ABILENE — For the third time this season, UMHB and Hardin-Simmons will meet on the gridiron, and it goes without saying that the stakes are high. In the second round of the playoffs, the Crusaders and Cowboys each have high expectations, ready to make a statement at Shelton Stadium.
UMHB is seeking to improve to 6-0 all-time against HSU in the playoffs, having last faced the Cowboys in the postseason in a 27-6 win in 2018. HSU is looking for a long-anticipated playoff victory, as the Cowboys have reached the playoffs 10 times since 2001, yet never advanced beyond the first round. The Cowboys’ last playoff win came in 2000, when HSU reached the national semifinals.
We will have updates here throughout the contest as the action unfolds in Abilene. We have also linked below other ways to follow the action, both via the radio and livestream broadcasts.
Quick Facts
Kickoff time: 12 p.m. CT
Place: Abilene, Texas (Shelton Stadium)
Records*: UMHB (6-3, 4-2 ASC), HSU (10-0, 6-0 ASC)
*-Only countable games are noted
Follow the Action
WATCH: All Division III playoff games will stream on ESPN+, which includes Saturday’s matchup. You will need to purchase a subscription to watch, if you don’t already have one. Link to the ESPN+ broadcast can be found here.
LISTEN: Ward Whites and Jordan Cox will have the call over the airwaves locally on KMIL 105.1 FM. You can also listen at cruathletics.com/listen.
STATS: Live stats will be available on hsuathletics.com. (Link)
FINAL: UMHB, 17, HSU, 13
0:38 Q4: UMHB’s Durand Hill with an interception of Kyle Brown on 4th down, and that seals UMHB’s victory. Just a tremendous defensive effort from the Crusader defense today, who sacked Brown on 2nd down, and forced a rushed pass on 3rd down.
1:31 Q4: Edwin Lopez extends UMHB’s lead to 17-13 on a 29-yard FG. HSU now needs a TD to win, and the Cowboys have zero timeouts remaining. Smart football from UMHB on that last drive to keep the clock running and add to the lead.
1:43 Q4: HSU has used its first two timeouts, and UMHB now faces 3rd & 8. Cru has run the ball on each of its first two downs.
1:50 Q4: UMHB’s defensive front comes up big again. Brown is pressured and fires an incompletion high above Brock Gibson’s head. UMHB takes possession on the HSU 7-yard line, leading 14-13.
1:55 Q4: Incompletion to Noah Garcia as Dorien Hill was in coverage for UMHB. HSU will keep the offense on the field, going from their own 7 facing 4th & 13.
2:00 Q4: We’ve reached the two-minute warning. HSU faces 3rd & 9 deep in their own territory. HSU has all 3 timeouts, but desperately needs to convert here. Illegal snap infraction is called against HSU before the ball is even snapped. 3rd & 13 now.
2:51 Q4: HSU opens its drive with back-to-back completions, but a holding call against the Cowboys on the second passing play moves HSU back to the HSU 8-yard line.
3:55 Q4: UMHB forced to punt from the HSU 42. Daunte Blake took the handoff and tried to go left, but was stopped short and dropped for a loss of 3 on a key 3rd down. Looks like HSU will have one more chance, with UMHB leading 14-13.
6:00 Q4: Big 17-yard completion from Wright to Rone. Moves the chains and keeps the clock running. Crusaders really handling clock management well today.
8:16 Q4: HSU misses its second FG of the game, as Brumgard’s 42-yard attempt is wide left. HSU put together a solid drive, but ultimately, the Cowboys come away scoreless. Cru leads 14-13.
13:22 Q4: You have to give HSU’s defense credit. Cowboys force another 3-and-out, as Wright’s play-action pass is deflected at the line of scrimmage on 3rd down. Third straight drive that ends in a punt for UMHB.
14:18 Q4: Another exceptional stop from the Cru defensive front. Durand Hill comes up with a sack of Kyle Brown for a loss of 7 yards on what appeared to be an RPO-type play from the Cowboys. HSU settles for a FG and UMHB’s lead is 14-13.
End of Q3: HSU is deep in UMHB territory, on the Cru’s 2-yard line, facing 3rd down. Massive down here, as UMHB’s defensive front will be put to the test again. Cru leads 14-10.
4:53 Q3: The Cru picks up a solid first down on a screen pass to Kamerin Ferguson, but UMHB ends up punting for the second straight drive. HSU takes possession on its own 19-yard line.
9:06 Q3: UMHB and HSU trade punts. Both defenses are really playing well right now.
12:56 Q3: UMHB’s defensive front deserves a ton of credit. HSU took possession on the Cru’s 6-yard line, yet the Cowboys are unable to get into the end zone on three straight run plays. HSU settles for a 24-yard FG, cutting the UMHB lead to 14-10. Massive stop by the UMHB defense.
14:54 Q3: Wright’s first pass of the second half is intended for Jerry Day Jr., but HSU’s Tre Allen jumps in front of the pass and returns the interception up to the UMHB 6-yard line.
Halftime: We’ve reached the intermission. UMHB leads 14-7, but controlled the first half from start to finish. Will be an interesting third quarter, as UMHB receives the second half kickoff. Crusaders have proven they can put together long drives, but expect HSU to make halftime adjustments to better stop the Cru’s run game.
Noteworthy stats:
- First downs: UMHB, 9, HSU, 8
- Rushing Yds: UMHB, 75, HSU, 70
- Receiving Yds: UMHB, 70, HSU, 18 T
- Total offense: UMHB, 145, HSU, 88
- Yds/Play: UMHB, 4.68, HSU, 3.52
- Time of possession: UMHB, 17:36, HSU, 12:24
- Turnovers gained: UMHB, 2, HSU, 1
1:48 Q2: UMHB is forced to punt, but HSU takes possession on its own 1-yard line. Cowboys have a long way to go to score.
2:31 Q2: Da’marion Morris with a huge interception for UMHB down the right sideline, two plays after the Cru offense turned the ball over on downs. UMHB retakes possession on the HSU 43.
2:43 Q2: UMHB holds the ball for 11:38, goes 78 yards in 18 plays, but on 4th & 1, Daunte Blake is stopped short of the line to gain. Turnover on downs, but UMHB dominated time of possession there, which is key.
2:49 Q2: Long drive from UMHB here. The running game has been wearing down HSU’s defensive front. Cru on a 17-play, 68-yard drive right now, and UMHB faces 4th & 1 from the HSU 17-yard line. Cru going to keep the offense on the field.
7:30 Q2: UMHB is imposing its will in the matchup between its O-Line and the HSU D-Line. Larry Harmon said earlier this week that the key would be which team can be the most physical the longest. Cru rushing attack is running full steam ahead.
14:26 Q2: HSU is on the board. Noah Garcia scores on the first play after the fumble recovery on an 18-yard run around the left side. UMHB leads 14-7.
14:35 Q2: HSU with a big momentum shift now. After the missed FG, the Cowboys force a fumble and Jaymarcus Wilson recovers on the UMHB 18.
14:40 Q2: Ethan Brumgard’s 30-yard field goal attempt misses wide left. Huge miss there, as the Cowboys were in position to cut into UMHB’s lead.
End of Q1: Durand Hill with a nice tackle for a loss of two yards to end the quarter. UMHB leads 14-0, but HSU is threatening, on the UMHB 14-yard line. The Cowboys moved up and into the red zone after a late hit penalty against Dillan Botts.
3:03 Q1: TD CRU! On 3rd & 3 from the HSU 26, Jake Wright finds Jerry Day Jr. up the left sideline. Wright’s pass reaches Day in stride for the score, as The Cru leads, 14-0.
UMHB’s run game produced well on that second drive. Asa Osbourn looks terrific early. Had a minor scare when Osbourn fumbled on his fourth carry of the drive, but UMHB’s Joseph Montez jumped on top of it, keeping possession with The Cru.
7:56 Q1: Gaige Sanders sacks HSU QB Kyle Brown on 1st down, marking the second time today Brown has been sacked. Then Brown is pressured again, and hit in the backfield, fumbling the ball. UMHB’s Dorien Hill recovers, and UMHB is winning the turnover battle less than halfway through the opening quarter. Cru offense will start on the UMHB 40.
12:16 Q1: One play, one score! Asa Osbourn takes the handoff up the middle and gives UMHB a 7-0 lead. Excellent momentum from The Cru early on.
12:22 Q1: The Cru defensive line is getting pressure on HSU QB Kyle Brown consistently. UMHB comes up with a big sack on 2nd down and forces Brown to slide for a loss on 3rd down. HSU punts the ball away, with Da’marion Morris taking a 61-yard return up the right sideline and to the HSU 3-yard line. Cru in excellent position to score here.
15:00 Q1: UMHB kicks off to begin the game, and stops HSU’s return at the HSU 20-yard line.
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