HOUSTON – It was all HCU from the opening kick with
Champ Dozier racing 89 yards for a score and the Huskies never looked back while scoring a program record 88 points in a shutout victory over visiting Arkansas Baptist on Saturday night at Husky Stadium.
Dozier took the opening kickoff 89 yards to the house to set the tone and record the second kickoff return touchdown of his career. The HCU (2-1) defense then bent but didn't break as the Buffaloes (1-2) moved the ball 56 yards but were unsuccessful on a fourth-and-16 attempt for a turnover on downs.
The Huskies then took the ball 74 yards downfield on just seven plays for another touchdown and a 14-0 lead less than seven minutes into the game. The Huskies then held Arkansas Baptist in check for the rest of the half and ended up reaching the end zone on each of their first six possessions of the game with
Elijah Harris also returning a punt 52 yards for a score. HCU took a 62-0 lead into halftime.
In the second half, freshman
Hayden Drinkard made his collegiate debut, rushing for 98 yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns as HCU pushed its lead to record levels.
The HCU defense tied the program record for sacks in a game, with six, with junior
Mike Sylvalie credited with three of those. Sylvalie's efforts tie Jalyx Hunt for the second-most in a single game by an HCU player.
Calvin Kalu-Alexander ended the night with 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss and
Rufus Toe led the Huskies with seven total tackles.
As a unit, the Huskies defensive group forced a pair of turnovers on fumbles and held the visitors to just 116 yards of total offense, including just 17 yards allowed on the ground. Offensively, HCU racked up 454 yards of offense with 235 yards through the air and 219 on the ground. HCU special teams totaled 292 yards on returns as the Huskies returned six punts for 181 yards and two kickoffs for 111.
Quarterback
Cutter Stewart completed 5-of-10 passing for 156 yards and three touchdowns, including a 76-yard touchdown pass to
Jamaal Hall II. Hall ended the night with his first 100-yard receiving game in the blue and orange, finishing with three catches for 117 yards and a score.
Ja'Ryan Wallace was efficient, hauling in two touchdown catches for a total of 46 yards. Dozier also scored on a 22-yard reception.
Jaylen Middleton picked up a pair of rushing touchdowns on his five carries, totaling 40 yards. Harris, meanwhile, rushed for 59 yards on five carries with one rushing touchdown to go with his punt return score.
The Huskies will be on the road for their next two games, beginning next Saturday, Sept. 19, in San Antonio, Texas with a Southland Conference matchup against UIW at 6:00 p.m.
