By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
EDMOND, Okla. - Central Oklahoma lived up to its billing as the top offense in NCAA Division II Saturday night at Chad Richison Stadium. The No. 23/23 Bronchos scored three quick first quarter touchdowns en route to a 49-24 victory over Fort Hays State.
The Bronchos (4-0, 3-0 MIAA) scored on touchdown passes of 49, 52 and 34 yards on their first three possessions to built an early 21-0 lead. Fort Hays State (3-2, 1-2 MIAA) moved the ball into redzone on their second possession but Jack Dawson threw an interception in the endzone to end the scoring threat.
Caleb Heavner replaced Dawson late in the first quarter and gave the Tigers a spark. The redshirt sophomore from Denison, Texas found Jabari Lewis om a 64-yard touchdown pass up the FHSU sideline early in the second quarter. After forcing UCO into a three-and-out, the Tigers had a chance to cut into the lead even more, but the drive fizzled in the redzone when they were unable to convert on 4th-and-3 at the UCO 7 yardline.
UCO went on to reach the endzone two more times in the quarter and led 35-10 at halftime.
Bronchos running back Jaylen Cottrell broke a 79-yard touchdown run on the second play of the third quarter. An 11-yard touchdown run from William Mason pushed the lead to 49-10. Shane Watts scored on a 1-yard touchdown run and Heavner a 30-yard scamper in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring.
Heavner finished 22-of-33 for 275 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 55 yards on seven carries and the score. Jayden Horace hauled in four passes for 83 yards. Shane Watts finished with 75 rushing yards.
UCO quarterback Jett Huff entered the game with the top completion percentage percentage in Division II. He finished 22-of-26 through the air for 367 yards and five touchdowns, all of them in the first half. Terrill Davis had nine receptions for 217 yards and four touchdowns. Eight of those catches came in the first half. Running back Jaylen Cottrell had 134 rushing yards on 11 carries and the one touchdown.
UCO finished the night with 591 total yards of offense, roughly nine yards over their nation-leading average. Fort Hays State had their best offensive performance of the season with 502 yards.
UP NEXT
Fort Hays State returns home to host nationally ranked Central Missouri for Homecoming next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Lewis Field.