MARSHALL, Texas - In what will be the final game of the 2018 season, the East Texas Baptist University football team will head back to Ornelas Stadium to take on the #2 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders. It will also be senior day as ETBU will be honoring 20 seniors for their outstanding careers in a Tiger uniform.
 
Last week, ETBU took care of business against McMurry University with a 62-7 win over the War Hawks. Compiling 793 yards of offense, ETBU was led by 292 passing yards and four touchdown throws from Brian Baca, who also finished as the game's leading rusher with 144 yards on 18 carries. This performance would garner Baca another ASC Offensive Player of the Week award. Jeremiah Robertson was the top rusher with three touchdown runs on 109 yards rushing while Richard Johnson caught seven passes for 160 yards, including a touchdown reception. On defense, Zack Walker tallied a team-high seven tackles while Derick Holt had an interception.
 
With the win over McM, ETBU is guaranteed a fourth straight winning season as they are now 6-3 overall and 6-2 in the ASC conference. Averaging 535.6 yards per game, ETBU still possesses one of the nation's best offenses by averaging 44.8 points per game while holding opponents down to 29.2 ppg. Baca has thrown for 2609 yards and 28 touchdowns. Johnson is 85 yards away from reaching 1,000 yards for the second straight season while catching 11 touchdowns. Defensively, Garrett Gibson remains ETBU's leader with 70 tackles while Walker has four sacks on the season.
 
This week, ETBU will face their toughest test as they welcome #2 UMHB, who are fresh off two straight national title game appearances. Since becoming a program, ETBU has only one win all-time against the Crusaders back in 2003 when they defeated UMHB 28-21 in overtime. Last season saw ETBU play UMHB tough through three quarters before ultimately falling 31-21 in Belton.
 
Undefeated after an 80-7 win over Louisiana College last week, UMHB is averaging 63.7 ppg while holding opponents to 5.4 ppg. Jase Hammock has thrown 1355 yards and 12 touchdowns to guide the offense while Markeith Miller has rushed for 1128 yards and 19 touchdowns. Both Jonel Reed (413) and T.J Josey (399 yards) have caught six touchdown passes. On defense, Joey Longoria is tied for first with 39 sacks while leading with 11 tackles for loss including seven sacks. Jefferson Fritz is expecting to be tough in the secondary as he maintains six interceptions on the season with one returned for a touchdown.
 
"It's a David and Goliath story," said Coach Mayper. "UMHB has tremendous players and they play hard defensively and on special teams. They do a tremendous job scoring offensively. For us, it's just about taking care of business. We've built momentum up to this point. The guys know how close it was last year. We just got to play mistake free. If we play mistake free and create some turnovers, we'll have a really good shot."
 
ETBU will also be having their senior day with 20 players being honored, including the late Tre Harrison and D.J. McClintock, who both passed away in April 2016 and would have been a part of this class.
 
Kickoff for ETBU is at 2:00 PM on Saturday.