Crusaders de-claw Tigers, take title
Coming into last weekend’s homecoming game against East Texas Baptist University the team was left limping a bit. However, after the 72-7 thrashing it unleashed on the opposition, the only reason to limp is a result of the weight of the American Southwest Conference championship trophy. The win gives the team their fifth crown in the last six years.
After falling 41-14 in the much anticipated match-up against the highly-ranked University of Wisconsin–Whitewater two weeks ago which caused the team’s national ranking to drop from number two down to the seventh position, the Crusaders were looking for a way to show they were better than the way they played against the Warhawks.
“I don’t know if you call it motivation, but we did have something to prove and some confidence to regain,” senior, tight end Peter Medlock said.
Playing in their season finale, ETBU was looking for an upset which would have given them a small chance at the ASC crown. With this in mind, the Crusaders knew that they were going to have to play a good game to get a victory.
“To beat ETBU we are going to have to play the way we know how to play. We are going to have to limit our mistakes and take advantage of the opportunities we get,” senior, wide receiver Patrick Oliver said before the game.
The defense for the Cru got things started early as they picked off their first of three passes in the game to set the team up with great field position. The offense could not capitalize with a touchdown, but Joel Muñoz was good from 48 yards out to give the Crusaders a 3-0 lead.
ETBU was stopped again by UMHB’s defense, but their punter was able to pin the Cru deep in their own territory at the 6-yard line. Not deep enough, though, as Jarvis Thrasher took a handoff and brought the ball all the way back for a 94-yard touchdown, breaking the school record of 93-yards set by Quincy Daniels in the Oct. 20 game against Mississippi College.
Other than another Muñoz field goal, things settled down in the game until Jerrell Freeman broke through the line, blocked a punt, picked up the loose ball and ran into the end zone for a touchdown, making the score 20-0 after the PAT.
With only a minute left of the second quarter and the score 27-0, the Crusaders got the ball back. The Cru proceeded to drive 75-yards by way of Josh Welch, who completed three passes for 71 yards in the drive. Oliver capped the drive when he caught a pass at the 5-yard line and then dove into the end zone to make the score 34-0. The Tigers threatened to score before half-time, but Eric Henri blocked a field goal attempt to end the first half.
In the second half, things did not get any better for ETBU as they were held to under 200 yards of total offense in the game and committed six turnovers.
Muñoz starting the scoring again in the third quarter, hitting a season-high 49-yard field goal attempt. Freeman forced a turnover on the next ETBU drive, which Lee Munn picked up and ran in for a score.
Josh Saenz scored the next touchdown for the Cru on a 7-yard rush that was set up by his longest of the season of 52 yards.
Chris Owen then made the most of his time in the game when he scored the last three touchdowns for the Crusaders with two 4-yard runs and a 48-yard reception from Saenz.
The Crusaders will look to finish out their regular season strong next weekend against Howard Payne in Brownwood at 1 p.m. HPU is 1-8 (1-6) with their lone victory coming against Hardin-Simmons in a 48-47 overtime victory for the Yellow Jackets. Following the game, the team will wait to see who and where they will play in their first-round game in the playoffs.