Saturday's game marks the opening night of the 2013 season for both teams. The Bulldogs look forward to playing in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd among the fans at Rah Rah Redlands.
After going 6-3 and finishing second in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) for the third season in a row, the Bulldog football team embarks upon its continued quest of "going from good to great." The Bulldogs play a nine-game schedule that includes tonight's non-conference tilt as well as a trip to Tacoma, Wash., for a rematch with the Lutes of Pacific Lutheran University on Sept. 21. Under Head Coach Mike Maynard, Redlands has advanced to the NCAA Division III Championships on six occasions, with its last opportunity coming in 2011 against tonight's foes.
Equipped with a No. 3 national ranking, the UMHB Crusaders kick off their 2013 season by visiting Ted Runner Stadium for the first time. In addition, this marks the Crusaders' first contest played in the state of California and opens a two-game, coast-to-coast road swing to start the year. Last season, Mary Hardin-Baylor put together an impressive 13-1 overall record and won the American Southwest Conference (ASC) title with an undefeated mark. The Cru advanced to the NCAA Division III National Semifinals en route to tying the school and conference record with 13 victories.
THE BULLDOGS
Top Dawgs: Redlands returns a hearty and hungry crew of competitors that includes senior All-American kicker Kevin Grady as well as senior D3football.com All-West Region wide receiver Taylor Irwin. The Bulldogs also hold high hopes for its returning All-SCIAC selections in senior defensive linemen Steven Locke Jr. and Daniel Kane, as well as senior defensive back Brandon Morris and senior tight end Daryl Andersen.
Hungry for More: The Bulldogs look forward to Saturday's rematch with the Crusaders after suffering a 13-34 defeat to UMHB in the first round of the 2011 NCAA Division III Championships.
Team Captains: The Maroon and Gray announced its senior captains for the 2013 campaign late last week. Upon completion of the 2012 season, defensive back Nick Kido and wide receiver Taylor Irwin received the leadership nod from their teammates. During preseason camp, the Bulldogs also named tight end Daryl Andersen and defensive lineman Daniel Kane as their two final captains for the season. This honor comes with a great deal of responsibility, knowledge, and expectations for guiding the team.
Did you know? Senior tight end and captain Daryl Andersen is a husband and father of four. He also runs his own construction company. Although Andersen is not your prototypical Bulldog student-athlete, he has managed the demands of life responsibilities, academics, and football with amazing poise, determination, and organization.
At the Helm: Entering his 26th year with the Bulldogs, Head Coach Mike Maynard consistently establishes himself as one of the top, small-college coaches in the West Region, if not the entire nation. His teams have posted an overall winning percentage of .684 (as of 2012), which includes an impressive .781 mark in SCIAC play while winning 10 championships. Maynard continues to build on the pride and tradition of Bulldog football, including six NCAA playoff appearances. During his tenure, he has coached multiple All-Americans, All-SCIAC honorees, and academic standouts.
During the spring of 2005, Maynard was inducted into the Bulldog Bench Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame at the University of Redlands. In addition, he earned the prestigious University of Redlands Frank J. Rice Memorial Award for Community Service in 1999. The All-American Football Foundation honored Maynard with the Johnny Vaught Head Coach Award in 2007. Just two years later, he was voted the "top athlete to ever grace the halls of Farmer City High School."
Bulldog Football in Action
Last Game: none
This Week's Game: vs. No. 3 Mary Hardin-Baylor at 7 p.m. in Ted Runner Stadium
Next Game: at Pacific Lutheran University (WA) on September 21 at 12:30 p.m.
THE CRUSADERS
Cru's Crew: Last year, UMHB relied on a run-heavy offense, with a three-headed attack carrying the bulk of its 4000+ yards on the ground. However, the only returnee from this group is senior halfback Elijah Hudson. The Cru's play-caller also graduated, leaving back-up quarterback Jake Sims as a likely suspect for 2013. UMHB welcomes back junior wide receiver Caleb Moore, the No. 2 target for the 2012 squad. However, Saturday's two-deep lists him among the running backs. Senior defensive lineman Silvio Diaz heads up the UMHB defense as a returning Third-Team All-American.
At the Helm: UMHB Head Coach Pete Fredenburg was named the NCAA Division III Region III Coach of the Year by the AFCA in 2012. Equipped with a record of 146-33, he has served as the Cru's only head coach during the program's 15-year history. In addition to leading UMHB to 11 NCAA Division III Championship appearances during his tenure, he has guided the Cru to winning or sharing 10 ASC championships.
Team Captains: Senior defensive lineman Silvio Diaz, senor defensive back Brodrick Crain, and senior halfback Elijah Hudson are serving as the Crusaders' captains for 2013. A fourth honorary captain will likely take the field during the coin flip.
Crusaders in Action
Last Game: none
This Week's Game: at the University of Redlands at 7 p.m. in Ted Runner Stadium
Next Game: at Kean University (NJ) on Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. EST
LAST MEETING
These teams are not too familiar with each other, having met just once previously. In 2011, the Bulldogs traveled to Belton, TX, for the first round of the NCAA Division III Championships. At the time, the Cru held a national ranking of No. 3, which is the same as its current accolade.
This is the first of a two-game agreement between the teams. In 2014, Redlands returns to Belton on Sept. 13 for an evening kick-off against the Crusaders.
SERIES HISTORY
UMHB holds a slight advantage after earning a 34-13 victory over the Bulldogs on Nov. 19, 2011.
