Hutchinson CC Sports Information
Trailing 31-7 to No. 2 Iowa Western in the mist falling at Gowans Stadium, the Hutchinson Community College football team was looking for any kind of spark life on Saturday.
Sophomore Jaylen Erwin provided that spark and the Blue Dragons responded with 17 unanswered points to make it a one-possession game.
But Hutchinson's comeback effort came up nine points shy and the No. 11 Blue Dragons fell 33-24 to Iowa Western. The Blue Dragons were looking for a second-straight victory over a Top-5 nationally ranked opponent.
The Blue Dragons are now 2-1 as they head back into conference play next Saturday against Fort Scott in a Noon kickoff at Gowans Stadium. Iowa Western improves to 3-0.
Hutchinson took a 7-0 lead on Khalil McClain's 60-yard touchdown catch from Mason Schucker with 7:44 to play in the first quarter. The Reivers slowly started to seize momentum and trailed 7-3 after one quarter. T.J. Starks' 1-yard sneak with 13:50 to play in the second period gave IWCC its first lead at 10-3. Then three Clay Beathard-to-Marcell Barbee touchdown passes boosted the Reiver grip to 31-7 with 3:23 to play in the third quarter.
Moments later, Erwin ignited the Blue Dragons. Erwin broke loose for a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown with 6 seconds left in the third to cut the Dragon deficit to 31-14.
Just 3 minutes later, Schucker connected with Marquis Whitmire for a 34-yard touchdown with 12:42 to go to cut the IWCC lead to 31-21. Sebastian Garcia added a 28-yard field goal with 6:26 to go and the Dragons made it a one-possession game at 31-24.
After a Reiver punt pinned the Blue Dragons at their own 2. Iowa Western's Morris Joseph tackled Johnathan white in the end zone for a safety and the Reivers led 33-24 with 3:11 to go.
The Blue Dragons had a season-high three turnovers that Iowa Western cashed in for 14 points. Hutch also forced a season-low two takeovers.
Hutchinson was out-gained 495-340 on Saturday, gaining just 160 total yard through three quarters.
The Dragons rushed for a season-low 16 yards. Dezmon Jackson had a team-high 59 yards on 20 carries.
Schucker completed 27 of 45 passes for 324 yards – all career highs for the Dragon freshman. Jalik Jaggwe caught a career-high 11 passes for 69 yards. McClain had five receptions for 78 yards and Erwin had a season-high three catches for 61 yards.
Erwin had 159 all-purpose yards on Saturday.
Iowa Western's Beathard was 19 of 31 for 296 yards and three scores. Barbee made five grabs for 117 yards and three touchdowns.