ABILENE, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor advances to the third round of the 2024 NCAA DIII Football Championship Playoffs after a second-round win over Hardin-Simmons on Saturday, November 30^th in Abilene.

UMHB was first to score with 12:46 on the clock in the first quarter on an Asa Osbourn four-yard rush. The Cru went up 14-0 on the next drive as Jake Wright found Jerry Day, Jr. for a 26-yard touchdown.

The Cowboys opened the second quarter with a fumble recovery by Jaymarcus Wilson at the Cru 18-yard line. Hardin-Simmons scored on the next play with an 18-yard rushing touchdown by Noah Garcia at the 14:26 mark to cut the gap to seven.

UMHB held possession until the 2:48 mark when they turned it over on downs. The Cru quickly regained the ball with an interception from Da’Marion Morris two plays later. Both teams remained scoreless through the final two minutes, going into the break with UMHB ahead 14-7.

Hardin-Simmons started the second half with an interception by Tre Allen followed by a 27-yard field goal from Ethan Brumgard to cut the margin to four at the 12:57 mark. Brumgard added a second field goal to start the final frame at the 14:18 mark to make it a 14-13 contest.

The Cowboys got the ball back down to the red zone with eight minutes remaining before missing a field goal. The Cru saw two first downs but were soon forced to punt with 3:33 on the clock, giving Hardin-Simmons the ball on the nine-yard line. UMHB’s defense continued to hold the Cowboys, forcing a turnover on downs at the HSU six-yard line. The Cru added an insurance 29-yard field goal from Edwin Lopez with 1:31 left before a final Durand Hill interception secured the 17-13 win.

Jake Wright threw 14-for-20 for 109 yards with a 26 long. Jerry Day, Jr. led the Cru in receiving with 50 yards while Asa Osbourn led with 62 rushing yards. Durand Hill led the UMHB defense with 12 total tackles including nine solo and four tackles for a loss of 12 yards. The Cru recorded seven sacks, led by Hill with two for eight lost yards. Mason Cavness also added a sack for 17-yards while Justin Hines-Moore tacked on a sack for 10-yards.

Hardin-Simmons closed their season with a 10-1 overall record. UMHB moved to 7-3 on the season and will advance to the NCAA Third Round to take on the winner of Texas Lutheran and Linfield.