to ‘read and react’. This will lead to big plays both ways but as the players get used to the scheme and philosophy it should yield big results for the Mustangs. It’s more fun because you get more big plays.

The offense has so much skill but can also run the ball. Just a guess on my part but look for the Mustangs to run early while the QB and receivers get their game timing in synch. Chris Voller will get the start at QB and from what I’ve heard and seen his confidence is coming back. He just needs to be patient and go through his progressions…

Stay tuned much more to come.

I just got back from the fall scrimmage at Altamirano Field. As you would expect there were highs and lows, it is after all early in the season with just a week of practice under their belts. I also don’t have an updated roster with jersey numbers so I can’t put players with names yet. But I’ll try some highlights.

Coach wants to run the ball more with Breaker & Brown returning and a couple of newcomers with promise. The question of course is the offensive line. At first the Stang offense threw the ball much more than they ran it but when they did run, they show quite a bit of promise. I’ll tell you this, Breaker and Brown will have some help and competition at the RB position. Donald Askew, 5’8′ 218 of Mesa AZ gives the Mustangs some size to pound it inside. The line gave the backs enough room & a couple of times enough room for me to run through, and Askew can pound it in there. The ‘surprise’ back is Mario Wren, #5, 5’11″ 170 lbs out of Bessemer AL. (again if I got names wrong, we were guessing at some of the players) Wren made several defensive players miss with his first move and then got plenty of yards after the miss. Again the line was better than expected but they have a long way to go.

Passing: Chris Voller looked to be much improved. His confidence level seems to be improving. He made some good passes and had some time to make passes. When he didn’t have time, he put the ball where it couldn’t be intercepted and returned for a TD. Cody House was good as well but made a couple of mental errors that lead to turnovers. Wide receivers are solid. CJ Gardner scored a TD after getting hit, knocked from his feet but keeping his balance and taking it home. Christopher Miranda is still hobbled by a hamstring injury but made some good catches. Sal Garcia is again a threat. I don’t know which TE’s were playing but they have potential. #86 & 87 made good catches with runs after the catch that were impressive. And both blocked passably on run plays.

Defensively, the Mustangs were uneven but did have a couple of interceptions and if I recall a fumble recovery. The line & linebackers on the first team were pretty solid getting pressure on the QB (one pressure led to an interception) I saw that these guys were in position to make a lot of plays now just make them. The DB’s are pretty good. There was some solid coverage; I know Sumpter was in there a couple of times with passes defensed and had a couple of good hits. I can’t be sure which of the other players were there but #15 had an iINT, #31 was in good position a couple of times and a good play by the WR is all that kept him from getting an INT. #8 from his LB position was in the mix quite a bit.

As we get an updated roster I’ll start getting the names right. Overall I think the scrimmage showed some bright spots for the Mustangs. Now lets see them take it to the field when the lights are on and it really counts. I’ll say it again; the coaching staff is doing a very good job so far. The atmosphere is professional and expectations are clearly communicated; there’s a lot of teaching going on; they are enthusiastic and hard working. I think this group is responding well. The coaches are working hard to get this program moving in the right direction. It may not translate to wins early but it will translate to wins.

So I saw more of practice this morning. Same feelings as I had yesterday; more like a football team; more upbeat but still constructive criticism. Guys make mistakes and guys get called out but not berated or belittled. Players are hustling, running from station to station and listening to the coaches. Still a lot of early season type mistakes, guys missing calls, assignments and so on but they seem to be trying. I like what Coach tells them; play with a sense of urgency; fundamentals matter; in fact they are spending a lot of time on special teams; this is where you find the guys that want to play; want to hustle; want to listen. We may not have the success that we want but we are headed in the right direction.

7 QB’s in camp; I’m not sure that any one player has separated himself. Voller is running the #1 offense (while I was there) and seems to be about where he was last year. The line still needs to gel and Chris was under pressure, but he’s got to get that ball out with some more zip; too many passes are short and low. But during drills; he’s right on. Scudder throws the ball well; I like the trajectory he puts on the ball on longer passes; that ball doesn’t float.

Our wide receivers and tight ends will be very good if they continue to battle; man they have strength and speed; DB’s and LB’s can hit but Coach is teaching them some new techniques and it will take them some time to get into the rhythm. But he’s got them going in the right direction. We’ll see what happens next week but if our defense can use their skill and athleticism to keep us in games early this year, we have a chance.

It’s time for Mustangs sports and this blog to get going again. As the season heats up so will we. We’ll get back to discussing the week in Mustang sports right here and hope you will join us. Also you’ll be able to hear all of the Mustang football games right here LIVE and for FREE! Well free to you so be sure you support our sponsors.

I got back from Mustang fall practice. I can tell you that given the situation with a new coach, new staff and what appeared to be very few players on the roster, I’ve been somewhat depressed about the upcoming season and our prospects. I can tell you this; we look and sound like a football team. I like the way Coach runs his practices and his demeanor. We have 9 coaches on the staff compared to 4 or 5 in previous years. (That’s if you count Ronnie Heard as a coach). To me this has always been one of the problems with Mustang football. There weren’t enough coaches to give attention to all of the players. Now I’ve seen how it works for the Mustangs and I’m impressed.

The attitude of the staff is positive and upbeat but demanding. The attention to fundamentals is impressive because can make the difference. The coaches encourage but also correct the players in a positive manner. They explain what the expectations are for each drill and how it will fit into the big picture.

Briefly, we have a lot of talent at the skill positions returning and from what I hear some good players joining the Mustangs. The line on both sides of the ball will be undersized but quick and athletic. We’d better play smart too. I’ve heard some comments about our lack of size (no 6′ 9″, 320 offensive tackles) but Chadron State has had some pretty good success with an ‘undersized’ line as has the School of Mines. I’d say if we play smart, emphasize our quickness and minimize our liabilities we might be in some games this year.

We’ll talk more about specific players in upcoming entries and I’ll try to be on here every day so be sure you check back. One last thought, with 3 top tier running backs, 4-5 solid WR and a couple of good TE, we just need a consistent QB. We have 7 QB in camp. We’ll talk about them later but we should be able to find one in there and if you look at the roster, www.wnmumustangs.com, the one that can put the ball down the field to our burners may not be the one you think…

The Mustangs beat a top 10 nationally ranked opponent for the first time in a long time last night as the Stangs lead wire to wire to topple the #9 Mesa State Mavericks. The loss was the Mavs first in conference play and second overall against 20 wins. We talked in the tip off show about how the Mavericks were a good team; emphasis on team. Despite the fact that Dominguez scored 21 a game his teammates were important and played specific roles on the team and did so very well.

But the Mustangs showed last night how much of a team they were as well. This victory was brought about by everyone on the team. TJ paced the Mustangs in scoring with 33 and recorded 12 rebounds while Carter, Crevelone and Macintosh added 12 a piece. But it was the defense and rebounding that was a key for the team.

The Mustangs held the Mavs to just 10 offense rebounds throughout the game and outrebounded the Mavs overall. The Mustangs got at least 14 pts off of offensive rebounds themselves. Defensively the Mustangs dominated Dominguez for most of the game; Jeron was assigned the task of guarding him and Dominguez had only 4 pts in the first half. To be sure, Jeron got help from the rest of the team. The Stangs were great but they were better than they have been, frustrating the Mavs to the point that it was obvious to the fans.

What was also key was that we knew the Mavs would make a run in the second half, trailing by 16 at the break; we also feared the Stangs would let them make a run. And it happened but what changed was the reaction of the Mustangs. At least 2 times the Mavs cut the lead to 4 and both times the Mustangs pulled themselves out of the doldrums and held of the top ranked RMAC team. In the past when the Stangs started standing around and settling for a one pass and long shot offense it was hard for them to recover the intensity. Last night they did that and last night the Stangs grew up just a little more as a team. Now the Stangs control their destiny. They have Pueblo and Highlands at home this week; if they Stangs get the sweep over the 2 teams just ahead of them in the standings then one win on the road and we should be in the playoffs. It won’t be easy but if this team continues to grow as a team, it is very realistic.

The Mustangs had a chance to battle for 2nd place in the west hosting Ft. Lewis. The Stangs came out and played what may have been their best half of basketball all season. Defense was solid, offense was very good and the Stangs lead by 15 at the break. Ft. Lewis is a good, experienced team and maybe the Mustangs not only expected a run from the Hawks but maybe it worried them too. You could see the Mustangs seemed to be tentative and waiting; they stopped moving without the ball on offense and then didn’t rotate the help on the other end.

Despite playing poorly, the Mustangs shot only 29% in the 2nd half after shooting 50% in the first; the Stangs lead down to the end and had a chance to win. Instead it was a 2 OT game. Ft. Lewis jumped out to a 7 point lead in stanza #1 but the Stangs answered with their own run. In the 2nd OT the Mustangs gave up 5 quick points then answered pulling to within 1 but just couldn’t get over the hump. Ft. Lewis had the experience to withstand the Mustangs: we are young and will learn from the game; IF this group of guys continues to work hard like they have been, with time the Mustangs will have the mental toughness that Ft. Lewis has but we are much more talented team and will be a much better TEAM than Ft. Lewis.

It’s a tough loss and the Mustangs will need to come out firing on all cylinders Saturday with Adams State coming to town. Adams State and WNMU have something of a rivalry building and the Grizzlies would love to beat the Mustangs. It would be a bright spot in a dismal season. If the Mustangs put together 2 halves like the first half last night; it will be a blow out. But it just doesn’t happen; you have to focus and pay attention to the little things; run the offense; move without the ball; protect the basket on defense and box out. Do that and it’s a double digit win for the Stangs.

That is what T.J. told Coach Coleman earlier this week and last night he proved how prophetic he was and how right he was. T.J. hit a shot with about a second left in the game that will be legendary. The Mustangs did not play well but continued to hang around even after falling down by 10 late in the 2nd half. But the Mustangs seemed to wake up and pulled back to within 2 points. They could not close the gap or take the lead in the final minutes despite getting 3 defensive stops against Chadron. Then the Mustangs were down to the last play. Coach called a time out and designed a play to tie the game and get it into OT. But Chadron overplayed and JW could not find T.J. inside; instead T.J. popped out on the right wing, almost out of bounds in front of the Mustang bench when JW got him the ball; a Chadron Eagle defender flying towards him, T.J. let it fly. The ball found NOTHING BUT THE BOTTOM OF THE NET!!!! With .4 left on the clock the Mustangs had retaken the lead for the first time in the 2nd half. And that is when it counts.

Give the Stangs credit. Stefan Mirabal’s outside shot wasn’t back to his normal play so he found a way to score 21 by driving and getting to the basket. Eli Crevelone started making outside shots, a couple of 3′s and a stellar turn around jumper off the board against tough defense helped spark and sustain the run at the end. Jaron again contributed with tough defense, rebounding and great ball handling. JW ran the game well against a stifling Eagle defense limiting turnovers that could have been costly.

I told Chad before the game that I expected him to get a dunk and he came up with a spectacular jam off of a lob. He contributed not only with points but good defense and rebounding. Chuck also came up big, he hit a 3 in the first half that kept the Mustangs in the game and his defense inside has improved; he got a couple of blocks that slowed down the inside game of Chadron. It was truly a team effort. No one stood out as having a great game, but everyone contributed in some way that helped the Mustangs get a win and remain perfect at home. It’s hard to remember sometimes how young this team is. I’ve said it several times already, they aren’t perfect and at times they aren’t pretty but they are exciting and last night just added another chapter to the saga.

The Mighty Stangs got the first win of the 4 game home stand last night, topping UNK 74-66 on Drag’s Court. I have to say it was one of the oddest feelings after a win that I’ve ever felt and Coach said it was weird. The Stangs played solid defense limiting 6′ 10″ Josiah Parker, the Lopers’ leading scorer, to just 6 points. The Stangs also had 15 offensive rebounds to the Lopers’ 13, something which never happens. But give credit to Chad Carter, Chuck Kempf and the rest of the Stangs for their solid defensive effort. Stefan, Eli, Lucio, TJ, Justin all had a hand in forcing UNK to shoot 31% from the field in the 2nd half and relegating Parker to the bench for the last 7-8 minutes of the game.

Offensively, the Stangs built a 16 pt lead in the 2nd half after trailing most of the first half but the guys just never seemed to get on track offensively. Stefan was 1-10 in the first half but made some key lay ups in the 2nd. The Stangs leading scorer had 14 but 4 guys were in double figures and others chipped in 9, 7 & 8, so it truly was a team effort. And TJ had 2 WORLD CLASS dunks!! One of which posterized the defender and Coach called the best dunk he’d ever seen at WNMU. But as I said even after the Stangs let UNK get back to within 8 pts, they held on for the win and it just didn’t seem like a WNMU victory. It was weird but the important part is that it was a victory and you can’t win all 4 games in this home stretch if you don’t win the first. And we’ve done that. Now Chadron is up on Saturday night, let’s get 2…