CLINTON, MS - The Mississippi College Choctaws (4-2, 2-2 ASC) travel to Abilene, TX this weekend where they will face the sixth-ranked Crusaders of Mary Hardin-Baylor (5-1, 5-0 ASC). The Crusaders were the preseason pick to win the ASC this season.
Date: October 21, 2006
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Abilene, TX • Tiger Field (6,500 capacity)
The Series: Mississippi College and Mary Hardin-Baylar have met eight times since 1998 with the Crusaders holding a 7-1 record against the Choctaws. The Choctaws' only win came in 1998 by a 28-0 score. UMHB has won the last seven games and has won the last three by an average score of 57-3.
1998 W 28- 0
1999 L 27- 30
2000 L 6- 24
2001 L 7- 10
2002 L 24- 39
2003 L 7- 67
2004 L 3- 49
2005 L 0- 61
The Last Time They Met: The Crusaders jumped out to a 27-0 halftime lead over Mississippi College and cruised to a 61-0 blowout victory of the Choctaws in front of a crowd of 2,930 at Tiger Field Saturday.
The Choctaw defense played well in the first half holding the Crusaders to just 133 yards of total offense but still trailed 27-0 thanks to two punt return touchdowns and a 48-yard fake punt.
The Crusaders piled on the yardage in the second half racking up 433 yards when the game was well in hand.
Mary Hardin-Baylor wide receiver P. J. Williams was the star returning seven punts for a UMHB school record 278 yards including two touchdowns. In the first half Williams had punt return touchdowns of 86 and 80 yards. He also caught three passes for 61 yards and another 22-yard touchdown.
MC quarterback Adam Shaffer provided most of the offense in the first half managing to complete 9-20 passes for 111 yards despite several drops. He would leave the game in the first half with an injury.
What to Watch for: Mary Hardin-Baylor, along with Hardin-Simmons, has dominated the ASC since 2000 with the rest of the league battling for third place. A win over the Crusaders would establish the Choctaws as a serious challenger for an ASC championship.
One key to the game will be how well the Choctaws are able to run the ball. The Crusaders lead the country in rushing defense allowing an amazing 5.2 yards rushing per game. The Choctaws are ranked 2nd in the ASC averaging 175.5 yards per game. The Choctaws ranked 5th nationally averaging more than 453 yards per game but they are facing a defense ranked 16th allowing just 211 yards.
The Choctaws will have an opportunity to do damage through the air if the offensive line can slow down a dominating defensive front. The Crusader defense has not had the same success against the pass allowing teams to pass for more than 200 yards per game and eight touchdown passes.
Date: October 21, 2006
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Abilene, TX • Tiger Field (6,500 capacity)
The Series: Mississippi College and Mary Hardin-Baylar have met eight times since 1998 with the Crusaders holding a 7-1 record against the Choctaws. The Choctaws' only win came in 1998 by a 28-0 score. UMHB has won the last seven games and has won the last three by an average score of 57-3.
1998 W 28- 0
1999 L 27- 30
2000 L 6- 24
2001 L 7- 10
2002 L 24- 39
2003 L 7- 67
2004 L 3- 49
2005 L 0- 61
The Last Time They Met: The Crusaders jumped out to a 27-0 halftime lead over Mississippi College and cruised to a 61-0 blowout victory of the Choctaws in front of a crowd of 2,930 at Tiger Field Saturday.
The Choctaw defense played well in the first half holding the Crusaders to just 133 yards of total offense but still trailed 27-0 thanks to two punt return touchdowns and a 48-yard fake punt.
The Crusaders piled on the yardage in the second half racking up 433 yards when the game was well in hand.
Mary Hardin-Baylor wide receiver P. J. Williams was the star returning seven punts for a UMHB school record 278 yards including two touchdowns. In the first half Williams had punt return touchdowns of 86 and 80 yards. He also caught three passes for 61 yards and another 22-yard touchdown.
MC quarterback Adam Shaffer provided most of the offense in the first half managing to complete 9-20 passes for 111 yards despite several drops. He would leave the game in the first half with an injury.
What to Watch for: Mary Hardin-Baylor, along with Hardin-Simmons, has dominated the ASC since 2000 with the rest of the league battling for third place. A win over the Crusaders would establish the Choctaws as a serious challenger for an ASC championship.
One key to the game will be how well the Choctaws are able to run the ball. The Crusaders lead the country in rushing defense allowing an amazing 5.2 yards rushing per game. The Choctaws are ranked 2nd in the ASC averaging 175.5 yards per game. The Choctaws ranked 5th nationally averaging more than 453 yards per game but they are facing a defense ranked 16th allowing just 211 yards.
The Choctaws will have an opportunity to do damage through the air if the offensive line can slow down a dominating defensive front. The Crusader defense has not had the same success against the pass allowing teams to pass for more than 200 yards per game and eight touchdown passes.