(November 16, 2008)--The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football team will face a familiar foe in the First Round of the NCAA Division III National Championships when the postseason kicks off on Saturday, November 22nd. UMHB will be making its seventh trip to the playoffs in the past eight years and for the third time in those seven trips, the Cru will face American Southwest Conference rival Hardin-Simmons University. The Cru and Cowboys will kick off at 12:00 PM on Saturday at Tiger Field in Belton. UMHB won the regular season meeting between these two teams 20-18 back on October 4th and the Cru has won eight of the last nine meetings between the two teams, including both previous playoff match-ups. UMHB is 9-1 overall and went 8-0 in ASC play to win its fourth straight ASC title. Hardin-Simmons is 9-1 overall and 7-1 in the ASC this season and advances to the NCAA Division III National Championships as a Pool “C” or at-large team in the bracket.
The winner of Saturday’s first-round game between UMHB and Hardin-Simmons host the winner of the Wesley College/Muhlenberg College first round game on Saturday, November 29th. The other side of the bracket features Millsaps College hosting LaGrange and Washington & Jefferson hosting Christopher Newport University.
“It is always difficult to have to beat a good team twice in a season,” Cru Head Coach Pete Fredenburg said. “I don’t think our guys felt like they played their best game the first time around. I’m sure our guys will be ready to play and I know that Hardin-Simmons will be so I just think it is going to be a whale of a game. I’m really pleased that we get a chance to play it in front of our home fans.”
UMHB is 10-6 all-time in the NCAA Division III National Championships. The Cru advanced to the National Semifinals in last season’s Division III National Championships before falling to eventual national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater 16-7. Ticket information for Saturday’s game will be released on Monday.
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