Above photo by Russell Marwitz/True To The Cru
BELTON, Texas- Following a 34-28 comeback win over Hardin-Simmons, the UMHB football team is on the road again, heading to Sherman, Texas, for a contest against Austin College.
It marks the midpoint of the 10-game regular season for the Cru, as they head into a leaguewide bye week next week. It will also be the first meeting between the two programs since 2005.
We break down the matchup, touch on the storylines and bring you UMHB’s two-deep depth chart in this week’s game preview.
No. 2 UMHB @ Austin College
Date: Oct. 2
Place: Jerry E. Apple Stadium, Sherman, Texas
Time: 1:00 p.m. CT
Streaming: https://collegetvticket.com/school/austin-college/
About the opponent: Austin College ‘Roos
Head Coach: Loren Dawson (12th year)
Conference: American Southwest
Season Record (overall/conf): 1-2, 1-2
Names to know (all stats from 2021 season): Sr. QB Tyler James (35/75 passing, 307 yds, 3 TD, 3 INT), Sr. RB Devon Rideaux (45 carries, 241 yds, 5.4 yds/carry, 1 TD), Sr. WR Xavier Maxwell (10 catches, 93 yds), So. DB Jarrett Pleasant (22.0 total tackles, 19 solo tackles, 1 pass breakup), So. DL Max Walstad (9.0 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3.5 TFL)
Three storylines to watch
First meeting in 16 years: Though the Cru and ‘Roos have met on eight occasions, not one of those has come after the year 2005, when AC moved to the Southern Athletic Association. This is AC’s first year back as a football member of the ASC. The ‘Roos won the first two meetings, but since that point, UMHB is 6-0, with a 58-0 victory in the last meeting on Nov. 12, 2005.
Limiting scoring opportunities: Though UMHB did allow 28 points against Hardin-Simmons last week, the Crusader defense has been amongst the ASC’s best, especially in the red zone. Opponents have reached the red zone just four times against UMHB this season, and converted on just two of those opportunities. AC is averaging just 12.33 points per game.
Efficiency is key– A large part of UMHB’s scoring success (51.50 pts/game) has been due to the efficiency of the offense and quarterback Kyle King. The Cru has scored on 21 of 23 trips to the red zone, and King is ranked third in D-III in passing efficiency (206.71).
Two Deep Depth Chart
*-Team Captain, L-Varsity Letter, SQ- Previously on varsity roster in past season(s) but has seen no playing time, TR- Transfer
Offense
Quarterback: *Kyle King (Sr.-1L), Tommy Bowden (Jr.-2L)
Running Back: Aphonso Thomas (Jr.-1L), Kenneth Cormier Jr. (So.-1L)
Wide Receiver: Brenton Martin (Sr.-2L), Aaron Sims (Sr.-1L)
Wide Receiver: KJ Miller (Sr.-2L), DJ Weaver (Sr-2L)
Wide Receiver: Brandon Jordan (Sr.-1L), Jamaal Hamilton (Jr.-TR)
Tiger End: *Gary Ruckman (Sr.-2L), Connor Mullins (So.-1L)
Left Tackle: Jesse Hoke (So.-1L), Hayes Chizer (So.-SQ)
Left Guard: John Kazmierski (Sr.-2L), Cam Williams (Sr.-3L)
Center: Jeffrey Sims Jr. (Sr.-3L), Jacob Dailey (So.-1L)
Right Guard: Matt Sanders (Jr.-2L), Adam Dobbins (Sr.-SQ)
Right Tackle: Ethan Ruckman (So.-1L), Wyatt Crawford (So.-1L)
Defense
Defensive End: Sante Parker Jr. (Sr.-2L), Trey Witcher (Fr.-TR)
Defensive Tackle: Tristan Green (So.-1L), Josh Patteson (So.-1L),
Defensive Tackle: Pete Smith (Sr.-3L), Anthony Clayton (Jr.-TR)
Defensive End: E’Monte Smith (Sr.-4L), Kobe Giles (So.-1L)
Weakside Linebacker: Jacob Mueller (Sr.-3L), Charles Minniweather (Fr.-HS)
Middle Linebacker: Akeem Jackson (Sr.-4L), Casey Buck (Fr.-TR)
Strongside Linebacker: Omari Frazier (So.-1L), Johnny Smith-Rider (Fr.-HS)
Cru (Flex Safety): Jayden Smith (Sr.-3L), Jordan See (So.-1L)
Free Safety: *Jefferson Fritz (Sr.-4L), Khyren Deal (Fr.-HS)
Cornerback: Titus Dunk (Jr.-2L), Tavion Page (Jr.-2L)
Cornerback: Keith Gipson (Sr.-3L), Chaka Watson (So.-1L)
Special Teams
Kicker: Brandon Cunningham (Jr.-2L), Anthony Avila (Sr.-3L)
Punter: *Jefferson Fritz (Sr.-4L), Brandon Cunningham (Jr.-2L)
Punt Returner: Jefferson Fritz (Sr.-4L), KJ Miller (Sr.-2L)
Kick Returner: Aaron Sims (Sr.-1L), KJ Miller (Sr.-2L)
Long Snapper: Jacob Mueller (Sr.-3L), Clay Barnett (Jr.-2L)
Holder: Tommy Bowden (Jr.-2L), Ryan Redding (Sr.-3L)
Notes: LB Mikkah Hackett, a four-game starter and team captain, is not on the two-deep…K Brandon Cunningham, who is 4/4 on PATs this season, and 0/1 on field goal attempts, is listed as the starter at kicker for the first time this season…WR Brandon Jordan is back on the two-deep, having made six catches for 101 yds and two touchdowns against Hardin-Simmons.
