No. 8 Linfield (9-1) at No. 1 Mary Hardin-Baylor (11-0)
NCAA Division III Playoffs, Second Round
10 a.m. PST, Saturday, Nov. 25, Belton, Texas
 
Meeting for the sixth time since 2014 and fourth time in the last two seasons, Linfield makes the 2,067-mile trip to Belton, Texas, to square off against reigning national champion Mary Hardin-Baylor in the second round of the NCAA Division III football playoffs.  
 
Scoring an upset of fifth-ranked Hardin-Simmons last Saturday, No. 8 Linfield earned a rematch with national nemesis UMHB, which easily handled Chapman in the first round of the playoffs 50-6 in Belton.
 
UMHB has not lost a game this season though have been threatened at times by Sul Ross State, Hardin-Simmons, East Texas Baptist and Linfield. With its only defeat coming to UMHB in Week 2, Linfield is can earn a huge measure of validation this Saturday with a victory over the top-ranked Cru.
 
THE DETAILS
Kevin Nelson and Dave Hansen provide play-by-play coverage of Linfield football. Listen on TruTalk 800 KPDQ-AM for pregame coverage with host John Lee starting at 9:30 a.m. PST. Simulcast coverage throughout the McMinnville area starts on Linfield campus station KSLC 90.3 FM at 9:45 a.m.
 
WATCH THE GAME LIVE IN McMINNVILLE
Fans in the local area are invited to gather Saturday to watch the game at the IMAX Theatre at Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. Admission is free of charge. The address is 500 Northeast Captain Michael King Smith Way in McMinnville.

HOME RUN OFFENSE
 
CRUSADERS
With great speed and playmakers at every skill position, UMHB features a big-play offense. Though its hard for fans to remember the Cru sustaining long drives and working time off the clock, long-yardage plays have been the Wildcats' undoing in the last three meetings.  The Cru have scored four touchdowns spanning 74 yards or more in those three games against the Wildcats.
 
Since losing walking-highlight reel Blake Jackson to graduation, the search for a new quarterback has been an ongoing project for the Cru. Expect to see both Carl Robinson III and Kyle Jones taking snaps for UMHB on Saturday. When Linfield and UMHB met in September, converted receiver T.J. Josey was the Cru signal caller. Since then, UMHB has wanted to establish a more consistent passing game. Jones has thrown for 1,162 yards in his four starts while Robinson III has racked up 840 in three starts. Both can scramble and combine for 139 yards on the ground. Robinson III is expected to start on Saturday.
 
A third team D3football.com All-America selection in 2016, star running back Markeith Miller will be a major concern for Wildcats. In his three starts versus Linfield, Miller has run the ball 43 times for 351 yards and three touchdowns. With 886 yards and 13 touchdowns, Miller averages 80.5 yards per game on the ground. A threat in the passing game, Miller also has 11 catches for 59 yards. After Miller comes Marquis Duncan who has carried the ball just 23 times for 171 yards and one score.
 
One of the top receivers at the Division III level, Bryce Wilkerson is enjoying another incredible season statistically. With 49 catches for 549 yards and five touchdowns, the Cru focuses on getting him the ball creatively and as often as possible. Wilkerson is also the Cru's leading returner on both kickoffs and punts where he was scored four TDs. Josey has switched back to his natural position of receiver, collecting 29 catches for 677 yards and seven touchdowns. Keep an eye out as well for receivers DeNerian Thomas, Jonel Reed and Isaiah Towns.
 
Though unranked in national statistics, UMHB fields a dynamic offense with a blur of moving parts and terrific athletes. No team can match the pure talent that the Cru feature on a weekly basis. Linfield will look slow this offense by taking care of the football and forcing UMHB into uncomfortable situations. 
 
WILDCATS
What's not to like about the Linfield offense these days? Since turning the keys to the offense over to freshman quarterback Wyatt Smith in the final quarter of the season, Linfield has found new confidence when it has the ball.
 
In his three career starts, Smith has completed 63 percent of his passes, throwing for 732 yards and six touchdowns against only two interceptions. The freshman's poise and decision making have helped the Wildcat offense average 374 yards and 28 points a game in its last three outings. Smith's presence has been felt across the board as the Wildcats are playing their best football of the season.
 
Coming off one of his finest games as a Wildcat, tailback Chidubem Nnoli continues to be the dependable backfield workhorse. With 33 carries for 150 yards against HSU, Nnoli danced behind an offensive line that paved the way to 4.6 yards per carry for Nnoli. With 1,014 yards this season, became just the 11th Linfield ball carrier to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season. Nnoli needs 15 yards and surpass Leo Sloan (1029, in 1978) and earn a spot among the top-10.
 
Linfield will need its skillful set of receivers to attack the UMHB defenders head on. J.D. Lasswell and Kyle Kimball are expected to fuel the passing attack in addition to Khory Day and Keegan Weiss. Drew Accimus and Jacob Calo should see targets in the game as well.
 
 
NATION'S BEST
 
CRUSADERS
Perhaps the best defense in the nation, UMHB ranks in the top five of nearly every team defensive statistical category. The Cru allow 216 yards per game (4th in NCAA Division III), 171 yards passing, 45.3 yards rushing (3rd NCAA) and just eight points per game (best in NCAA). It's tough to find an area where the Cru are at a disadvantage defensively. UMHB takes pride in forcing teams into third-and-long situations where their hard-hitting secondary and smash-mouth pass rush are at their best.  
 
Historically, most dominant defenses have an All-America-caliber linebacker or two. That's the case for the Cru as they are led by linebackers Tevin Jones and Jalen Martin. Impressive in pass coverage and impenetrable against the run, Jones has star power to be named the national defensive player of the year. Leading the team with 87 tackles, four pass breakups, 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble, Jones will likely be all over the field on Saturday. Martin missed some time, starting in only seven of the team's 11 games, but nonetheless recorded 42 tackles and broke up four passes. 
 
Star cornerback Kris Brown has shined all season. With 47 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and eight passes defended, Brown is one of the nation's best at his position. Linfield wide receivers will have a difficult time downfield against the 5-foot-10, 175-pound speedster.
 
With 31 sacks as a team, it's hard to pinpoint only one of UMHB's massive interior defenders. The largest of the bunch, Haston Adams, checks in at 6-5 295 pounds. The plug for the UMHB defense has four sacks and a team-high 16 tackles for loss to go along with 31 total tackles. After Adams, Ajay Fanene is potentially the most dangerous down lineman. Fanene checks in at 6-2, 280 pounds, and leads the team with seven sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.
 
You won't find a better defense at the Division III level. UMHB suffocated the Linfield offense in September, holding the 'Cats to just 141 yards and three points. Despite not turning the ball over to the Cru, Linfield was harassed by UMHB up front. Could the same happen again?
 
 
WILDCATS
Continuing to raise eyebrows with their timely takeaways and constant pressure, the Linfield defense remains at the top of its game. "They've been on fire since week one," coach Joseph Smith said of his defense after the 'Cats nearly blanked Hardin-Simmons last week.
 
Linfield's defense has played nearly perfect football the last three weeks and is ranked among top 18 nationally in nearly every statistical category. The Wildcats allow 231 yards per game (8th), 147 yards passing (16th) 83 yards rushing (18th) and 10.9 points per game (8th).
 
Similar to UMHB, Linfield's linebacker corps is perhaps its most talented group. Jason Farlow, Jake Reimer and Mitchell Kekel continue to blanket the middle of the field in both the running game and the passing attack. Look for Patrick Pipitone to add to the mix on Saturday as well. Reimer led the team in tackles last week versus Hardin-Simmons with seven.
 
Having the best season of his Linfield career, rover Wade Ransom had another stellar game a weekend ago. His six tackles and game-clinching interception versus the Cowboys helped the Wildcats advance to the second round of the post-season.  
 
Linfield's defensive front hounded Cowboys quarterback Landry Turner. The redshirt freshman was only sacked twice but never comfortable against the Wildcats' persistent pressure. Marcus McGovern, Jake Handran, Asa Schwartz and Zach Grate will be challenged against UMHB's massive offensive line but should find ways to penetrate the UMHB backfield.
 
With a point of emphasis on limiting big plays, the Wildcat defense must grind this game out by forcing the Cru into long third-down plays, and getting the ball back to the 'Cats offense with a short field. If any defense is capable, it's this one.
 
OVERALL
Some strange elements come into play. The usually packed Crusader Stadium will have more empty seats than for a typical home playoff game. That's because the game lands on the back end of Thanksgiving break and a majority of UMHB students will not be on campus. UMHB's last loss was 21 games ago against the Wildcats in McMinnville in the NCAA quarterfinals. With momentum on their side, the 'Cats appear capable of ending the Cru's incredible winning streak.
 
Two defenses that are boiling hot and playing their best football are set to meet and take on confusing offenses are still discovering their true identity. Expect big hits, few scoring opportunities and potentially short fields for offenses to work with.  
 
The storied series between UMHB and Linfield continues in a rivalry that's been intensified by the NCAA and its financial geography restraints on the Division III bracket. What's not to like when these two teams getting together? The winning team could be in position to take its talents all the way to the Stagg Bowl in Salem, Va. Not many second-round matchups can make such a claim.  
 
PLAYOFF HISTORY
Linfield is making its 29th national playoff appearance and is in the NCAA Division III playoffs for the ninth straight season This is Linfield's 14th appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs; the Wildcats also made 12 appearances in the NAIA Division II playoffs and three in the NAIA playoffs when it was a single division. In all, Linfield now has a 42-24 record in national playoff games (26-12 NCAA Division III, 14-9 NAIA Division II, 2-3 NAIA) … including 2017, Linfield has won its last 13 playoff openers; its last loss in an opener was in the Wildcats' first NCAA Division III appearance in 2000, 20-17 in overtime at home against Central.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE
Linfield has won four national championships: 1982, 1984, 1986 (all NAIA Division II) and 2004 (NCAA Division III). The Wildcats have played in three more national championship games: 1961, 1965 (both NAIA) and 1992 (NAIA Division II) … counting this season, Linfield has won at least one game in 21 of its 29 national playoff appearances … in national playoff games, Linfield is 35-7 at home, 5-14 on the road, and 2-3 on neutral fields … starting with its first NCAA Division III appearance in 2000, Linfield is 21-4 at home, 3-8 on the road and 2-0 on neutral fields … Linfield is 1-3 in overtime games in the national playoffs … in addition to the national playoffs, Linfield has three additional postseason appearances, reaching the Oregon Bowl for the NAIA District 2 championship and going 1-2 (1976, 49-28 loss at Oregon College of Education [now Western Oregon]; 1979, 43-27 loss vs. OCE at home; 1981, 10-7 win at Oregon Tech).
 
MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR SERIES HISTORY
Linfield has an all-time record against Mary Hardin-Baylor of 4-3 in a series dating back to 2004, when the Wildcats took a 28-21 win in the Stagg Bowl to win the NCAA Division III national championship … UMHB has won the last three games, including earlier this season by a score of 24-3 in McMinnville on September 16 … last season, UMHB won a pair of games in Belton, Texas, beating Linfield 66-27 in the regular season and 27-10 in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs. The 66 points was the second-most ever scored against Linfield, trailing only a 71-0 loss at Whitman in 1929. Those were the Wildcats' only losses of the 2016 season … the first four meetings had all been in the NCAA Division III playoffs. In addition to the 2004 Stagg Bowl, the Wildcats won 53-21 in the 2009 second round in McMinnville, 31-28 in the 2015 second round in Belton and 38-35 in the 2016 quarterfinals in McMinnville.
 
LONE STAR LEDGER
Against teams from Texas, Linfield has an all-time record of 11-6. In addition to the games against Mary Hardin-Baylor, Linfield is 6-2 against Hardin-Simmons, 1-0 against Sul Ross State and 0-1 against Texas Lutheran … against Hardin-Simmons, the Wildcats are 4-2 in the regular season and 2-0 in the NCAA Division III playoffs, including wins of 27-13 in the 2017 first round in McMinnville and 24-10 in the 2016 first round in Abilene … the other games against Texas teams were in the playoffs: in 1965, Linfield beat Sul Ross State 30-27 in an NAIA semifinal in Alpine; in 1974, Linfield lost 52-8 to Texas Lutheran in an NAIA Division II semifinal in Seguin.
 
NORTHWEST CONFERENCE NUMBERS
Linfield won sole possession of the 2017 Northwest Conference championship, making nine straight seasons in which the Wildcats at least tied for the title. The Wildcats' current streak of nine straight seasons with at least a share of the title is the longest such streak in NWC history. In addition to its present streak, Linfield also won or share NWC titles in six straight seasons from 2000-05 … there have been three other times NWC teams won or shared titles in five straight seasons: Linfield from 1974-78, Willamette from 1940-1947 (there was no NWC football from 1943-45 due to World War II) and Willamette from 1934-38 … through 2017, Linfield has won 41 NWC championships, including 33 outright.
 
THE STREAK
In 2017, Linfield has secured its 62nd consecutive winning season; the Wildcats' streak, which began in 1956, is the longest in the history of college football at any level. During the streak, Linfield is 500-113-10 for a winning percentage of .811 … Linfield's record at home during the streak is 271-42-4 (.861), and at Maxwell Field it is 268-42-4 (.860).
 
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
2017 is Linfield's 103rd season of football, dating back to 1896. The Wildcats' all-time record is 604-264-28 (.690). Linfield's all-time home record is 337-91-16 (.777), including a Maxwell Field record of 316-79-11 (.792).
 
The 600th football win in Linfield history came in 2017 over George Fox by a 12-6 score October 21 in McMinnville; that was also the victory that secured the Wildcats' 62nd consecutive winning season … the other milestones: Linfield's 100th win came September 25, 1954 against Portland State by 12-7 in McMinnville; the 200th win was November 2, 1968 against Whitman by 27-7 in Walla Walla; the 300th win was October 30, 1982 against Willamette by 43-14 in McMinnville; the 400th win was October 29, 1994 against Eastern Oregon by 55-13 in La Grande; the 500th win was October 6, 2007 against Puget Sound by 37-0 in McMinnville.
 
Since the start of the 2009 season, Linfield is 94-12 overall (.887), 77-4 (.951) in the regular season, 52-3 (.945) at home and 57-1 in NWC games (.983) … during that span, Linfield is 17-8 (.680) in the postseason.
 
COACH JOSEPH SMITH
Joseph Smith is in his 12th season as Linfield's head coach; he has an overall record of 112-21 (.842), which is the highest winning percentage of any head coach in Wildcat football history … Smith's record includes marks of 95-13 (.880) in the regular season, 72-5 (.935) in Northwest Conference games, 17-8 (.680) in the postseason and 62-7 (.899) at home.