Big first half leads Tigers to win at Missouri Southern

By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION

JOPLIN, Mo. – Fort Hays State moved back to level overall at 2-2 with a 42-21 win at Missouri Southern on Saturday (Sept. 25). The Tigers racked up 273 of their 495 total yards on the ground, led by Adrian Soto’s 198-yard rushing performance. FHSU led by 28 at halftime, 35-7, before the final margin settled at 21.

Fresh off a 100-yard rushing performance last week in Hays, Soto nearly doubled that with his 198 yards on the ground against the Lions. His biggest run of the day was a 59-yard touchdown dash as time expired in the first quarter, which at the time put the Tigers up 14-7. Soto went on to finish with 267 all-purpose yards (198 rushing, 12 receiving, 57 kick return).

The Tigers never trailed in the game, going up 7-0 with a touchdown on the first drive of the game. Chance Fuller found Manny Ramsey for a 5-yard touchdown pass. The Lions, however, quickly responded with a 62-yard touchdown run by Nathan Glades to even the game at 7-7 just over four and a half minutes into the contest.

The 59-yard touchdown by Soto put the Tigers up for good, as they went on to score 21 more points in the second quarter and hold a commanding 35-7 lead at halftime. In the second quarter, Monterio Burchfield hauled in a 14-yard touchdown reception from Fuller, Voshon Waiters rushed for a 1-yard touchdown, and Alex Schremmer pulled in a 4-yard touchdown reception from Fuller. FHSU already had 343 of its 495 total yards in the game by halftime.

Fort Hays State’s lone touchdown of the second half was on a 6-yard run by Soto with 8:17 remaining in the game. The Lions produced 149 of their 320 total yards in the fourth quarter, which saw them reach the endzone twice.

Layke Heimerman led Tiger defenders with seven tackles, followed by Myles Menges with six. The pair accounted for half of Fort Hays State’s six pass breakups in the game.

Fuller finished the game completing 19 of 27 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns. Hunter Budke finished with 101 receiving yards on four catches. Ramsey had 51 receiving yards and Burchfield had 50.

The Tigers now prepare for a battle with nationally ranked and undefeated Nebraska-Kearney next Saturday (Oct. 2) in Hays in the annual Homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 7 pm at Lewis Field Stadium.