Garden City suffers first shutout loss in 12 years

Garden City, KS-Not sure anyone saw this coming. 

Jalen Daniels threw four interceptions including two backbreaking red-zone picks, Adonis Coyle booted through a 20-yard field goal in the third quarter, and Highland handed Garden City its first shutout loss in 12 years with a 3-0 victory Saturday afternoon at Broncbuster Stadium. Garden City dropped to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play.  

Daniels, who was supposed to be Tom Minnick's starter in 2022 before accepting a walk-on opportunity behind Spencer Rattler at South Carolina, had his worst day as a collegiate starter. He was 22-of-38 for 145 yards completing almost as many passes to the Scotties defense as he did to his leading receiver Demond Demas.   

Yet, despite all of that, the game was there for the taking. Garden City reached the red zone on three separate occasions, the first of which came early in the second quarter, when the Broncbusters marched 68 yards in 14 plays. But on third-and-5 at the Highland 12, Daniels threw a pass right to Highland defensive back Dominique Stevenson, who had inside leverage on Demas at the 6. On their ensuing possession, Garden City reached the 2-yard line before Daniels was stuffed by Jerome Simmons on fourth-and-goal. Then, down three in the final period, the freshman quarterback was picked off in the end zone by Eddie Whipple.  

As crazy as it sounds, Highland won this game despite producing just eight yards on the ground on 24 carries. In fact, the Scotties had just 184 total yards and were 2-of-13 on third down. But DJ Mayo's team took advantage of four Garden City turnovers compounded with 11 penalties for 104 yards.  

On their second possession of the third quarter, quarterback Tysan Robbins threw what looked like a beautiful 35-yard touchdown pass. But after review, referee, Beau Ragsdale ruled that Benson Prosper lost the ball before he completed the catch. That was eventually followed by Coyle's 25-yard field goal, which was wiped off the board when Garden City's Bryce Butler was called for leaping over the line. Four plays later, Coyle was summoned again; this time connecting on a 20-yard kick that gave Highland a 3-0 lead with 4:09 left in the third.  

The killer mistake though for Garden City came on their final drive. With one last ditch effort to at least force overtime, Daniels drove the Broncbusters from their own 6 to the Highland 49. But on second down, his pass over the middle was snagged by Malik Franklin, putting an end to one of the most frustrating offensives days in recent memory.  

The Broncbusters, which were shutout for the first time since a 37-0 loss to Butler in 2011, outgained Highland 301-184 and held the ball for nearly 33 minutes. Demas caught seven balls for 53 yards, and Blake recorded a season-best 10 tackles. 

Robbins finished 19-of-35 for 176 yards and one pick for Highland, which beat Garden City for only the seventh time in 38 all-time meetings. It was their first win over the Broncbusters since 2013, snapping a nine-game skid.