HCU Huskies overpower Arkansas Baptist Buffaloes, 66-0

Champ Dozier (1) scored three TDs for the Huskies.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 2, 2023) The Houston Christian University Huskies scored the third most points in program history as they downed the Arkansas Baptist College Buffaloes by the score of 66-0 at Husky Stadium on Houston on Saturday. The win kicks off the "new era" of Huskies football under head coach Braxton Harris. 

The Huskies found the end zone on their first set of downs when quarterback Colby Suits connected with wide receiver Calvin Wiggins for 13 yards and the touchdown. Dillon Fedor converted the extra point to give HCU a 7-0 lead at the 12:54 in the first quarter. The Husky scoring drive consisted of four plays and 57 yards and lasted 1:12.

After both teams failed to make significant progress, HCU got the ball back late in the first quarter and drove 43 yards in six plays when Suits this time found wide receiver Karl Reynolds open for a 21-yard touchdown pass. Fedor again added the extra point with 3:22 remaining in the first quarter. 

Jalyx Hunt (13) returned an interception for a TD for HCU.
Photo by Darla S. Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

The Buffaloes took over and on their third play, quarterback Damon Mapp was intercepted by linebacker Jalyx Hunt, who returned the ball for the Husky's third touchdown of the night. With Fedor again splitting the uprights to give HCU a 21-0 lead after 15 minutes of play.

Arkansas Baptist got down into the Husky red-zone early in the second half, but after numerous attempts, and penalties on both sides, they had to settle for a field goal attempt. With the ball on the seven-yard line, David Anorve kicked the ball for a 27-yard attempt, which was blocked. HCU picked up the ball and tried to advance it, but was shut down by the Buffaloes.

The Huskies took over on the own 27-yard line and proceeded down the field; covering the 73 yards in five plays and 1:52 for their fourth touchdown of the evening. Running back Champ Dozier rushed the final 19 yards for the score. He also added HCU's fifth touchdown of the game with 5:13 remaining in the half, with a 16-yard run.

In the third quarter, the Huskies added 17 points to their total; from a 23-yard run by Dozier, a 20-yard run by Jesse Valenzuela, along with a 32-yard field goal and two extra points by Fedor, taking the score to 52-0 after 45 minutes of play.

In the fourth quarter, the Huskies mainly kept the ball on the ground in an attempt to run the clock out, however they scored two additional touchdowns. The scores came as a result of a 41-yard pass from quarterback Justin Fomby to wide receiver AJ Wilson, and a six-yard run by Darryle Evans.

Sults completed 7-of-11 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Fomby, in his backup role, was 7-of-7 for 93 yards and one TD. Dozier led all rushers with 11 carries for 97  yards and three touchdowns, while Wilson caught three passes for 66 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Rodney Darsby tallied 10 tackles and one tackle for a loss.

Next up for the Huskies is a September 9 road trip to take on Western Kentucky with a 6 p.m. start. The Hilltoppers downed South Florida by the score of 41-24 in Bowling Green in their first game of the 2023 season.