INDY STUNS BLUE DRAGONS IN FINAL SECONDS AT GOWANS

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

One week ago at Garden City, the Hutchinson Community College football team had a dream of a fourth quarter as the Blue Dragons rallied to defeat the Broncbusters.

Saturday at Gowans Stadium, the fourth quarter turned into a nightmare for the Blue Dragons.

No. 3 Independence rallied from 14 points down, scoring the final 19 points of the game over the final 15 minutes, 19 seconds, scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 6 seconds to go to defeat the No. 13 Blue Dragons 33-28.

The Blue Dragons fell to 2-3 overall and 2-3 in the Jayhawk Conference. Hutchinson plays the final two games of the regular season on the road, starting next Saturday at Highland. Independence is now 6-0 overall and 5-0 in the Jayhawk Conference.

Independence won at Gowans Stadium for the first time since 2016.

Hutchinson led 21-7 after one quarter and took a 28-14 lead on an Anwar Lewis 31-yard touchdown run with 5:36 to play in the third quarter.

Back-up quarterback Tyriq Starks led the Independence comeback, going 15 of 22 for 251 yards and threw for three touchdown passes.

After the Blue Dragons took their 14-point lead, Independence scored on 5 of its final 6 possessions to overtake Hutchinson.

The Pirates pulled within 28-26 after a Brandon Gielow field goal with 5:38 to play, the Blue Dragons picked up two first downs and drove from their own 12 to the 42 before punting to the Pirate 24 with 49 seconds to play. Facing 3rd and 10, Starks completed a 13-yard pass to pick up a first down. Starks then hit Deontay Wilson over the middle, who broke a couple of tackles and then worked his way down the sideline for a 53-yard touchdown with 6 seconds remaining for a 33-28 lead.

The Blue Dragons were stung for 181 total yards by the Pirates in the fourth quarter and for 409 total yards for the game. Hutchinson allowed a season-worst 346 passing yards.

Hutchinson lost the turnover battle 3-1. Independence outscored Hutchinson 13-0 in points off turnovers. The Pirates also had three quarterback sacks.

Hutchinson became the first time this season to rush for 100 yards, going for 127 yards. Lewis had his third-straight 100-yard rushing game, going for 123 yards on 28 carries.

Quarterback Dylan Laible was 18 of 24 for 258 yards and three touchdowns.

Freshman Malik Benson had career highs of seven catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. Cortez Braham had three receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown.

The Blue Dragons amassed 385 total yards (127 rushing, 258 passing).

Ja'Mez Drummer had eight tackles and two quarterback sacks to lead the Blue Dragons defensively. Terry Kirksey grabbed his first career interception for Hutchinson's only takeaway of the game.

Hutchinson got off to a great start scoring three times in the opening quarter, all on Laible touchdown passes – 18 yards to Demaiyon Houston, 40 yards to Benson and 27 yards to Braham. The Blue Dragons outgained the Pirates 148-57 in the opening quarter.

The teams traded third-quarter touchdowns. Lewis' 31-run run with 5:36 to play in the third quarter gave the Blue Dragons a 28-14 lead.

GAME NOTES – This was the first loss by the Blue Dragons in five games against NJCAA ranked teams under second-year head coach Drew Dallas. … The Blue Dragons lead the all-time series with Independence 56-24-5, including 33-10-2 at Gowans Stadium. … This was the third time the Blue Dragons allowed 400 or more yards of total offense.