GLASSBORO, N.J. – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football team opened the 2026 season with an impressive 35-14 win on the road at Rowan University Friday evening in Glassboro.
Rowan opened the game with a quick touchdown, scoring three plays into the contest for the lead. UMHB responded, driving 62 yards on seven plays with a 19-yard touchdown pass from
Carson Horton to
Trace Meullion for a 7-7 knot. The Profs responded, marching back to the red zone, but UMHB's defense held on fourth-and-one from the five, keeping Rowan at just seven points.
The Cru offense responded three plays later when Horton connected with
BJ Stewart for an 84-yard score. The Cru held that margin through the quarter, forcing Rowan into a three-and-out on their next possession.
UMHB attempted a field goal to open the second quarter, but the kick missed. Rowan drove to the Cru's 38-yard line, but defense forced a punt. UMHB's defense continued to hold, taking the seven-point margin into halftime.
Horton opened the second half with a 55-yard pass to
Maurice Moore for a score on the second play from scrimmage, giving the Cru a two-possession lead less than 30 seconds into the quarter. The Cru forced a three-and-out on the Prof's next possession and marched back down the field but got stopped short of the down marker. Offense struck again at the 3:04 mark with Horton finding Stewart again, this time for a 36-yard score. UMHB tallied 165 passing yards in the third quarter on seven total receptions.
Rowan used a quick 41-yard pass at the 8:44 mark of the fourth to cut the deficit to two possessions but UMHB answered again.
Cody Chapman intercepted a pass and returned it to the 12-yard line before
Jet Hayes punched it in from seven yards out for a 35-14 lead. The Cru defense forced a three-and-out before the offense assumed victory formation in the 35-14 win.
Horton completed 20 passes for 351 yards and four scores in his first game as the starter.
BJ Stewart caught six passes for 176 yards and two scores while Meullion added 86 yards and a score on six receptions and
Maurice Moore had 51 yards on two catches and a touchdown grab.
Jet Hayes also added a rushing touchdown with 35 yards on the ground.
Keilan Carver led the defense with 10 total tackles, eight solo with one tackle for loss and a pass breakup.
Joey Johnson added nine tackles with six solo while
Chase Battles and
Valentin Regalado each added a sack.
Rance Purser went 5-for-5 in extra points in his Crusader debut.
UMHB totaled 389 yards of offense on 52 plays with 351 yards in the air. Rowan tallied 379 yards on 73 plays with 228 yards in the air and 151 on the ground.
The Cru returns to action on Saturday, September 12th at 12 p.m. (PT).
