File photo by Luke Zayas/@lukezayas_photography from the 2023 meeting between UMHB and UW-Whitewater, the last time the two programs faced off in Belton
BELTON — Both UMHB and UW-Whitewater saw their national rankings rise in Sunday’s release of the Week 2 D3football.com Top 25 Poll, adding another layer to what is shaping up to be one of the “Games of the Week” in Division III football on Saturday.
The Cru, who were idle in Week 2 after a season-opening win over Bethel (TN) on Sept. 6, moved up to No. 6 in the poll. It is UMHB’s highest national ranking of the season thus far, as Larry Harmon’s squad opened the fall at No. 8 in the preseason poll, and slid up to No. 7 in the Week 1 poll.
UMHB’s rise meant a jump ahead of ASC rival Hardin-Simmons (2-0), as the Cowboys were one spot ahead of The Cru after Week 1. But HSU’s narrow 24-19 rivalry win against McMurry on Saturday evening seemingly caused the Cowboys to drop to No. 8, and pushed UMHB higher on the ballots of at least some voters. The Crusaders are now the highest-ranked team in Region 3 heading into the season’s third week.
UW-Whitewater (2-0) is also trending very much in the right direction, as the Warhawks, who began the season ranked No. 24, are up to No. 16 in the poll. Off to a 2-0 start with victories over D3 Carleton and NAIA St. Xavier, UW-Whitewater jumped five spots between Week 1 and Week 2, tying Berry for the largest increase in poll position in that span.
Seeking a return to the playoffs in 2025 after missing the postseason a year ago, the Warhawks are clearly a determined bunch, but still have plenty of work left to do in arguably the most balanced league in the country. Despite being firmly in the Top 20, UWW is only the fourth-highest ranked WIAC team in the Week 2 poll, behind UW-La Crosse (No. 9), UW-Platteville (No. 11), and UW-River Falls (No. 12). A total of five WIAC programs—62.5% of the entire conference—are ranked in the nation’s Top 20, with UW-Oshkosh three spots behind Whitewater at No. 19.
Saturday’s much-anticipated meeting between the two programs marks the fourth consecutive year in which the longtime powerhouses will meet in the regular season. In that span, only the 2022 contest in Whitewater featured a higher-ranked matchup, with UMHB at No. 1 and UW-Whitewater ranked No. 6. It was also the last time in series history that The Cru entered the matchup as the higher-ranked team.
Kickoff on Saturday is set for 11 a.m. CT, UMHB’s earliest kickoff time of the 2025 regular season. The Cru is looking to start 2-0 for the first time since 2022 and beat UW-Whitewater in consecutive seasons for the first time ever, as they won on the road, 35-17, in Week 3 last fall. For UW-Whitewater, the contest presents an opportunity to start 3-0 for the third time in the last four years.
It will also be UMHB’s “Paint It Gold” game, with fans asked to wear gold and pack the stands at Crusader Stadium for the Top 20 matchup.
May an improved Cru hold forth against the Warhawks again!!!