Fort Hays State University fell to 10th-ranked Northwest Missouri State in Hays on Saturday by a score of 29-10. The Tigers moved to 4-4 overall, 4-4 in the MIAA with the loss, while the defending national champs improved to 7-1 overall, 7-1 in the MIAA.
Even though the Bearcats led just 7-3 at halftime, the Tigers never threatened much on offense. Northwest Missouri held FHSU to just 85 yards and three first downs through the first three quarters. The Tigers had a net of zero yards rushing on 19 carries by the end of the third quarter. NWMSU led 15-3 through three quarters and then put the game away by outscoring FHSU 14-3 in the final quarter.
The Tigers had a chance to keep the game interesting for a long time as the defense held the top offense in the MIAA to just 183 total yards and seven points in the first half. The seven points came on the opening drive of the game for NWMSU, but FHSU kept the Bearcats off the board until 8:53 remaining in the third quarter. Micheal Jordan had a key interception late in the first half to stop the Bearcats from driving deep into Tiger territory.
The Bearcats extended their lead after the half on a Brady Bolles 7-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to make it 13-3, but the extra-point failed. FHSU put up a goal line stand late in the third quarter, but allowed a safety pinned up against its own endzone, making it 15-3. NWMSU scored touchdowns with 14:35 and 13:15 remaining in the game to make it 29-3. FHSU scored late on a 32-yard touchdown run by Treveon Albert to make the eventual final of 29-10.
The Bearcats finished with 449 yards of total offense compared to 186 for FHSU. Treveon Albert finished with 98 passing yards and a team-high 56 rushing yards. Ed Williams caught six passes for 83 yards. Brock Long and Justin McPhail tied for a team-high 13 tackles. Long recorded 1.5 sacks in the game.
Brady Bolles led NWMSU with 168 passing yards, while Cameron Wilcox had a team-high 103 rushing yards. Korey Jackson was the top NWMSU receiver with 51 yards on four catches.
The Tigers head to Kearney, Neb., next week to face Nebraska-Kearney. Game time will be announced early next week.