JACKSON- The Millsaps Majors could not overcome a big third quarter from #2 Mary Hardin Baylor in a 43-7 opening night loss on Saturday. 

The #2 Crusaders outscored Millsaps 23-0 in the third quarter, cashing in on a defensive and special teams touchdown to break open what was a seven-point game at the half. 

Mary Hardin Baylor struck first scoring on a Zach Anderson 13-yard quarterback scramble. The run capped a six play 66 yard drive and made it 7-0 Crusaders midway through the first quarter. 

Millsaps struck right back, after a pair of Mike Barthelemy runs, Thrasher hit Trevor King on a 12-yard out to set up first-and-ten from the Crusader 40 yard line. Thrasher rolled out and fired a pass to Zachary Borne who shook off a defender and caught the ball off a deflection and raced 40 yards into the end zone. Beau Brady's kick was good to tie the game at 7-7. 

The teams would trade punts to close out the opening quarter. The Majors' Ben Dudley would pin the Crusaders down inside their own one-yard line with a 59-yard punt after the Majors' opening possession of the second quarter. The Crusaders would march 99 yards on 10 plays, capping with a 59-yard touchdown pass to Kamray Runnels from Josh Anderson. The play was similar to Borne's score, with Runnels spinning off Jorrick Battle who had tipped the pass. The extra point was good to make it 14-7 Mary Hardin Baylor. A missed field goal by the Crusaders followed a Millsaps punt and it would be 14-7 Crusaders at the half. 

In the second half, the Crusaders would start with possession and were on the move early. Five straight Anderson completions moved the ball inside the Majors 25-yard line. A key stop on third down by Eric Martin forced a 43-yard field goal, it was good and the Crusaders led 17-7. 

A mistake on the kickoff pinned the Majors inside their own 10-yard line to start the ensuing drive. Zak Thrasher hit Matt Wahl on third down but he was hit high and low and fumbled the ball at the Majors 10 yard line. The Crusaders would recover and Anderson would run in from 10 yards out on the next play, it would be 23-7 after a missed extra point. 

The ensuing drive put the Majors in a third-and-ten and Thrasher had his pass deflected and intercepted, Chandler Sheffield returned it 45 yards for a touchdown , the point after was good and it was 30-7 Crusaders. 

Millsaps continued to struggle to move the ball. The ensuing Majors drive would stall following a penalty and Ben Dudley's punt would be returned 48 yards by Eric Allen for a score to make it 37-7. Mary Hardin Baylor added a late score to make it 43-7. 

Zak Thrasher finished 15 of 29 for 150 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Mike Barthelemy and the Majors' rushing attack was slowed on Saturday as the All-American rushed 16 times for 40 yards. Eric Martin led all players with 15 tackles, while Jeff Milner led the way with three tackles for loss. Zach Bell recorded 1.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and four total tackles. 

The Majors will hit the road for their next three contests before hosting Birmingham Southern on October 18th. Next up is a trip to Cincinnati, Ohio to take on Mount Saint Joseph next Saturday. Kickoff from the Queen City is set for 12:30 pm central.