For the second time in the first three weeks of the season, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football team has swept the American Southwest Conference Player of the Week awards. Three Crusaders were honored for their performances in UMHB’s 66-27 victory over 3rd-ranked Linfield College on Saturday, matching the feat first accomplished after a 56-0 win over Ohio Wesleyan in the season opener.
Quarterback Blake Jackson took ASC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the third straight week. Jackson, a senior from Dobie High School, threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns and added 98 rushing yards and another touchdown. He guided an offense that rolled up 552 yards of total offense in the victory.
Linebacker Baylor Mullins was named ASC Defensive Player of the Week. Mullins, a senior from Merkel High School, returned a third quarter interception for a touchdown to give UMHB a 38-20 lead. He added five solo tackles and seven total stops in leading a defense that held the Wildcats to one yard rushing and 348 yards of total offense.
Kick returner Bryce Wilkerson claimed ASC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season. Wilkerson returned the opening kickoff of the second half 97 yards for a touchdown to change momentum in the game after Linfield had cut the Cru lead to 24-20 at the half. Wilkerson finished with 125 return yards on two kickoffs, returned two punts for nine yards, added three receptions for 24 yards and had five rushing yards in the contest.
The Cru is 3-0 on the season after the win over the Wildcats. UMHB will have an open week this Saturday before opening ASC play with a 1:00 PM home game against McMurry University on October 1st.
