Football Earns Huge Victory Over OPSU
GOODWELL, OK- In a game that encompassed a weather delay of two hours and 45 minutes, the Hastings College football team was able to leave Oklahoma with a momentous 26-17 road win over the (RV) Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies on Saturday.
The Broncos (2-0) started the game with the ball, but a 3-and-out forced an early punt. The Aggies (0-1) also did not have much luck in their first drive as in the second play, Tyler Parthemer (SR/Beatrice, NE) forced a fumble that was recovered by Alex Allen (SR/St. Paul, NE).
Hastings was unable to capitalize on the fumble as a 41-yard field goal went short and kept it a scoreless ballgame.
It was the defense that shined again against the Aggies with another 3-and-out to get the offense back on the field. Clark Livingston (SR/San Juan Capistrano, CA) and Co. showed their appreciation on their next drive as Livingston connected with Tyree Nesmith (SO/Baltimore, MD) with 34-yard and a 13-yard passes to get Hastings in the red zone. Tahj Willingham (SR/Denver, CO) took the reins with an 18-yard rush before a false start put Hastings back. Willingham was able to get two rushes, including a 1-yard touchdown rush. Alex Stogdill (SR/Lincoln, NE) drilled the PAT to put Hastings ahead 7-0.
Oklahoma Panhandle finished the first quarter with a drive to the 7-yard line. On the first play of the second quarter, OPSU's Villarreal booted a 24-yard field goal to make it a 7-3 lead for the Broncos.
Hastings was able to set Stogdill up with 41-yard field goal attempt, but the Aggies were able to block the attempt and take it 70 yards for a touchdown and a 10-7 lead with 11:26 left in the first half.
The Broncos had one more drive and punted it before the weather forced a delay. It was not until 10 p.m.- four hours after the game started- that the game resumed. On their first drive from the delay, the Aggies were able to add to their lead with an 11-yard passing touchdown to make it a 17-7 lead.
In an answer to the Aggies, Hastings got the ball downfield quickly on the next drive, capped with a 6-yard Livingston pass to Jordan Johnson (SR/Spring Valley, CA), but a missed PAT made it a 17-13 lead for OPSU.
In their first drive of the second half, Hastings was able to get into the red zone to give Stogdill another chance at a field goal, this time a 31-yard attempt, one that Stogdill hit with ease to make it 17-16.
At the 1:33 mark of the third quarter, Hastings got the ball on the HC 34-yard line, but Nesmith's three plays- one rush, two passes- for 38 yards and a pass interference call got Hastings to the OPSU 13-yard line. The Broncos were not able to get a touchdown, but were able to settle with a 24-yard field goal to put the Broncos ahead 19-17.
With a 19-17 lead and 10:13 left in the game, Hastings looked to do two things; bleed the clock and pad their lead. On the drive, Hastings did both. Livingston was able to spread the wealth to Willingham, Calvin LynCook II (SR/Omaha, NE), Hagen Tucker (SR/Longview, TX), and Johnson to bleed the clock before Livingston took the ball himself for a 3-yard rushing touchdown and Stogdill hit the PAT to give Hastings a 26-17 lead with 4:11 left in the game.
Another key defensive showing for the Broncos got a 3-and-out from the Aggies and got the ball back to the offense. The Broncos offense was able to get a few plays in before Livingston was able to take a knee to end the game and finish the Broncos 26-17 win over (RV) Oklahoma Panhandle State.
Hastings as a team, despite trailing for most of the game, was in command. Hastings had 29 first downs compared to OPSU's 11. Hastings also outgained OPSU in total yards (438-262), passing yards (252-142), and rushing yards (186-120).
Livingston, Willingham, Johnson, and Nesmith all lead the Broncos on offense. Livingston went 22-for-41 on pass attempts with one interception, 252 passing yards, and 186 rushing yards, 12 of those yards being his own with a touchdown. Willingham had 137 rushing yards, 17 receiving yards, and a touchdown. Johnson had 79 receiving yards and a touchdown. Nesmith had 66 receiving yards, 36 rushing yards.
The Broncos will have next weekend to rest before they start conference play in Sioux City, Iowa, where they take on the Briar Cliff Chargers on September 15th. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CST.
