SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The No. 3-ranked Hutchinson Community College football team opened the 2024 season on Thursday with a 42-10 win over New Mexico Military Institute at Gowans Stadium.
Waymond Jordan Jr. rushed for 179 yards on 14 carries and two scores, while Derrick Salley Jr. caught two passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns.
The Blue Dragons offense accounted for 502 yards of total offense, the most since Sept. 2, 2023, when HutchCC posted 525 yards.
Jordan Jr. found the end-zone from 26 yards out on a third-and-one play to score the first points of the season at the 7:29 mark in the first quarter.
Hutchinson found the end-zone just over three minutes later when Samari Collier found Ja'Cory Thomas for a 68-yard touchdown pass to in front 14-0 with 4:12 left in the first period.
Salley Jr. pushed the lead to three scores on a one-handed grab in the end-zone with 2:16 to play in quarter one.
The Blue Dragons brought in backup quarterback Christian Johnson to the game in the second period. Johnson found Salley Jr. down the left sideline for a 41-yard connection to go in front 28-0.
Jordan Jr. (54-yard run), Johnson (eight-yard run) score the final two touchdowns of the night for the Blue Dragons.
NMMI scored its lone touchdown in the third quarter on a nine-yard passing play. The Broncos added a 26-yard field goal with 4:44 to play in the fourth quarter to score the games final play.
Hutch will travel to Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Saturday, Sept. 7 for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Titan Stadium. Iowa Western is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation.
HutchCC is now 56-35-2 all-time in season openers and have won three straight. The Blue Dragons are now 4-0 all-time against NMMI.