The Colonels earned their third win of the season Saturday in a 31-7 blowout over the HCU Huskies at John L. Guidry Stadium.
Breaking Down the Game
The Colonels (3-6, 3-2 SLC) received the opening kick, putting their offense on the field first. The teams traded punts. The Colonels turned over on downs on their next possession.
On the ensuing Huskies (2-7, 1-4 SLC) drive, Colonels’ linebacker, Hayden Shaheen, intercepted Jake Weir’s pass and returned it 20 yards to the Huskies’ 24-yard line.
The Colonels ran a trick play, Ean Rodrigue threw a backwards pass to Shane Lee, who connected with Paxton Lafont in the endzone. Colonels ahead 7-0.
The Next drive for the Huskies began with a 21-yard run from Darryle Evans, but a strong stand from the defense put the Huskies on fourth down. Weir attempted another pass, but Laurence Sullivan Jr. intercepted it.
The Colonels did a mix of passes and runs on the next drive. On third down, Rodrigue broke a 37-yard run to end the first quarter. Rodrigue finished the drive with a touchdown from five yards out, extending the lead to 14-0 to start the second quarter.
On the next drive, Sullivan Jr. caught his second interception of the game on the Huskies’ second play, setting up Gabe Showalter for a 29-yard field goal to extend the lead to 17.
After punts by both teams, the Huskies received the ball with a little over a minute in the half. They were moving the ball down the field, and a big catch by Kyle Koontz set them up at the Colonels’ 31-yard line. Back-up quarterback Maddox Kopp looked to pass again, but Anthony Rogers III intercepted it to end the half.
The Huskies got on the board with a rushing touchdown from Xai’Shaun Edwards, to cut the lead to 10.
On the Colonels’ next drive, Scrappy Osby made an amazing one-handed catch to extend the drive on third down. Everett Hunter capped the drive with a receiving touchdown, extending the lead back to 17.
On the next drive, Keith Wheeler caught a 45-yard pass to set up a field goal attempt for Charlie Weinrich. He missed the kick, and Rogers III returned the ball to the Colonels’ 30-yard line.
On the first play of the next drive, Rodrigue connected with Kylin Wheeler for a 53-yard completion to end the third quarter. Rodrigue found Dany’e Brooks for an 11-yard score to increase the lead to 31-7, where it stayed for the rest of the game.
Strong Defensive Stand
Head Coach Tommy Rybacki’s defensive unit has been elite all season, forcing nine turnovers in the first three games. That defense had another phenomenal showing, forcing four turnovers and holding the Huskies to just 110 rushing yards. If the defense is playing like this and the offense complements them, they are a very difficult team to beat.
Offensive Efficiency
The Colonels’ offense has been their weak point this season. It’s been a different story the past two weeks.
They rushed for 212 yards today after having over 300 rushing yards last week. The team benefited greatly from the addition of Rodrigue to the starting lineup. Rodrigue led all rushers with 89 yards and a touchdown. The added layer of Rodrigue’s legs has substantially improved the threat of the Colonels’ rushing offense.
The Colonels went 63% on third downs this week, a great improvement from the 31% season average. If the Colonels’ offense and defense can continue to play complementary football throughout the rest of the season, they can still compete in the conference.
