Week 4 Preview: The ASC opener awaits, as UMHB heads to undefeated ETBU

Photo by Luke Zayas/True To The Cru

No. 21 UMHB at ETBU

Saturday, October 4, 2025 • 1:00 PM CT • Ornelas Stadium
Weather: sunny, 85, 5 mph wind

Setting the Stage

UMHB (1-2) is on the road for the second straight week, and opens American Southwest Conference play against an undefeated ETBU (4-0) squad. The Cru has won its ASC opener in every season going back to 2000.
The Crusaders carry a 22-game win streak against ETBU, starting with its 60-33 win in Marshall in 2004. UMHB is a perfect 12-0 in games played in Marshall in this longstanding conference series.
ETBU is 10-4 at home in three seasons under Ruzicka, including 2-0 in 2025 with wins over Lyon and Oklahoma Panhandle State.
On March 6, 2021, UMHB narrowly edged ETBU in Marshall, 30-28, thanks to Anthon Avila’s 37-yard go-ahead field goal with 2:12 left. It turned out to be the closest game The Cru played during its “20 wins in ‘21” campaign that ended with a Stagg Bowl win over North Central, and highlighted just how tough playing in Marshall can be. In fact, UMHB hasn’t had a narrower margin of victory in any of its 55 games since.
This is just the second D3 opponent UMHB has played this season, as well as the first in-state opponent The Cru has faced in 2025.

Series History

UMHB leads the series 25-1 all-time (including wins from 2016 and 2017), with the programs having first met in Marshall on Nov. 11, 2000 in a 52-7 UMHB win.

3 things we’re watching

With a step up in competition, how effective will ETBU’s run game be?: Only five teams in D3 are averaging over 300 rushing yards per game heading into Saturday, and ETBU is one of them. Listed along with some of the best triple-option teams in the country are the Tigers, who have done nothing but rack up positive yardage in their first four games, totaling 312.5 yards/game and scoring 12 rushing TDs. It’s been an impressive start, sparked by their 481 rushing yards in the 47-8 win over Lyon, and to this point, no defense has truly stopped the Tigers on the ground. Running back Paul Woodard has run for either no gain or positive yardage on 68 of his 69 carries, aided by an offensive line that includes two juniors and a senior. But this is a step up for the Tiger rushing attack, facing a UMHB defensive front that is both faster and stronger as a collective unit than what they’ve seen so far. The Cru may be allowing 159.7 rush yards/game, but those numbers stem from games against UW-Whitewater and Mars Hill, both of whom have top-notch rushing attacks. So it poses a key question: How much will ETBU be able to establish its run game against UMHB? The answer could be the single-most important factor in the outcome. So much of ETBU’s success has come in wearing down its opponent with the run, keeping the ball in Woodard’s hands, and staying consistent with positive gains. But UMHB has the size and talent to potentially take that away, or at the very least, make ETBU run more plays to get the same result, cutting down on the Tigers’ offensive efficiency. Against Mars Hill, UMHB held the Lions to 3.2 yards/carry, their lowest average over their first four games, and the Crusaders will certainly look for a similar result in Marshall. That said, if ETBU’s run game answers the call and finds traction, it could be a major point in favor of the Tiger offense. This is a team that has run for over 270 yards in three of its four games, so either way, expect a heavy dose of running from ETBU in the game’s early stages.

Pressure on Markajani: It’s clear that ETBU wants to run the football early and often. The Tigers are led by Woodard, who has run for over 100 yards in each of ETBU’s first four games, and they’ve got two other quality ballcarriers in the backfield who will contribute as well. But they aren’t afraid to put the ball in the air, and in some ways, the threat of the passing game—while it’s been limited at times this season—has contributed to their rushing success, forcing defenses to not just load the box against the run, but also constantly stay aware of where the receivers are at downfield. All that to say, UMHB is going to have its chance to put pressure on ETBU QB Shai Markajani, and it’s what The Cru does with those chances that could play into the overall outcome. Markajani, a freshman, has shown an ability to complete deep passes and push the ball downfield in the passing attack. But he’s also young, and his five interceptions through four games are evidence of that. In Monday’s press conference, Larry Harmon mentioned how the UMHB defense prides itself in “creating turnovers and setting up field position” for the offense, and the Crusader secondary will be eager for an opportunity to do that on Saturday, after missing out on a couple near-interceptions at Mars Hill a week ago. Markajani’s recent track record seems to indicate there may be more of those opportunities again this week, but those won’t come without the defensive front first getting into the backfield and forcing hurried and off-balance throws. That is something we know UMHB’s defensive line is very capable of, with the best examples coming in The Cru’s 4.0 sacks in the season-opening win over Bethel (TN) and their 3 quarterback hits against Mars Hill. On Monday, Harmon also complemented the defensive line’s progress in fighting off blocks, though he noted they struggled to get much pressure off the traditional four-man rush. It’s hard to know how ETBU’s offensive line compares to MHU’s, but if The Cru is more successful in that area this week without having to send additional pass rushers, it could be a difference-maker, considering Markajani hasn’t yet faced a defensive front of this caliber. Additionally, Brandon McGruder will return as UMHB’s starting right defensive end—an injury forced him to miss last week’s trip to Mars Hill—something that only adds to The Cru’s strength up front.

UMHB’s usage of its passing game: It’s no secret that The Cru’s efficiency through the air hasn’t been much to write home about through the first three games. But there are also several factors below the surface worthy of mention: Starting QB Kirkland Michaux hadn’t started a game since 2019 before this season, Stephen Lee is in the first year of his second stint as UMHB’s offensive coordinator, and has brought a new scheme and approach compared to the previous three seasons, and the offensive line is especially young. Compare this week’s two-deep depth chart to last year’s two-deep for UMHB’s road game at ETBU on Nov. 2, 2024. How many offensive starters remain the same? Two. These aren’t excuses, but they are factors towards what has been an especially low output, especially over the last two weeks. As Harmon noted Monday, “our passing game has been nonexistent and we need to be better at what we’re doing right now.” This game presents a chance for UMHB to break out of what has held them back, matching up with a defense that has the nation’s leader in total sacks—senior DE Dominick Williams—but has also allowed 271.5 passing yards per game, including 500 yards to Centenary just two weeks ago. The Cru should have ample opportunity to keep the chains moving with its passing game, and find momentum through the air in a way they haven’t so far this season. The receiving corps has no shortage of talent, led by sophomore Luke Vidal (7 receptions, 98 yds at Mars Hill) and senior B.J. Stewart (22 receptions, 241 yds in 2025) who have already shown plenty of speed through three games. Fullerton College transfer Travion Watson is also listed as a starter at WR on the two-deep depth chart, set to make the first start of his UMHB career. If the ball finds its way into the hands of these pass-catchers on a regular basis, ETBU could be in for a long afternoon on defense. But that will also require consistent completions, something that was a struggle at times against UW-Whitewater and MHU. The extent to which UMHB utilizes its passing game, and how aggressive the Crusaders are against ETBU’s secondary will be one of the main storylines from an offense vs. defense standpoint.

2 Players to Watch (that aren’t listed as starters on their team’s two-deep depth chart)

Jordan Woodard, RB, ETBU: Paul Woodard may get the spotlight, considering his 596 rushing yards rank fourth in the country heading into Saturday. But don’t overlook Jordan Woodard, ETBU’s No. 2 back, and the impact he may have for the Tiger offense. A transfer from UMHB—he played in five games for The Cru in 2023—Woodard has recorded double-digit rushing attempts in each of the last two weeks and averages 5.7 yards/carry. Through four games, the senior from Brazoria, Texas is averaging 56.0 yards/game.

Aidan Ross, DE, UMHB: Listed as the backup to McGruder at right defensive end, Ross had a breakout game at Mars Hill, registering 3 solo tackles. That included a big hit for a 3-yard loss on a MHU run play in the second quarter that put the Lions in a 3rd & 22 situation. The junior from Heartland, Texas spent 2023 and 2024 developing with the JV program, and has stepped up on the D-Line this fall. His presence should be helpful in UMHB’s run-stopping approach on Saturday.

UMHB 2-Deep Depth Chart

ETBU 2-Deep Depth Chart

Depth charts courtesy of the UMHB Game Notes, which can be found here.

For more insight on ETBU, read our “5 things to know about UMHB’s Week 4 opponent” article, which was published on Wednesday.
For additional reading on The Cru, check out Wednesday’s article, including quotes from UMHB head coach Larry Harmon.