Game Notes | Live Audio / Video

ABILENE, Texas – Hal Mumme said that McMurry University's win over NCAA Division I FCS UT-San Antonio Saturday was the first time since his arrival in 2009 that his team has defeated a team it wasn't supposed to beat. The War Hawks will want to continue that new trend in a big way in Belton Saturday when they face the No. 3-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders at 6 p.m.

Mumme scheduled two NCAA Division I FCS opponents to start the 2011 season on the heels of McMurry's first winning season since 2000 last year at 6-4. The idea: Prepare McMurry for conference play.

In 2010, the War Hawks scheduled two NAIA teams in Bacone College and Texas College, which McMurry promptly responded with two victories by a combined score 104-6. In week three, McMurry nearly pulled off the improbable last year falling to UMHB 43-31 at home.

The 12-point loss came after McMurry spotted the Crusaders 22 points to begin the game. Mumme said later that McMurry wasn't prepared for the speed of the game. For War Hawks fans, hopefully the brutal non-conference schedule which included an 82-6 loss to Stephen F. Austin and a 24-21 upset win over UTSA pays off Saturday.

“They have a great program, they've been in the top five forever. I think we know everything there is to no about them and they know all there is to know about us,” said Mumme. “It'll be a great ball game, and hopefully we'll play with a lot of heart and determination.”

The Crusaders defeated Wisconsin-La Crosse Saturday in Belton 27-20 in the team's only game thus far. American Southwest Conference play begins for both teams, and a crucial game at what could decide the eventual league champion. UMHB and McMurry were picked No. 1 and No. 2 in the preseason league poll.

Redshirt freshman Chris Williams, who was named the ASC's Special Teams Player of the Week Monday for his performance against UTSA, said that the team needs to be grounded after the high of defeating the Roadrunners at the Alamodome in front of 31,674 fans.

“I think the most important thing is to not everybody feel like we've done something. All of our goals are still in front of us,” he said. “We won one of our first two games and we have a chance to start off conference and knock off another top opponent.”

To knock off UMHB, McMurry will have to erase a 10-game losing skid to the Crusaders, which began in the 2001 season. McMurry's last win over the Cru came in 1999 when UMHB was a second-year program. Since then, UMHB head coach Pete Fredenberg has compiled a 122-32 record, won six-straight ASC titles and has made nine consecutive trips to the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Mumme said the team hasn't spent a lot of time talking about the caliber of UMHB's program.

“I think the kids learned a lot last week. In the last two weeks; they've seen feast and they've seen famine,” he said. “I have 23 seniors I don't have to tell them about Mary Hardin-Baylor.”

Traditionally, UMHB is a ground-game power, and the Crusaders are known for it. Last week, the team rushed for 220 yards, but also senior quarterback LiDarrall Bailey threw for a career-high 281 passing yards.

Williams echoed Mumme's instruction saying that this year's focus was on his own team and the potential that McMurry has.

“I think all the guys can settle down now; we know how good we can be. It's weird to say but I don't think we played to our potential this past week [vs. UTSA],” he said. “I feel like we can get a lot better in the small things and a lot of aspects of the game.”

McMurry quarterback Jake Mullin hung 498 passing yards against the Crusaders last season, which set a single-game school record. Mullin was held in check against SFA, but exploded for 371 yards through the air against UTSA last week. With UMHB keying on the pass, McMurry will need to get its running game going; the War Hawks have 32 combined rushing yards in two games this season.

However, Saturday marks the first time the team will face a non-scholarship defense. Although, this particular Division III defense has locked down the run in the ASC for years leading the league in rushing defense every season since 2000. In fact, during that run, UMHB has only allowed an average of more than 100 yards per game once in 2004 at 100.1 yards per contest.

Other than the passing game, McMurry has excelled thus far in 2011 using Mullin as the primary punter. The War Hawks lead the nation in net punting average at 50.2 yards per try. McMurry lines up on fourth down in a normal shotgun formation and Mullin either takes a couple of steps back and punts, or punts from his normal position. This keeps opponents from sending a return man deep and McMurry has capitalized on field position, which could be important Saturday.

McMurry fans can listen locally on 1560 AM KZQQ with pregame starting at 5:45 p.m. or tune in to the online video / audio broadcast at mcmurrysports.com/showcase.