MARS HILL, N.C. – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football team fell to Division II opponent Mars Hill University 21-7 Saturday in Mars Hill. The loss dropped the Cru to 1-2 on the season while the Lions improved to 3-1.
 
The game went into a weather delay just before kickoff, lasting more than an hour before the teams were able to retake the field. UMHB's defense forced a punt on the Lions' first offensive possession. Mars Hill answered the second time out, driving 91 yards on 11 plays for a touchdown with JR Martin capping the drive with a three-yard rush.
 
The Cru drove late in the first quarter, getting a first-and-ten in the red zone and getting on the scoreboard with a 24-yard field goal from Jack Hight. UMHB's defense forced a safety on a punt in the second quarter, cutting the gap down to two. B.J. Stewart returned the ensuing kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown, but the return as called back with a holding penalty. Neither team was able to score again in the half, ending the frame with a 7-5 MHU lead.
 
JJ Davis ended the Lions' first offensive possession of the second half with an interception, giving UMHB the ball deep in their own territory. The Cru was unable to capitalize, sending the ball back to the Lions. Mars Hill used the advantage, going 49 yards on three plays with a 26-yard touchdown pass for a 14-5 Lion lead. The Lions scored again on the next series, using a trick play-completion from Jon Gullette to Charlie Guinade for a 21-5 lead.
 
The Cru got back in the red zone at the open of the fourth quarter but was unable to score. Braden Eberwine got the Cru back on the board with a safety on the next play from scrimmage, cutting the gap to 14 with 11:17 to play. The Cru was unable to use the momentum before the Lions ate up more than seven minutes of clock time late in the fourth. The Cru wasn't able to score again, surrendering the 21-7 win to Mars Hill.
 
Kirkland Michaux threw 15 completions for 126 yards while Seth Mouser added five completions. Luke Vidal was the leading receiver for the Cru, grabbing seven catches for 98 yards against the Lions.
 
Izeal Jones led the defense with eight tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup while Dominick Battle III added seven tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and one breakup. JJ Davis had the Cru's lone interception while Lynford Noriega, Devon Freitag and Gaige Sanders all recorded quarterback hurries.
 
UMHB opens American Southwest Conference action next week in a 1 p.m. match against East Texas Baptist University in Marshall.