BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football team has been picked to finish second in the American Southwest Conference after voting among the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
Hardin-Simmons was predicted to repeat as the ASC Champions after a 10-1 record a season ago. The Cowboys accumulated 29 points and five first-place votes to claim the top spot. UMHB was picked second, totaling 27 points and three first-place votes. The Cru went 8-4 overall last season, including a 3-1 record in the NCAA Playoffs. UMHB earned a trio of wins in the postseason, including a 17-13 victory over the Cowboys.
East Texas Baptist was voted third with 14 points after a 5-4 season. The Tigers went 2-4 in American Southwest Conference play last season. Howard Payne was chosen fourth with 10 total points.
Samuel Steffe was named Tri-Defensive Preseason Player of the Year. A senior from Aledo, Steffe was a First Team All-ASC and Third Team All-Region selection. He played in 12 games last season, totaling 42 tackles with 34 solo tackles and three tackles for loss. Steffe also recorded a fumble recovery at Linfield and interceptions against UW-Whitewater and Howard Payne. He added four pass breakups on the year.
B.J. Stewart was named Special Teams Preseason Player of the Year. Stewart, a senior from Shreveport, transferred to UMHB this season. He earned D3football.com All-America, DCTF All-Texas Sub-FCS Team, All-Region, SAA Special Teams Player of the Year and All-SAA honors as a wide receiver and returner at Trinity University.
UMHB kicks off the 2025 season against Bethel University (Tenn.) on Saturday, September 6
th at Crusader Stadium in Belton.
