BELTON, Texas – The Blazers football team fell to No. 3 ranked University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Saturday afternoon 59-13 at Crusader Stadium.
 
The Blazers fell behind late in the first quarter, giving up a pair of touchdowns in the final five minutes. The Division III power then used a 36-point second quarter to open up a 50-0 lead.
 
However, the Blazers found a little momentum in the third quarter after switching to back up quarterback Tristan Hibbeler. The true freshman connected with Nate Williams on a 41-yard touchdown pass to put the Blazers on the scoreboard early in the third quarter.
 
Hibbeler would finish with 358 yards passing on 33 completions. He had two touchdown passes and one interception.
 
On Belhaven's next drive, Hibbeler connected with Jaquay Daniels on a 61-yard pass to give the Blazers 13 points in the quarter. However, the point after was blocked and returned 98 yards for two points to the Crusaders.
 
Mary Hardin-Baylor would go on to add another touchdown early in the fourth quarter to wrap the scoring.
 
Despite 468 yards passing in the game, Belhaven struggled, allowing 15 sacks which contributed to -87 yards rushing in the contest.
 
Jacob McNeill led the Blazers with 13 receptions in the contest and totaled 106 yards. Daniels used his 61-yard catch and run for a score to cap a six reception, 116-yard performance.
 
Defensively, Isaiah Swopes and Queondre Wynn led the Blazers with six tackles each. Swopes also had two pass breakups in the game.
 
Issac Nelson tied a school record with two interceptions in the game.
 
Saturday was Belhaven's first game against an American Southwest Conference opponent since joining the ASC and NCAA Division III at the start of this season.
 
The Blazers will return home next Saturday to play Louisiana College. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at H.T. Newell Field.