HSU in Missouri for next round

By AL PICKETT / Sports Editor

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Evangel College features the nation's No. 1-ranked defense, but the Crusaders' offense is of equal concern for Hardin-Simmons University head football coach Jimmie Keeling.

Hardin-Simmons (8-2), ranked 11th in the nation, makes its fifth consecutive appearance in the NAIA Division II playoffs today when the Cowboys meet fifth-ranked Evangel (9-0) at Southwest Missouri State's Plaster Sports Complex.

"Their offense is good, too," Keeling said. "They have three offensive linemen over 300 pounds, one at 290 and the baby of the group is 250 pounds. Their quarterback is 6-5, 235 pounds, and he throws the ball well."

Quarterback Eric Black is the Crusaders' career leader in touchdown passes. He's thrown 19 this season, completing 107 of 229 attempts for 1,773 yards.

"He can throw farther than you can run," Keeling said. "We've seen him on film scramble out of the pocket and throw it 50 or 60 yards. They run a shotgun and I-formation. They've depended a lot on the passing game."

Black's favorite target is split end John Dollar, who has 30 receptons and seven touchdowns.

"No doubt, we've got to get pressure on the quarterback," Keeling said. "We also have to stay hooked up with their receivers, because the quarterback can throw the ball 50 yards. We also have to stop the running game."

The Crusaders are averaging 33 points per game and have scored more than 40 twice this season.

Evangel's defense is the top-rated unit in NAIA Division II, allowing only 11.3 points and 216 yards per game.

But the Cowboys will test the Evangel defense with a potent offensive attack of their own.

Quarterback Todd Baumann leads the HSU attack. The senior is 210 yards shy of throwing for 5,000 yards in two seasons at HSU. He has thrown for 2,431 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. Baumann is averaging 267 yards total offense per game and hasn't been intercepted in his last 60 attempts.

His favorite target is slotback Todd Bloom, who leads NAIA Division II in receptions with 96 catches for 1,019 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Baumann will also look for Mitch Ables, who has a team-high 10 TD receptions, and Chance Sampson, who had 37 receptions this season.

For the first time since 1992, HSU didn't have a 1,000-yard rusher this season. But Jeff Callaway rushed for 602 and Jeff Whitley 599 yards. The HSU defense, led by sophomore linebacker Robert Brown, is allowing only 13 points per game and posted a 33-0 shutout of Austin College in its last outing.

The two teams have met once previously, in the opening round of the 1993 playoffs, when the Cowboys whipped Evangel, 49-21, at HSU's Shelton Stadium.

Only punter Rusty Oglesby and linebacker Jason Cothran on this year's team played in the 1993 game for Hardin-Simmons.

Evangel, the Heart of America Conference champion, has 19 returning starters from a year ago and has won 14 in a row, dating back to Sept. 30, 1995.

Hardin-Simmons vs. Evangel

-- What: First round of NAIA Division II playoffs

-- Where: Plaster Sports Complex, Springfield, Mo.

-- When: 1:30 p.m.

-- Records: HSU 8-2, Evangel 9-0

-- Radio: KORQ 100.7 FM

-- Key players: Evangel quarterback Eric Black has thrown 19 TD passes this season, while HSU quarterback Todd Baumann has connected for 22 TD passes. Evangel leads the nation in defense, allowing only 11 points and 216 yards per game.