After picking up one of the biggest wins in school history, the Fort Hays State University football team (3-2, 3-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) lost to Washburn University (2-3, 2-3 MIAA).
The Tigers saw their three-game win streak snapped in overtime with a final score of 27-24.
“We didn’t play well on either side of the ball,” said Chris Brown, head coach. “I thought defensively it was one of the worst performances we’ve had.”
The defense that held Pittsburg State (4-1,4-1 MIAA), one of the most prolific offenses in the MIAA, to just 240 yards of total offense and no touchdowns, gave up 426 yards of total offense to Washburn.
“The main thing is we just didn’t eliminate the big plays,” said linebacker Brock Long, Assaria junior.
To start the game off, the Tigers scored on their opening drive of the game for the second straight week in a 10 play 75 yard drive, in which every play was on the ground. Running back Edward Smith, Miami, Fla., senior, was able to get into the endzone for the first of his two scores on a 16 yard touchdown run.
The game would be tied on the next possession for Washburn as Zeke Palmer connected with Jordan Hart for a 69 yard strike down to the one yard line. Then Sean McPherson tied the game at 7-7 with the extra point.
Right before the first quarter ended, the Tigers took back the lead from Washburn after quarterback Treveon Albert, Atlanta, Ga., junior, hooking up wide receiver Ed Williams, Tampa, Fla., senior, on a 40 yard screen pass for a touchdown.
“We always run those screen passes in practices,” Williams said.
There would be no points scored in the second quarter.
After halftime, Washburn had 14 unanswered points, which included marching 99 yards down the field to take the 21-14 lead after stopping the Tigers on fourth and goal from the one.
“I thought there was no way they were going to drive 99 yards if we didn’t get that touchdown on fourth down and score on us, but they did,” Brown said.
After kicker Drew O’Brien, Hays junior, had a 40 yard punt that dashed out of bounds at the three yard line, the FHSU defense forced the Ichabods to go three-and-out and punt, setting the Tigers up for just 38 yards to go for the game tying score after wide receiver Garrison Hendricks, Montezuma senior, returned the punt 10 yards.
Injuring his ankle on the previous drive and under two minutes left in the game, Albert facilitated a drive that ended with an 11 yard touchdown pass to Smith, tying the game at 21-21 with 55 seconds left.
“As soon as I saw he was hurt and we scored the touchdown and got back to the sidelines, I just told him I was so proud of him,” Williams said. “He came back and fought through that injury and put us in position to win the game.”
The drive included a 15 yard pass by Albert, who was forced to hop out of bounds on one foot due to his injured ankle.
In overtime, the Tigers had the ball first and got inside the seven yard line on first down, but were only able to make it to the 3 yard line. This forced O’Brien to kick for a 20 yard field goal to give the Tigers a 24-21 lead.
Washburn ran a lead run play with Vershon Moore, who completed a 15 yard touchdown run for the game winning score.
“We had a couple missed tackles on that play and should have had him down at the 2 or 3 yard line, but we gave up a touchdown,” Long said. “It was just pursuit to the ball.”
Albert had his best game of the season going 20 for 32 for 217 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 93 yards on the ground.
Smith had 83 yards on the ground with a score and also had a score receiving as well.
Next week the Tigers have a homecoming game with Missouri Western State University (3-2, 3-2, MIAA), who will be coming off a 23-13 loss to Pittsburg State. Western was previously ranked no. 21 in the country.