By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
EDMOND, Okla. – Central Oklahoma lived up to its billing as the top offense in NCAA Division II on Saturday night (Sept. 28) in Edmond. The No. 23/23 ranked Bronchos ran away with a 49-24 win over Fort Hays State, improving to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the MIAA. The Tigers moved to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the MIAA.
Central Oklahoma ran out to a 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Caleb Heavner entered the game at quarterback for FHSU and started to spark the Tiger offense when he found Jabari Lewis for a 64-yard touchdown pass up the left sideline early in the second quarter. The Tigers had a chance to cut into the lead even more on their next possession, but a drive fizzled in the redzone, unable to convert on 4th-and-3 at the UCO 7 yard line. UCO went on to reach the endzone two more times and FHSU had only a Carson Arndt field goal to counter. Heavner had 163 passing yards by halftime, completing 9-of-15 attempts. UCO led 35-10 at the half.
Early on, the Tigers had no answer for UCO wide receiver Terrill Davis, who had eight receptions for 209 yards and four touchdowns in the first half. Quarterback Jett Huff lived up to his No. 1 ranking nationally in completion percentage by connecting 19 times out of 23 attempts in the opening half for five touchdowns and 330 yards. UCO had 423 yards of total offense by halftime, but the Tigers were able to counter with 276 of their own.
The Bronchos scored two more touchdowns in the third quarter unanswered to push their lead to 49-10. The Tigers had the only two touchdowns of the fourth quarter, the first on a one-yard run by Shane Watts and the other on a 30-yard scrambling scamper by Heavner.
Completing 22-of-33 passing attempts, Heavner finished with 275 yards. Jayden Horace led the way in receiving yards for the Tigers with 83 on four catches. Shane Watts finished with 75 rushing yards. Benyon Williams led the Tigers in tackles with eight.
For UCO, Huff finished 22-of-26 passing for 367 yards before yielding to Dawson Herl at quarterback later in the game. Davis finished with 217 yards on nine catches. Jaylen Cottrell finished with 134 rushing yards on 11 attempts.
Even though the Bronchos finished with 591 total yards, about nine yards over its nation-leading average, the Tigers had their best total offense performance of the season with 502 yards.
Fort Hays State returns home to host nationally ranked Central Missouri for Homecoming next Saturday (Oct. 5). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays.