Football 10/13/2021 8:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Bronchos Visit Fort Hays State Saturday Night

Central Oklahoma Takes Two-Game Win Streak North In Week 7

HAYS, Kan. – The University of Central Oklahoma football team will play another road game this weekend, with the Bronchos scheduled to take on Fort Hays State in an MIAA matchup Saturday at 7 p.m.

Central Oklahoma is 3-3 this season and takes a two-game win streak to Hays. The Bronchos won the 2021 season opener before a three-game skid. UCO then beat Lincoln and Northeastern State in a five-day span to get back to .500. Fort Hays State is also 3-3 this season. The Tigers started the season 0-2 before winning three in a row. Hays lost in overtime last weekend.

UCO leads the all-time series against FHSU 7-6. The Bronchos won each of the first six meetings, including two in the 1950s and four in the 1990s. Central was 6-1 all-time against Fort Hays before the two schools joined the MIAA. UCO's last win in the series was 2014, the first game with both schools members of the league. Hays has won the last five meetings.

Central Oklahoma heads to Hays averaging 28.8 points per game through six games this season. The Bronchos post an average of 338.8 yards per game, splitting that mark near evenly at 170 rushing yards per game and 168.8 passing yards per contest.

UCO has scored 18 touchdowns on the ground this season, with junior quarterback Stephon Brown's seven rushing touchdowns leading the way.

Brown has 72 carries for 306 yards in five games this season, reaching the end zone seven times. His longest run of the season – 45 yards – was also for one of those touchdowns.

Jayce Gardner is leading Central with 318 yards on 60 carries in six games. He has three rushing touchdowns. Payton Scott and Tucker Pawley also have three scores each in the run game. Scott, who has started all six games at running back, has 46 carries for 228 yards and three TDs. Pawley has 20 rushes for 113 yards and three scores in five games.

Brown also leads UCO's passing attack, splitting time with Keats Calhoon. Brown is 53-for-91 with one touchdown and three interceptions in five games. He has 519 yards passing. Calhoon is 45-for-69 with two touchdowns and one interception in four games played. He has 391 passing yards.

Markiese King, who also has one rushing touchdown, has the most yards receiving of any Broncho this season. King has hauled in 15 passes in five games for 259 yards and two touchdowns. He caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Brown and a 57-yard touchdown pass – Central's longest play from scrimmage this season – from fellow receiver Josh Moore.

Moore has a team-high 20 receptions for 222 yards. His longest reception of the season is 46 yards. Moore is 1-for-1 passing with a 57-yard touchdown he launched on a double-pass two weeks ago against Lincoln.

Diego Richards is the third Broncho with 100 yards receiving. He has five catches for 103 yards. Daunte McGee (14-77) and Gardner (12-77) have been heavily involved in the passing attack. Andrew Kelow (6-47) has as well and he is tied for the team lead with two touchdown receptions. Kelow caught a 12-yard and a 5-yard TD pass from Calhoon in each of the last two games.

Defensively, Central Oklahoma heads to Hays allowing 23.3 points per game on 366 yards per game. Opponents average 220.5 yards passing against the Bronchos and 145.5 yards rushing against UCO.

Dylan Buchheit has led UCO in tackles all season. The sophomore safety leads the team with 42 tackles (26 solo) and also has two interceptions and two pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

Lamontre Huval and Elijah Wright, Central's starting linebackers, have 26 and 25 tackles respectively. The duo also has a combined 4.5 tackles for losses this season. Huval's four pass breakups leads the team.

Fort Hays State posts 35.6 points per game this season and does so on 490 yards of offense. The Tigers split the latter with 325.1 passing yards per game and 164.8 rushing yards per game.

Chance Fuller leads the offense at quarterback. He is 137-for-218 in six games and has 1,829 yards and 14 touchdowns. Fuller has thrown seven interceptions. Adrian Soto leads the ground attack with 64 carries, 480 yards, and six touchdowns.

Defensively, Hays gives up 22 points per game on 358.8 yards of offense per outing. Layke Heimerman leads the team with 44 tackles while Myles Menges has 43.

Central Oklahoma makes the turn through the middle of the 2021 season with a 3-3 record. The Bronchos will return to Edmond and prepare next for Homecoming. The Bronchos host Washburn at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. UCO will visit Pittsburg State in Week 9, host Nebraska Kearney for Senior Day in Week 10, and wrap up the 2021 regular season at Central Missouri in Week 11.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Dylan Buchheit: DB; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#18 Keats Calhoon: QB; 6' 1"; Junior

#20 Jayce Gardner: RB; 5' 11"; Freshman

#30 Lamontre Huval: LB; 6' 2"; Senior

#38 Andrew Kelow: HB; 6' 3"; Junior

#1 Markiese King: WR; 5' 8"; Junior

#85 Daunte McGee: HB; 6' 5"; Junior

#0 Josh Moore: WR; 5' 10"; Senior

#21 Tucker Pawley: RB; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#5 Diego Richards: WR; 5' 8"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#10 Dylan Buchheit
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: DB

#18 Keats Calhoon
: 6' 1"; Junior
: QB

#20 Jayce Gardner
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: RB

#30 Lamontre Huval
: 6' 2"; Senior
: LB

#38 Andrew Kelow
: 6' 3"; Junior
: HB

#1 Markiese King
: 5' 8"; Junior
: WR

#85 Daunte McGee
: 6' 5"; Junior
: HB

#0 Josh Moore
: 5' 10"; Senior
: WR

#21 Tucker Pawley
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: RB

#5 Diego Richards
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: WR