BELTON, Texas – The 14th-ranked Trinity football team fell short in a 13-3 defeat at the hands of second-ranked University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Saturday's NCAA First Round Playoff game at Crusader Stadium.

Trinity got on the board with a field goal in the first quarter and the two teams were locked in a 3-3 tie at the half. The Tigers were blanked in the second half, though, and the Crusaders broke away with a late touchdown to seal the win.

Caleb Harmel (Burton, Texas / Burton) had a career-high 16 tackles in the loss, leading a Trinity defense that allowed just 13 points to the nation's third-ranked scoring offense that was averaging nearly 55 points per game this year.

Winston Hutchison (Round Rock, Texas / McNeil) led the offense with 63 yards from scrimmage, including a 36-yard reception that set up the team's only score midway through the first quarter.

The Tigers fall to 4-6 all-time against Mary Hardin-Baylor, including a 2-4 record in the NCAA Playoffs. The loss ends the 2021 season for Trinity, which finishes 9-1 overall after having its 10-game winning streak snapped.

The Rundown

Trinity stalled near midfield on the first possession of the game and Mary Hardin-Baylor got a nice punt return to set up good field position. Just two plays into the drive, though, Trey King (Round Rock, Texas / Round Rock) picked off a pass at the Trinity 30 to give the ball back to the Tigers.

The Tigers got a key conversion on 3rd-and-6 as Tucker Horn (Graham, Texas / Graham) hit Chris Stewart (The Woodlands, Texas / The Woodlands) for a 14-yard gain near midfield. Two plays later Horn hit Hutchison out of the backfield for a 36-yard gain that set Trinity up inside the 15 yard line. Stewart got a key block on the outside to spring Hutchison for the big gain. Trinity's offense stalled there and the Tigers settled for a 28-yard field goal by Blake Lin (Tyler, Texas / All Saints) to lead 3-0 with 6:23 left in the quarter.

The ensuing kickoff was short and nearly recovered by Trinity, but the Crusaders took over at the 15 yard line after a penalty. Mary Hardin-Baylor drove into Tiger territory once again, but a third-down stop by Trinity forced a punt. The Crusaders bounced the punt inside the 10 and was downed at the one yard line to back up the Tiger offense.

Trinity was unable to move the ball initially and was forced to punt, but the Crusaders fumbled on the return and the Tigers took over at the UMHB 43 just before the end of the quarter. Trinity wasn't able to take advantage of the turnover this time, though, as the home team defense held.

Mary Hardin-Baylor got another strong return to set up the offense, but after converting on fourth-and-short, the Crusaders were forced to punt as well. In what would be a theme all game long, UMHB played the field position game and pinned Trinity at its own 10.

The Tigers got a first down to avoid the quick three-and-out, then Eli Gehman (Cedar Park, Texas / Leander) booted a 51-yard punt and the return defense forced a negative return to flip the field at the UMHB 30 yard line.

Mary Hardin-Baylor put together its best drive of the half, but Trinity's defense stiffened around the 25 yard line, and UMHB was forced to settle for a 42-yard field goal to tie the game. The 11-play drive covered 45 yards and ate up nearly five minutes on the clock. The Crusaders tied the game 3-3 with under a minute left in the half.

Trinity completed two quick passes for 32 yards to drive inside the 40 in the final minute, but Horn was flushed from the pocket two plays later and threw his second interception of the season. The Crusaders completed a 30-yard play on a drive that started with just 20 seconds left, eventually setting up another 42-yard field goal. This time the kick missed wide left as time expired and the game remained tied heading into the locker room.

After forcing UMHB to go three-and-out, Trinity also stalled on offense. The Tigers converted a fake punt near midfield, but didn't take advantage of the momentum and were forced to punt.

Mary Hardin-Baylor converted a pair of third downs on its next drive and ended up with 1st-and-goal from the eight. King broke up a potential touchdown on second down, then Campbell Miller (Tyler, Texas / Robert E. Lee) had a key sack to force a field goal attempt. UMHB converted the 33-yard kick to take a 6-3 lead with 4:09 left in the third quarter.

Trinity drove past midfield on its next drive, but a 10-yard sack interrupted the drive and the Tigers failed on a 4th-and-9 early in the final quarter. Trinity's defense gave up very little on the ensuing drive, but UMHB pinned the Tigers back at their own 11 with just under 12 minutes left in the game.

Trinity started with a loss on the first play and never recovered. Horn threw his second interception of the day on third down and UMHB took over at the Tiger 27. The Tiger defense held strong, though, and a 41-yard field goal attempt missed wide right to keep it a 6-3 game.

A quick punt for Trinity was followed by the same for Mary Hardin-Baylor, but the Crusaders pinned Trinity inside the five yard line with less than six minutes remaining. That special teams play proved to be key to the final result, as the Tigers were once again forced to punt from deep in their own end and UMHB began its drive at the Trinity 39.

The Tiger defense held the Crusaders to a field goal, but Trinity was offsides to make it 4th-and-1 for Mary Hardin-Baylor. The home team decided to go for it from the 17 and broke free through the middle for a game-sealing touchdown, taking a 13-3 lead with just 2:05 remaining in the contest. Trinity was unable to move the ball on its final drive and UMHB held on for the victory.

Numbers to Note

Hutchison finished with 26 yards rushing on 16 carries, as well as catching five passes for 47 yards that included 34 yards after the catch.

Ryan Merrifield (Austin, Texas / Vandergrift) led the Tigers with five receptions for 58 yards, while Stewart and Austin Bertness (Richmond, Texas / Travis) had four receptions each. Stewart finished with 49 yards receiving to go with 27 yards in punt/kick returns.

Stewart's five receptions push him past Bill Hodge (1969-72) for seventh on Trinity's career list.

Coach Speak

Head Coach Jerheme Urban spoke at the postgame press conference, alongside Horn and Harmel: Watch

Looking Ahead

Trinity is scheduled to open up the 2022 season at home against Sul Ross State University, on Saturday, September 3. The full schedule will be released in the spring.