HAYS, Kan. — Central Oklahoma defeated Fort Hays State by a score of 21-14 on Saturday evening (Oct. 11) at Lewis Field Stadium. The game was tightly contested throughout with the score tied at the end of each of the first three quarters. The Bronchos scored the decisive touchdown in the fourth quarter, set up by an interception return that nearly went for a score. Fort Hays State is now 4-3 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA, while UCO moved to 3-3 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA.
 
The first quarter was a scoreless stalemate, but UCO was the first to get on the board in the second quarter with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Jett Huff to Ashton Schumann at 8:53. The Tigers took their next drive 75 yards down the field and tied the game with a Caleb Heavner 24-yard touchdown pass to Cale Cormaney.
 
A pivotal play that gave the Tigers the upper hand in the third quarter was a bad snap that went over the head of UCO quarterback Jett Huff. Taderian Partee recovered the ball and rumbled 69 yards for a touchdown, putting FHSU up 14-7. However, the momentum was short lived as Dev Matthews evened the score 27 seconds later with a 62-yard touchdown run. The game went into the fourth quarter 14-14.
 
Moving the ball into UCO territory early in the fourth quarter, UCO defensive back Bryant Coley came up with the game-changing play for his squad, intercepting a Heavner pass and running it back 65 yards to the FHSU 1-yardline. Two plays later, Huff found Dominique Dunn for a two-yard touchdown pass, which proved to be the game winner.
 
Penalties plagued FHSU throughout the night as 10 totaled 120 yards. UCO only had three that went for 23 yards. It was a big reason they could not build any momentum in the fourth quarter.
 
Caleb 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.
 
Fort Hays State travels to nationally ranked Northwest Missouri State next Saturday (Oct. 18). The Bearcats are 5-1 overall and 4-0 in MIAA play. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. in Maryville.