Mary Hardin-Baylor’s hopes of back-to-back national titles were flattened with a loss to eventual national champion North Central College in the semifinals. Head coach Larry Harmon said the 49-14 loss on national television has been a source of pain for the coaches and players throughout the offseason, and that’s bad news for the rest of Division III.

The Crusaders played a difficult schedule in 2022. Harmon isn’t backing down from competition in 2023 either, with visits to Wisconsin-River Falls and Trinity to open the season, followed by a home game against Wisconsin-Whitewater. The Crusaders lost tons of experience with K.J. Miller, Kyle King, Brandon Jordan, Aphonso Thomas, and some offensive linemen graduating. But this is Mary Hardin-Baylor, and it remains loaded with talent. The Crusaders will be in the national championship conversation again this season.