Venue & Game Details
Location: Crusader Stadium – Belton, Texas
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. CDT
Event Theme: Family Weekend & Hometown Heroes Night
Broadcast: Local/stream via UMHB Athletics; live stats available
Capacity: ~7,800
Weather Forecast (Belton, TX – Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly clear skies
Temperature: ~86°F (30°C) at kickoff, cooling into the low 80s by halftime
Wind: SSE at 5–8 mph
Precipitation: <10%
Impact: Warm but not oppressive; minimal weather effect on passing or kicking
Injury Report
Bethel Wildcats
No major injuries reported after preseason camp
Returning key offensive starters from 2024, including QB and RB1 who were pivotal in last year’s win over UMHB
Mary Hardin‑Baylor Crusaders
No confirmed absences entering the opener
Several returning All‑ASC selections, including starting QB and top WR
Recent Form (Last 5 Games – 2024 Season)
Bethel
W @ UMHB 20‑10
W vs. Thomas 35‑0
W @ Bluefield 49‑7
L @ Georgetown (Ky.) 24‑3
W vs. Faulkner 56‑0
Mary Hardin‑Baylor
L @ Johns Hopkins 17‑10 (NCAA Playoffs)
W @ Linfield 28‑18
W @ Hardin‑Simmons 17‑13
W @ Trinity (TX) 29‑22
W vs. Howard Payne 63‑7
Key Player Matchups
Bethel QB vs. UMHB Secondary
Bethel’s QB was efficient and turnover‑free in last year’s meeting; UMHB’s DBs must create takeaways.
Bethel RB1 vs. UMHB Front Seven
Physical runner who wore down the Crusaders in 2024; UMHB’s linebackers need to win early downs.
UMHB QB vs. Bethel Pass Rush
UMHB’s veteran QB must handle Bethel’s pressure packages; Wildcats led NAIA in TFL rate last season.
UMHB WR1 vs. Bethel CB1
Deep threat vs. physical press coverage — could decide explosive play margin.
Series History
All-Time: Bethel leads 1‑0
Only Meeting: Sept. 7, 2024 — Bethel 20, UMHB 10 in Belton, TX (considered a major upset; UMHB was ranked in the DIII Top 10)
Betting Trends
Bethel: 5‑1 SU in last 6 non‑conference games; 4‑2 ATS in last 6 as underdog
UMHB: 12‑2 SU in last 14 home openers, but one of those losses was to Bethel in 2024
Under has hit in 4 of UMHB’s last 6 games
Game Odds
Bethel (TN) Wildcats 48.5
Mary Hardin‑Baylor Crusaders – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
