By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
JOPLIN, Mo. – Fort Hays State cruised to a 55-20 win at Missouri Southern on Saturday evening, improving to 3-1 overall for the season. The No. 18/14 ranked Tigers racked up 653 yards of total offense, doing the majority of their scoring damage in the first three quarters of the game.
The Tiger offense scored on its second play from scrimmage, a 55-yard touchdown run by Charles Tigner, and never looked back. The Tigers eventually led 52-6 by the end of three quarters before the Lions picked up two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. A field goal in the fourth gave the Tigers a score in every frame. FHSU scored 21 in the first quarter, 14 in the second, 17 in the third, and three in the fourth.
Jacob Mezera was efficient, picking apart the Lion defense in the first half for 237 passing yards and four touchdowns. He completed 15-of-23 passes in the game and played only one series in the second half before yielding to Chance Fuller the rest of the night. It was a good chance for the redshirt-freshman signal caller to get more reps, who went on to complement Mezera’s performance with 168 passing yards on 10 completions with one touchdown. The pair combined for 405 passing yards.
Tigner was efficient in rushing for over 100 yards in the game, averaging 16.6 yards per carry. Along with his 55-yard touchdown run to open the scoring for FHSU, he also had runs of 32 and 21 yards in the game. He carried the ball just seven times for 116 yards. The Tigers churned out 248 yards on the ground as Isaiah Truss added 57, Isaiah Blackmon had 40, and D.J. Hickman tacked on 34.
Matt Wendelberger was the favorite target of Mezera in the first half, recording seven receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Four of his receptions went for more than 20 yards, while his touchdown receptions were from 21 and nine yards out. It was the second 100-plus yard receiving performance for Wendelberger this year and marked a new career high.
Manny Ramsey also had a big night catching the ball, recording five receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown. He led Tiger receivers in yards per catch in the game, averaging 22 per reception. His biggest gains went for 47 and 22 yards in the second half from Fuller, while his touchdown reception was from 15 yards out in the first quarter from Mezera.
Dante Brown was solid in the kicking game once again for the Tigers, connecting on field goals from 48 and 43 yards to go a perfect 2-of-2. He also punted the ball just three times in the game, but averaged 52 yards per attempt after booming a 65-yarder early in the game.
Tevin Evans led the tackling effort for FHSU with a career-high 14. Connor Shedeed also reached double figures with 10 in the game. Sheldon Schmidt recorded a team-best two sacks to go with nine total tackles in the game. Connor Shedeed, Hayden Kreutzer, and Tanner Hoekman all recorded interceptions in the game. The Tigers allowed 295 yards of total offense, but through three quarters surrendered just 165.
Dalton James led the Lions in rushing with 84 yards, while LeEarl Patterson led the team in passing with 85 yards and two touchdowns on just four completions. Justin Legier led the MSSU tackling effort with 15.
The Tigers return to Hays for Homecoming next Saturday, when they take on Central Oklahoma. Kickoff is set for 7 pm at Lewis Field Stadium on September 29. Central Oklahoma is coming off a 31-21 home win over No. 4 ranked Northwest Missouri State on Saturday night.