“Actually, you don’t know how true that is,” the Crusaders’ coach said.
UMHB will have a new starting tailback for the fifth time in seven games when the Crusaders square off with Southern Oregon at 3 p.m. today at Raider Stadium.
Racked by injuries, NCAA Division III third-ranked UMHB (6-0) has given the ball to a bevy of running backs.
Against the NAIA Raiders (2-5), the Crusaders will give it to sophomore Nathan Meyer.
With preseason All-American Quincy Daniels (knee), Matt Hurst (shoulder) and Billy Abreu (clavicle) out, linebacker-turned-tailback Meyer carried the ball nine times for 107 yards in a reserve role two weeks ago but didn’t touch it last week.
Tommy Vadell - last week’s starter - has moved back to fullback. Freshman Josh Landrum will back up Meyer after running for 76 yards last week in his first varsity game.
“We’ve had to play Josh before we wanted. But because of the injury situation, we’ve needed somebody with some speed,” Fredenburg said. “He has incredible vision, and we believe he could become a great back.”
The injuries haven’t been devastating to UMHB’s offense, but they have taken their toll. The Crusaders are averaging 101 fewer yards and 19 fewer points per game than they were at the same time last year.
But the smaller rushing numbers do not mean UMHB will be passing more. The Crusaders attempted 19 passes last week but only two on first down.
“Any time you throw, it’s a calculated risk even though you would like to think that you’re going to execute,” Fredenburg said. “And sometimes you’re just taking what the defense is giving you. I do believe, though, when the game is tight, you’re taking a calculated gamble throwing on first down.”
Whether it’s on the ground or through the air, the Crusaders - who average 411 yards and an American Southwest Conference-best 36 points per game - will be trying to move the ball against a hulking Raiders team that’s yielding 315 yards and 23 points.
“They’re probably better on defense than offense,” Fredenburg said of Southern Oregon, which has suffered three losses by eight points or less. “Almost all of their games have been close.”
The Raiders’ downfall has been their offense. SOU is churning out just 293 yards and 15 points per game, and it will face a UMHB that gives up averages of only 274 yards and nine points.
The meager offensive output is not due to a lack of size, however. The Raiders’ offensive linemen stand an average of 6-4 and range in size from 260 to 345 pounds - and that doesn’t include a pair of 6-5, 250-pound tight ends.
“All you have to do is watch some film on these guys and it wakes you up. These guys are really huge,” Fredenburg said. “They’re so much better looking than their record indicates. Even though they haven’t performed very well at times, you can see on film what they’re capable of.”
NOTES: UMHB will be without cornerback William Hunnicutt, who suffered a leg injury during practice this week. Josh Goode will start in his place. . . . Today marks the third game in the Pacific Northwest in the Crusaders’ 11-year history. UMHB defeated Willamette in Salem, Ore., 27-15 in 2003 and 45-24 in 2005.
edrennan@temple-telegram.com
