Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM ET
Venue: Meares Stadium, Mars Hill University, Mars Hill, North Carolina
Event Theme: Family Weekend
Forecast: Sunny skies, high of 71°F, winds 6–8 mph from the northwest, 0% chance of precipitation
Team Overview & Recent Form
Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders
Record: 1–1 overall
Last 2 Games (2025):
W vs. Bethel (TN): 30–23
L vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater: 6–26
Points For / Against: 36 PF / 49 PA
Streak: L1
Conference: American Southwest Conference (ASC)
Offensive Highlights:
QB play has been efficient but struggled against ranked defenses
Defense allowed 400+ yards vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater
Mars Hill Lions
Record: 2–1 overall
Last 3 Games (2025):
W vs. Winston-Salem State: 28–25
L vs. Anderson (SC): 14–21
W vs. Carson-Newman: 35–21
Points For / Against: 77 PF / 66 PA
Streak: W1
Conference: South Atlantic Conference (SAC)
Offensive Highlights:
Balanced scoring attack with 9 total TDs
Defense forced 4 turnovers in last 2 games
Series History
All-Time Meetings: First-ever matchup between the two programs
Historical Note: Rare ASC vs. SAC crossover game, offering a unique interconference test
Injury Report
Mary Hardin-Baylor:
WR2 listed as questionable (hamstring)
LB1 probable after concussion protocol
Mars Hill:
RB1 questionable (ankle sprain)
CB2 probable (shoulder)
Key Matchups to Watch
Mars Hill QB vs. UMHB Secondary:
Lions’ quarterback has thrown for 5 TDs and 600+ yards. UMHB’s secondary allowed 3 passing TDs vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater.
UMHB Offensive Line vs. Mars Hill Pass Rush:
Crusaders allowed 4 sacks last week. Mars Hill’s front seven has 6 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in last two games.
Turnover Margin:
Mars Hill is +3 in turnover differential; UMHB is even. Ball control could swing momentum.
Betting Trends:
UMHB is 5–2 ATS in last 7 road games
Mars Hill is 4–1 ATS in last 5 home games
Over has hit in 2 of Mars Hill’s last 3 games
First-ever meeting, no head-to-head trends
Historical Betting Results
Sep 20, 2025:
Mary Hardin-Baylor 6, Wisconsin-Whitewater 26
Spread: UMHB +7.5 → Did not cover
Total: 47.5 → Under hit
Sep 6, 2025:
Mary Hardin-Baylor 30, Bethel (TN) 23
Spread: UMHB -3.5 → Covered
Total: 53.0 → Over hit
Sep 20, 2025:
Mars Hill 14, Anderson (SC) 21
Spread: Mars Hill +2.5 → Did not cover
Total: 45.0 → Under hit
Game Odds
Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders – 2.5
Mars Hill Mountain Lions 48.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
