Crusaders Take Home American Southwest Conference Championship
By Marley Anthony, Assistant Editor
The UMHB Crusaders took home the American Southwest Conference Championship title after winning 13-3 against the Hardin-Simmons University Cowboys at Crusader Stadium on Nov. 14.
Beyond craving a championship title and the ongoing rivalry, the Crusaders and Cowboys took the field with high energy, both coming off of a win the previous week.
The first half had a slow but competitive start, ending with a Crusader lead of 6-3. Kicker No. 60 Dax Dunham scored a 34-yard and 23-yard field goal in the first and second quarter.
“The simpler you are, the better you are…both defenses are too good,” Football Head Coach Larry Harmon said.
Coming into the second half of the game, the energy was consistent, with both teams fighting for the win. The score remained 6-3 by the end of the third quarter.
The Crusaders found their rhythm and executed an exciting fourth quarter. With 10 minutes left, wide receiver No. 0 BJ Stewart scored the Crusaders first touchdown by completing a 29-yard pass from quarterback No. 14 Carson Horton. After a successful kick from Dunham, the Crusaders raised the score to 13-3.
Safety No. 9 Joey Johnson intercepted a pass from the Cowboys with two minutes left in the game, giving the Crusaders possession and leading to the Crusader win.
“After the game, I told [the UMHB football team], we didn’t come this far just for this,” Harmon said. “Students come to our program to…make a run at the big trophy.”
This is the Crusaders 20th ASC Championship title, with the last win coming in 2025 against Howard Payne University.
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