By Bradley Melchor, Staff
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Football team traveled to McKenzie,TN to take on NAIA opponents Bethel University for their first official game of the 2024 Fall season this weekend .
With the hosts opening the game on offense, the Crusader defense sent an early message by forcing a turnover on downs to kill the Wildcats’ opening drive.
The Crusader offense could not build on this early momentum shift however, as the Cru proceeded to commit their own turnover on downs after picking up just one first down.
With both defenses standing strong to open the game, the Cru defense would continue the trend on their second drive, with sophomore safety Gavin Brzezinski intercepting a pass to set the Cru offense up at midfield.
Taking advantage of the quality starting field position, the Crusader offense would drive deep into Bethel territory before eventually settling for a field goal, with sophomore kicker knocking through a 32-yard field goal to give the Cru an early 3-0 lead.
The Crusader defense continued their dominant start by forcing a punt after allowing only 16 yards on the ensuing drive, and the Crusader offense would set back up at their own 10 yard line.
Trying to take a two score lead early in the second quarter, the Cru offense once again drove downfield, moving over 60 yards to the Bethel 30-yard line over a 10 play span. UMHB’s momentum came to a sudden halt however, as the Wildcat defense would force a fumble and return it for a 70-yard touchdown to take a 7-3 lead with eight minutes remaining in the first half.
Suddenly trailing in the game, things would quickly go from bad to worse for the Cru as junior quarterback Isaac Phe would be picked off on a third down pass attempt, setting up the Bethel offense at the UMHB 33 yard line.
Desperate to prevent the Wildcat offense from taking a double-digit lead, the Cru defense stood tall as they held Bethel to a 26-yard field goal.
Now down 10-3 with just over two minutes remaining in the half, the Cru offense looked to tie the game before halftime. After driving 44 yards downfield to the Bethel 41 yard line, Phe would throw his second interception of the game at the Bethel 2 yard line with just 30 seconds left in the second quarter. The Wildcats would run out the clock and take a 10-3 lead into the halftime break.
Receiving the second half kickoff, the Cru offense showed signs of life in their first drive of the half, putting together an 11 play, 66 yard drive that culminated in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Phe to sophomore tight end Chris Gacayan to tie the game at 10-10.
The game would remain tied through the remainder of the third quarter, as both defense stood strong and forced punts through the next two possesions. Going into the fourth quarter however, the Bethel offense would manage to drive down into the redzone, setting up with 1st & Goal from the UMHB 7 yard line with 14 minutes left in the game. The Crusader defense would make yet another crucial stop though, as senior safety Trystin Brown forced and recovered a fumble at the 4 yard line.
After narrowly avoiding a Wildcat score on defense, the Cru offense would once again be forced to punt from their own 11 yard line after a quick three and out on the ensuing possession.
A short 37-yard punt and long 20-yard return saw the Wildcats start their drive at the UMHB 28 yard line. UMHB’s defense would not break however, as they forced the Wildcats to settle for a 43-yard field goal and take a 13-10 lead after failing to pick up a singular first down on the drive.
Despite the defensive resilience giving the Cru another chance at a lead-taking drive, the Crusader offense would only manage 17 yard in 4 plays before punting the ball yet again.
Starting from their own 23 yard line, the Wildcat offense would finally find the endzone after driving 77 yards in 6 plays to put Bethel up two scores with six minutes remaining.
Leading 20-10 with very little time remaining, the Wildcat defense would put the dagger in the hearts of the Crusader faithful as they picked off Phe for the third time in the afternoon, sealing the victory for Bethel.
A formidable opponent who made a deep run ito the NAIA National Tournament in 2023, the Wildcats would spoil the Cru’s season opener by handing the visitors a 20-10 loss, despite the Crusaders picking up 332 yards of total offense to the Wildcats’ 285, and picking up 19 first downs to the hosts’ 11.
The Cru will return home this week for their second game of the season and home opener against Westgate Christian University in Belton on Saturday, Sept.14 at 1 p.m.
