Oct 12, 2025

馃張 Fourth quarter interception helps Bronchos slip by FHSU

Posted Oct 12, 2025 4:47 AM
Fort Hays State wide receiver Tariq Logan makes a catch in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Oklahoma on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Lewis Field in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Jordyn Bredenberg)
Fort Hays State wide receiver Tariq Logan makes a catch in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Oklahoma on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Lewis Field in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Jordyn Bredenberg)

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post Sports

HAYS - Fort Hays State had a scoop and score touchdown to take their first lead of the game but it was an interception by Central Oklahoma returned to the one yard line which set up the go-ahead score that lifted the Bronchos to a 21-14 win over the Tigers in front of 4,719 at Lewis Field Saturday night.

The Tigers (4-3, 3-2 MIAA) took thier only lead in the third quarter when Taderian Partee recoverd a fumble following a high snap over UCO quarterback Jett Huff's head and rumbled 69 yards for a touchdown to put FHSU up 14-7. The Bronchos (3-3, 3-2 MIAA) quickly seized back the momentum 27 seconds later when UCO running back Dev Matthews ran 62 yards for a touchdown to even the score 14-14.

The Tigers moved the ball into UCO territory early in the fourth quarter, but defensive back Bryant Coley intercepted a Caleb Heavner pass and returned it 65 yards to the FHSU 1-yardline. Two plays later, Huff found tight end Dominique Dunn for a two-yard touchdown pass, which proved to be the game winner.

The game was tightly contested throughout with the score tied at the end of each of the first three quarters. After a scoreless first quarter, UCO got on the board with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Huff to Ashton Schumann at 8:53. The Tigers drove 75 yards on their next possession and tied the game on a Heavner 24-yard touchdown pass to  tight end Cale Cormaney.

The Tigers were plagued by penalties, totaling 10 for 120 yards including a key 15-yards unsportsmanlike conduct after they had moved to ball to the Bronchos 38-yardline midway through the fourth quarter.

Heavner finished with 212 passing yards for FHSU. Curtis Douglas ran for a team-high 72 yards and Cale Cormaney hauled in nine passes for 93 yards. FHSU had 348 yards of total offense. John Johnson led the FHSU defense with 16 tackles, while Parrish Terry added nine tackles that included a sack.

The Bronchos rushed for 223 yards as a team and had a pair of 100-yard rushers. William Mason finished with 123, while Mattews added 105. Huff finished with 161 passing yards and Schumann was his top target with six catches for 61 yards. Jack Puckett led UCO with 11 tackles, which included a pair of sacks.

Up next

Fort Hays State travels to Northwest Missouri State next Saturday. The Bearcats are 5-1 overall and lead the MIAA at 4-0 following a victory Saturday at Central Missouri. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. in Maryville.