HOUSTON – HCU built a 14-0 lead and the Huskies' defense held strong in the second half, led by a big interception with less than two minutes left to play to secure a 17-13 Homecoming victory over Southland Conference rival Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday afternoon at Husky Stadium.
In the first quarter, both teams traded punts on the opening two possessions before Texas A&M-Commerce (1-7, 1-3 SLC) took a 12-play, 52-yard drive down to the HCU 32 but Emmanuel Adagbon's 49-yard field goal attempt fell short. Later in the quarter, the Lions had the ball at their own 35 but a Josh Magana pass was intercepted by
Isaiah Cash at the HCU (4-4, 2-2 SLC) 49 and returned seven yards to the Lions' 44. The Huskies needed just five plays to find the end zone with wide receiver
AJ Wilson tossing a 12-yard pass to
Karl Reynolds in the end zone.
The Huskies maintained that 7-0 lead through a pair of A&M-Commerce drives before taking over at their own five following a punt. It took just six plays for HCU to strike with quarterback
Colby Suits finding Deuce McMillan on a short crossing route with the speedy wide receiver taking it to the house for a 37-yard touchdown pass and a 14-0 advantage. The Lions answered, however, on their next drive. A&M-Commerce moved the ball 63 yards on nine plays, capped by a one-yard touchdown run by Jordon Hamilton.
HCU took over at its own 25 on the ensuing possession with just 1:17 left in the half. The Huskies moved the ball across the 50 in a hurry and set kicker
Dillon Fedor up for a 50-yard attempt with just five ticks left on the clock. The junior connected for a career-long and sent the Huskies into halftime leading 17-7.
In the third quarter, both teams had extended drives but no points to show for it with Fedor missing a 47-yard attempt with 2:22 on the clock. As time expired in the quarter, a Suits pass was picked off by Jaden Rios at the A&M-Commerce 14-yard line and the sophomore took it 86 yards to the house. A failed extra point attempt left it a 17-13 game.
The Lions started moving the ball on a drive that started with 6:27 to go, converting multiple third down tries and getting down to the HCU 25. On a third-and-10 play, Magana took a shot at the end zone but Cash came up with his second interception of the game to end the threat.
With 1:57 on the clock,
Jesse Valenzuela picked up a first down on his first attempt of the possession, a 12-yard rush, and two plays later a 19-yard pass from Suits to
Aaron Sotelo for another first down assured the Huskies' win.
Cash had just one career interception prior to Saturday's game and finished the day with eight tackles on top of his two picks. Junior linebacker
Rodney Dansby led all players with 14 tackles while
Xavier McIntyre added eight.
Charles Gonzales had a solo sack while
Jalyx Hunt and Joe Cadette teamed up on another.
Suits finished the game 21-of-32 passing with one touchdown and an interception, throwing for 242 yards.
Karl Reynolds posted another 100+-yard game receiving, finishing with nine catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. McMillan had five receptions for 78 yards and a score. Valenzuela led the HCU ground attack with 50 yards on 16 carries.
HCU's game at Northwestern State next weekend has been canceled, so the Huskies' next scheduled game is Saturday, Nov. 11, in Lake Charles, La. vs. the McNeese Cowboys.
