MARTIN, Tenn. – HCU football fell in non-conference action on Saturday night at Hardy M. Graham Stadium, dropping a road matchup to UT Martin, 66-7.
HCU (1-2) got the ball to start the game with running back
Champ Dozier returning the opening kick 33 yards to the HCU 38. The Huskies moved the ball to the 47 but were forced into a three-and-out. UT Martin (2-1) used a couple of big plays, including a 50-yard touchdown pass from Kinkead Dent to Trevonte Rucker that was deflected by HCU's
Jalyx Hunt near the line of scrimmage but fell into the hands of Dent.
The next HCU possession, the Huskies were facing a third and 14 from their own 34 and quarterback
Colby Suits carried the ball 17 yards but fumbled the ball as he was being tackled with the Skyhawks recovering at their own 49-yard line. UTM then went 51 yards on six plays for a 14-0 lead.
The Huskies struck quickly on the ensuing possession, thanks in large part due to a 63-yard pass from Suits to Dozier down to the UTM five-yard line. Two plays later, Suits connected with
Deuce McMillan for a score with McMillan hauling in a deflection in the end zone. The Skyhawks scored on four of their next five possessions and took a 38-7 lead into the half.
Dozier finished the night with 180 all-purpose yards for the Huskies with 67 yards receiving, 44 yards rushing and 69 kickoff return yards. Junior linebacker
Rodney Dansby ended the night with a game-high 12 tackles with
Isaiah Cash registering nine tackles.
Caleb Flagg and
Justin Macias each had eight tackles with Macias also forcing a fumble.
Dent guided the UT Martin offense with 347 yards passing and five touchdowns on 20-of-27 passing. Sam Franklin finished with 127 yards on the ground and a score.
HCU remains on the road traveling to Hammond, La. for the Southland Conference opener against Southeastern at Strawberry Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 23, at 3:00 p.m.
