It wasn't until Monday, though, that it became official - the Crusaders have a new starting quarterback.
After making an unannounced start in last Saturday's victory, Bailey is listed as the starter this week, when the third-ranked Crusaders (5-0, 4-0 American Southwest Conference) visit Mississippi College (4-1, 3-0) for a game that for all intents and purposes will decide the conference championship.
"We think right now that LiDarral really adds a dimension to our offense," UMHB coach Pete Fredenburg said Monday during his weekly press conference. "He has an explosiveness that's pretty unique, so we're going to try to let him play quite a bit.
"(Former starter Kyle Noack) is obviously a guy who gives us a lot of leadership and does a good job, and he'll play some. But LiDarral is going to be our starter."
Bailey, a freshman out of Bremond, is second in the ASC in rushing and averages 10.4 yards per carry to go with a 23-of-32 passing line for 326 yards.
Noack, a junior who started the first four games, has rushed for 93 yards and thrown for 390.
Despite Bailey's ability to exploit defenses in the Crusaders' option-based attack, the determination to make the change wasn't anxiety-free for Fredenburg.
"It was a really tough decision," the coach said. "You don't really want to do that. You'd like to have a guy who is a seasoned veteran, has been in the program and has the leadership abilities that Kyle has.
"That's not taking anything away from LiDarral because he has the same qualities, but he's just a freshman. So it was a tough decision, and it was tough on both of those guys. But they've handled it with class and poise."
And with Noack having proven that he's capable of leading of the offense as a backup or a starter, the Crusaders are willing to allow Bailey to mature as he goes.
"Kyle has been here for three years and been through all of the offseasons and all the other things, so he's a true Crusader," Fredenburg said. "And LiDarral is making giant strides in that direction."
Salinas earns ASC honor
Middle linebacker Jeremy Salinas was named American Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
The senior out of Wharton had five solo tackles and nine total to go with a sack during UMHB's 54-20 win over Louisiana College.
Approaching the record
UMHB has won 33 consecutive conference games and can tie the ASC record of 34 straight - held by Hardin-Simmons - with a win over the Choctaws.
That being said, the Crusaders say reaching the mark isn't any extra motivation.
"We don't even think about it," Fredenburg said. "We just want to win the conference and to do that, we have to beat Mississippi College.
"When it's all said and done, we'll look back and see what we accomplished, hopefully."
