Small College Recap: Cru moves on, Texans heading home

CRU MOVING ON

Using an opportunistic defense, No. 2 Mary Hardin-Baylor scored a thrilling 21-18 victory over No. 5 Saint John’s (Minn.) in the NCAA DIII national quarterfinals in Belton. The Crusaders move on to the national semifinals next Saturday against No. 4 Wisconsin-Whitewater at a site and time to be determined by the NCAA DIII playoff committee on Sunday. Saint John’s trailed the entire game but came up with a huge blocked punt that gave them the ball at the Crusaders six-yard line with 1:54 remaining in the game and trailing 21-11. A touchdown followed on the next play as Will Gillach caught a six-yard touchdown pass to pull Saint John’s within 21-18 with 1:49 left in the game. Saint John’s recovered the ensuing onside kick and drove down the field before their third interception of the game ended their upset hopes.