UCO Tames Tigers For 600th Win

9/4/2014 10:10:00 PM

Chas Stallard (7) looks to pass

Game Statistics

HAYS, Kan. (Sept. 4) – Quarterback Chas Stallard was superb in his first-ever college game, Seth Hiddink kicked four second-half field goals and Central Oklahoma's defense dominated to lead the Bronchos to an historic 26-7 victory over Fort Hays State here Thursday night.

UCO broke a six-game season-opening losing streak with the 600^th win in program history, improving to 600-375-46 in its 109^th year. The Bronchos never trailed after jumping out to a 14-0 halftime lead and outgained the Tigers 489-181 in what turned out to be a Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association mismatch.

"That was a big, big win for this football team," said third-year head coach Nick Bobeck, whose team went 2-8 last year. "We played a tough, physical game on both sides of the ball. Our defense was outstanding all night and I can't say enough about the play of our offensive line.

"But it's just one game and we can't relax. We still have a long, long ways to go and just have to keep doing what we've been doing and work hard."

Stallard, a redshirt freshman making his collegiate debut, was poised from start-to-finish in leading the offensive onslaught. He rushed 17 times for 107 yards and a touchdown while completing 15-of-23 passes for 204 yards and a score.

Running back Jake Gandara ground up 136 yards on 24 carries as UCO had two 100-yard rushers for the first time since 2009. The Bronchos finished with 285 rushing yards behind the starting offensive line unit of Landon Chappell, Micah Goodman, Leighton Light, Brandon Waggoner and Aaron Williams

Hiddink knocked through field goals of 18, 37, 38 and 47 yards – stretching his consecutive made streak to 13 straight – and UCO's defense did the rest.

The Bronchos, who registered only two shutout quarters during the entire 2013 season, pitched three against FHSU and the Tigers' lone score came on a long kickoff return in the third quarter.

UCO was able to rotate players throughout the contest in limiting FHSU to 92 rushing yards and 89 passing as two quarterbacks combined to complete only 7-of-22 passes.

Safety Matt Pruitt finished with a team-high six tackles and one interception, while linebacker Chass Glaspie had four tackles, end Nick Koenig a big sack and linebacker Cade Shearwood a fumble recovery on the UCO five-yard-line to thwart FHSU's best scoring chance.

The Bronchos used trickery to take a lead they would never relinquish on the first play of the second quarter.

Star wide receiver Marquez Clark took the snap in the wildcat formation and handed off to Gandara on a reverse. Gandara then pitched the ball to Stallard – who had lined up as a wide receiver -- on a double reverse, with Stallard tossing a 24-yard touchdown pass to Connor Pulley.

FHSU threated on its next possession before Shearwood came through with his fumble recovery and UCO upped its lead to 14-0 late in the half with a time-consuming 14-play, 80-yard TD march.

Stallard was 4-of-4 passing for 42 yards, including a 17-yarder to Pulley on a third-and-10 play, and he finished it off with an 11-yard scoring scramble. Hiddink's extra point made it 14-0 with just 35 seconds left in the half.

The Bronchos scored on their first four possessions of the second half, having to settle for Hiddink field goal each time.

Stallard had runs of 29 and 44 yards to spark the first two of those scoring drives that gave UCO a 20-0 lead, with the Tigers scoring their lone touchdown on an 89-yard kickoff return following the second one.

The Bronchos responded with another field goal drive, getting a 40-yard pass from Stallard to Clark and driving to the FHSU one before settling for Hiddink's 18-yard chip-shot.

Pruitt's interception at the FHSU 40 set up the final field goal.

UCO makes its home debut next Saturday, Sept. 13, hosting Missouri Western at 6 p.m.

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