Linfield’s 27-13 win over Hardin-Simmons on Saturday sets up a much-anticipated rematch with defending national champion, Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders. The Crusaders handed the Wildcats their only loss of the regular season when the two teams met at Maxwell Field on Sept. 16.

Linfield and Hardin-Simmons faced off in last year’s opening-round playoff game in Abilene, Texas. The Wildcats won that match, 24-10. This year’s opening-round rematch between the No. 8 Wildcats and No. 5 Cowboys seemed to be decided after the first half.

A first quarter rushing touchdown by Aidan Wilder, ’20, broke the ice. With just under a minute left in the half, Wyatt Smith, ’21, connected with Keegan Weiss, ’20, for a 15-yard touchdown pass.

Smith, who has settled in at the starting quarterback position, finished the game with 17 completions on 24 attempts, 226 yards and a touchdown pass.

“Adjusting has been a lot easier because of the leaders we have,” Smith said about his increasing confidence in the pocket. “Knowing they have my back no matter what helps me to stay in there.”

Fans expected the Cowboys to run out the remaining time in the first half. But Duke Mackle, ’19, had other plans. Mackle intercepted a pass at the Linfield 47-yard-line with 11 seconds left and returned it to the house for his second pick-six of the year.

The Wildcat defense overpowered the Cowboy offense, which averaged 493 yards this season. The Cowboys were limited to just 195 total yards in Saturday’s meeting, not counting Crusaders Reese Childress’ punt return.

“We’re an experienced group that doesn’t get fazed by playoff games and really believes in each other to do our jobs,” said Wade Ransom, ’18.

The Cowboys were able to get on the board in the third quarter with a 74-yard punt return touchdown by Childress. They added another touchdown with less than a minute left in the game, but missed the extra-point kick.

Will Warne, ’19, added two more field goals to his resume to seal the deal for the Wildcats.

With the win, the Wildcats improve their record to 9-1. They will advance to the second round to face the No. 1 Crusaders in what has become a newborn rivalry in recent years. That game will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday in Belton, Texas.

“We are definitely excited for this,” Smith said. “We know it’s going to be a hard-fought game, and it’s just going to come down to a couple plays that will ultimately decide who moves on.”