HCU football shuts out Prairie View A&M in dominant display

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 14, 2023) The HCU football team showcased their prowess on the gridiron with an impressive 30-0 victory over Prairie View A&M in their latest non-conference showdown. The Huskies, who have been on a rollercoaster ride this season, secured their second shutout win of the year, leaving their fans at Husky Stadium brimming with excitement.

From the opening kickoff, it was clear that the Huskies were determined to make a statement. Their defense came out firing on all cylinders, forcing Prairie View to punt after just five plays that gained a mere 12 yards. Karl Reynolds returned the punt with style, sprinting 29 yards to set up the Huskies with excellent field position. From there, it was only a matter of time before Dillon Fedor booted a 19-yard field goal to put HCU on the scoreboard, with 9:08 left on the clock.

But the Huskies were not content with just a field goal; they had their sights set on the end zone. After another fantastic three-and-out defensive stand, the offense took the reins. Jesse Valenzuela led the charge with a breathtaking 32-yard rush, and a precise Colby Suits pass to Reynolds advanced the ball well into Panther territory. Suits, showcasing his accuracy, then connected with Ismael Fuller on a short cross that turned into a spectacular 42-yard touchdown. With six minutes still to go in the first quarter, the Huskies were firmly in control with a 10-0 lead.

In the second quarter, HCU's punt took an unexpected bounce, hitting a Prairie View player and landing in the waiting arms of Caleb King at the Panther's 36-yard line. This fortunate turn of events gifted HCU with prime field position, and it only took them five plays to find the end zone. Valenzuela displayed his power with a five-yard rushing touchdown, extending the Huskies' lead to 17-0. The HCU defense continued to shine, forcing another three-and-out, which set the stage for RJ Smith's 22-yard dash to the end zone. At halftime, the Huskies were cruising with a commanding 24-0 lead.

The third and fourth quarters saw Dillon Fedor add two more field goals, from 21 and 26 yards, respectively, to pad HCU's lead. Meanwhile, the defense continued to stifle Prairie View, limiting them to a meager 42 yards of offense in the second half.

HCU's offensive output was nothing short of impressive, accumulating a total of 445 yards. They maintained a balanced attack, with 246 rushing yards and 199 through the air. RJ Smith emerged as the standout with his first 100-yard rushing game of his career, amassing 108 yards on 14 carries, and notching a touchdown. Smith's achievement marked the third time this season that a Husky running back has rushed for over 100 yards, joining the ranks of Champ Dozier and Darryle Evans. Valenzuela also made his presence felt with a touchdown and 87 yards on 13 carries, while Suits contributed with 58 rushing yards on six carries.

In the passing game, Colby Suits was in command, completing 19 of 28 attempts for 166 yards and one touchdown. Suits showcased his versatility by connecting with ten different receivers, with Karl Reynolds leading the pack with five receptions.

Defensively, the Huskies stood tall, allowing Prairie View a mere yard per rushing attempt, holding them to a paltry 20 yards on 22 carries. Prairie View's quarterback, Trazon Connley, struggled against the relentless HCU defense, going 12-of-19 for just 90 yards. Xavier McIntyre was the standout defender for HCU, racking up 10 tackles, including one for a loss. Rodney Dansby, Devion Hargrove, Zae Smith, and Judas McKenzie all contributed solo sacks, and the Huskies collectively amassed seven tackles for loss. Safety Caleb Flagg showcased his skills with his second career interception, returning the ball for 23 yards.

With a bye week ahead, HCU will have time to rest and regroup before their next challenge. On October 28th, they'll face Texas A&M-Commerce at Husky Stadium.