Crusaders crush East Texas Baptist Posted On: Sunday, Nov. 1 2009 05:02 AM By Angel Verdejo
Killeen Daily Herald

BELTON – For the first time since 2005, Mary Hardin-Baylor found itself in unfamiliar territory – must-win territory.

With a guaranteed spot to the NCAA Division III playoffs only going to the American Southwest Conference champion, the second-place Crusaders essentially needed to win out to end the regular season.

UMHB took care of the first of its four-game stretch last week against Southern Oregon. The Crusaders made it 2-for-2 on Saturday, turning a 21-point second quarter into a 52-10 win over East Texas Baptist at Tiger Field.

It doesn't secure UMHB's sixth consecutive playoff berth, but it definitely helps the Crusaders' chances for an at-large bid. The Crusaders (7-1, 5-1) trail ASC leader Mississippi College with two regular-season games left.

"It's a little different than most years because usually we're in the position to win the conference," UMHB quarterback Kyle Noack said. "But I feel like it's kind of an asset for us because when we get to the playoffs, it's a must-win every week."

Should UMHB finish second, the Crusaders must hope for one of six at-large bids. They were fourth in the South Region in this week's initial NCAA Regional Rankings, which uses the same formula that determines the 32-team playoff field.

"They obviously have lofty goals, so they know that they can't lose another one," said UMHB coach Pete Fredenburg.

UMHB scored on its first three second-quarter drives and nearly on its fourth just before halftime. Noack threw the first of his three touchdown passes two minutes into the quarter. The Crusaders ran nine straight times before Noack hit Brett McGee for an 11-yard score.

Noack was the starting quarterback, splitting time with LiDarral Bailey until the two switched before the Mississippi College game. The two flipped again Saturday, with Noack going out on the first offensive series and then rotating with Bailey on each series

"We might use that the rest of the year," Fredenburg said. "You take a guy like Kyle Noack who has some experience, some leadership and has been here before, so he can start the ballgame and LiDarral can come. It might be the first series that he comes in, but LiDarral adds a dimension with his ability to run.

"We're just going to use both of their abilities and hopefully that will work to our advantage."

The Crusaders also rotated at running back between Quincy Daniels and Bryson Tucker, who ran for 218 yards last week with Daniels and Desmond Mays both out with injuries. Tucker, originally the starting CruBack (defensive back), will likely stay in the backfield and even lined up in a shotgun formation with Daniels and Bailey.

"The formation is going to be great for us – it's a situation where we have three great athletes in the backfield," said Daniels, who had 109 total yards. "It's who do you want to cover and whoever you don't is going to be wide open and ready to make a play."

Following Noack's touchdown pass, the UMHB defense needed just one play to get the offense back on the field after a Rocky Vaclavick interception.

Bailey and Tucker combined for seven straight runs to move the Crusaders to ETBU's 15-yard line. A holding penalty pushed UMHB back 10 yards, but Bailey found Pi'Dadro Davis in the end zone on the next play.

ETBU (2-7, 2-5) reached midfield on the ensuing drive before punting, and Brett Parker's 46-yard punt return set up UMHB at the Tiger 37. Five running plays later, Bailey scrambled for a 19-yard touchdown and 28-0 Crusader lead.

Noack finished just 4-of-6 passing but threw for 118 yards and three touchdowns, two to Davis. The senior had five catches for 139 yards, while his three touchdown receptions tie a program single-game record.

Bailey finished with 169 total yards, leading a run game that totaled 263 yards and offense that outgained ETBU 484-207.

Contact Angel Verdejo at averdejo@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7564.