UCO falls to Fort Hays State after nearly two-hour delay

9/17/2016 11:12:00 PM | By: Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma lost 34-20 to Fort Hays State on Saturday in Hays, Kan. [Photo by John Fitzgerald, UCO Radio]

HAYS, Kan. - Central Oklahoma lost 34-20 to Fort Hays State on Saturday in a game that was disrupted for more than 90 minutes for a lightning delay.

The Bronchos fall to 0-3 on the season and must turn their attention to next weekend's home game against Missouri Western.

T.J. Eckert threw his first touchdown pass of the season and Clay McKenzie rushed for his fifth score on the year, but the Bronchos couldn't overcome a slow start that resulted in an early deficit.

Fort Hays State quarterback Jacob Mezera threw a 30-yard touchdown to Shaquille Cooper with 10:20 to play in the first quarter. Mezera found Cooper again on a 21-yard score with 7:37 to play in the first.

That's when lightning struck too close to Lewis Field Stadium and the players and coaches headed to the locker rooms for 95 minutes.

When play finally resumed, Mezera and Hays took a gamble and paid off big time. Mezera connected on a 62-yard score to Layne Bieberle on the first play back from the delay to make it 21-0, and still in the first quarter.

The Bronchos finally got on the board as Eckert found Connor Pulley for an 18-yard score with 11:47 to play in the second quarter. Hays' Brandon Brown kicked a field goal to make it 24-7, but the Bronchos marched down the field in less than two minutes to set up a field goal attempt for Central Oklahoma's No. 3 all-time scorer Seth Hiddink

Hiddink connected on the 29-yard attempt to make it 24-10 heading into halftime. It was the third straight game that Hiddink has made a field goal as time expired in the second quarter.

Hiddink and Brown traded field goals again in the third quarter, then with 13:08 to play in the fourth, McKenzie added his touchdown to make it a one score game with plenty of time play. The Bronchos though, trailing just 27-20 and trying to mount a late comeback, would see Mezera scamper in for a 19-yard touchdown run to make it 34-20.

Eckert finished 15 of 29 for 246 yards with a touchdown. Pulley led the Bronchos in receiving with six catches for 128 yards with the score.

Jake Gandara got the start for the Bronchos at running back and led the team in rushing, with 12 carries for 62 yards. McKenzie finished with 12 carries for 53 yards.

Riley Galyon led UCO with 10 tackles, and Braden Calip added an interception.

UCO hosts Missouri Western in Week 4. It'll be a 6 p.m. kickoff at Wantland Stadium next Saturday, Sept. 24.

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