Kyle King and the UMHB offense put up some huge numbers in the quarterfinals against Linfield. Photo by Daryl Tessmann, d3photography.com

By Joe Sager
D3sports.com

By ground or the air, the Cru will get you, one way or the other.

Mary Hardin-Baylor’s offense took to the skies last week in a 49-24 quarterfinal win over Linfield. The Crusaders passed for 403 yards and all seven of the team’s touchdowns came through the air. It was a record-setting day for quarterback Kyle King, who set a program standard with six TD tosses.

“I don’t know what it was (that motivated him), but we need to do it again,” UMHB coach Pete Fredenburg said. “He played a phenomenal game. You hope that he can do that again. Whatever motivation he had, he certainly played well.”

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King was eager to get back into the starting lineup after missing the team’s second-round win over Birmingham-Southern with turf toe. It’s an injury that’s plagued the senior in the final half of the season. He missed two other games as well and senior Ryan Redding filled in and excelled leading the Cru's offense, which ranks third in the nation at 50.2 points per game. King looked fine against Linfield, though, as he passed for 345 yards.  

“Our quarterbacks have been outstanding throwing the ball,” Fredenburg said. “We have wonderful receivers. It’ll be a big challenge for us to continue to develop that skillset.”

No matter who is under center, the team’s passing game has been clicking. It’s averaging 244.69 yards per outing.

“It’s good to have (two proven quarterbacks) because we don’t have to worry,” Cru receiver K.J. Miller said. “Once ‘Red’ comes in, it’s like we already have chemistry and everything works out smoothly. It’s great to have two good quarterbacks.”

Miller, who leads the team with 60 catches for 763 yards, got into the passing act himself against Linfield. He tossed a 58-yad scoring pass to Brenton Martin for the team’s first score.

“It was nice because we kind of have something in store,” he said. “It’s pretty fun to throw a touchdown pass.”

Mary Hardin-Baylor (13-0) tries to maximize its talent spread throughout its offense. Brandon Jordan had seven catches for 136 yards and three scores last week, while Martin finished with three catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Martin snagged 12 passes for 97 yards and a TD as well.

“We have weapons everywhere. It’s good to see everybody getting involved. It’s exciting to see everybody doing well,” Martin said. “Everybody works just as hard, so it’s a lot of fun seeing your teammates scoring touchdowns.”

While the ground game wasn’t needed much against Linfield, it continues to be a force. Aphonso Thomas has 984 yards on the ground and averages 6.0 yards per carry, while Kenneth Cormier, Jr. has 797 yards rushing and averages 5.5 yards per tote. Redding (399) and King (347) are threats with their feet as well.

“It’s very nice to have that balance and it’s wonderful to have that athleticism in our receiving corps,” Fredenburg said. “Our offensive line did a fantastic job and is growing into an outstanding unit. That might have been one of the best offensive performances we’ve ever had. They have a big task ahead of them blocking Whitewater, though. That team always has great size and athleticism.”

Weather could be a concern for the Cru at UW-Whitewater (13-0) as well. When the team last visited Wisconsin in 2007 for a semifinal, the temperature was in the single digits.

“It’s football. We’re just going to go with what we know,” Miller said. “We’re not worrying about weather. If it’s bad, we’ll adjust to it and be just fine.”

The weather forecast calls for temperatures in the mid-30s with some morning snow.

“Certainly there is a concern (about the weather). The national championship game is in Canton, Ohio, this year, too, so teams have to be ready for some weather issues. That’s part of the game and part of what we want to accomplish. We just have to prepare for it,” Fredenburg said.

“We always look forward to being able to travel. Going to a place like Wisconsin, it’ll be a new experience for so many of our guys. We’re excited about playing and where we are as a football team and the challenge Whitewater presents. We’ve not had great success against Whitewater, but we are excited to practice and get ready to go.”

The Warhawks beat the Cru, 26-7, in the 2019 quarterfinals to end the team’s bid for back-to-back national championships.

“It seems like the losses stay with you longer than the wins. I don’t know why, psychologically, that happens. That 2019 loss was devastating,” Fredenburg said. “To be in the situation we’re in, in the semifinals of the national championship backet, I don’t know there’s any more motivation needed than that.”