MARSHALL, Texas — The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football team used a pair of 21-point quarters to secure a 42-28 victory over East Texas Baptist University Saturday afternoon in Marshall. The win improved the Cru to 8-1 overall and 4-0 in American Southwest Conference play.
The first quarter featured a defensive battle, with neither team finding the end zone. ETBU had an opportunity to get on the scoreboard but missed a 43-yard field goal attempt late in the quarter.
The second quarter brought a change of pace, with the teams combining for 35 points. ETBU struck first with a four-yard touchdown pass from Jack Crawford to Eric Stovall. UMHB answered on its next possession, marching 75 yards on 10 plays before
Carson Horton connected with
BJ Stewart for a six-yard touchdown.
The Cru added to its lead on the Tigers' next possession when
Keilan Carver intercepted a Crawford pass and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown. ETBU responded with a 75-yard scoring drive, capped by a nine-yard Crawford-to-Stovall touchdown connection to even the score at 14-14.
UMHB answered once again just before halftime.
Ja'Quaylon Silas opened the drive with a 35-yard rush before Horton connected with
Will McClintock for a 28-yard gain to move the Cru to the ETBU 12-yard line. Horton found McClintock again on the next play for a 12-yard touchdown, sending UMHB into the break with a 21-14 advantage.
Stewart opened the second half in a big way, returning the kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown to extend the Cru's lead. UMHB added another score on its next possession, marching 71 yards on 11 plays before
Seth Mouser connected with McClintock for a four-yard touchdown pass.
ETBU answered with an 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Cameron Carr, but the Cru responded once again. Silas capped an eight-play, 70-yard drive with a 36-yard touchdown run as UMHB carried a 42-21 advantage into the fourth quarter.
The Tigers added one more touchdown in the final quarter, but the Cru defense held on to secure the 42-28 road victory.
Horton completed 17 of 28 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Mouser added one completion for four yards and a touchdown. Silas led the ground game with 117 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. McClintock paced the receiving corps with 88 yards and two touchdowns on five catches, while
Trace Meullion added a team-high seven receptions for 83 yards.
Joey Johnson led the Crusader defense with eight tackles.
Alyric Brown and
Gavin Owens each recorded a forced fumble, while Owens added two tackles for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery.
UMHB returns to action Saturday, Nov. 14, against undefeated Hardin-Simmons. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Crusader Stadium, with the winner claiming the 2026 American Southwest Conference championship.
