BY MAKENNA ALLEN
The Fort Hays State University Tigers’ third game of the season against the Washburn University Ichabods started out slow. However, the Tigers ultimately prevailed over their in-state rival, 30-24. The Tigers’ first drive earned them only 1 yard, but following a successful field goal attempt by the Ichabods that put them in the lead, the Tigers quickly gained momentum.
Tiger running back, Charles Tigner, drove up the middle for a gain of 13 yards just prior to FHSU quarterback, Jacob Mezera’s 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Harley Hazlett.
With the Tigers now in the lead, 7-3, the team continued to gain momentum after a Mezera pass to running back, D.J. Hickman, which resulted in a 4-yard touchdown. Hickman’s first career touchdown increased the Tigers’ lead until the first quarter ended with the home team on top, 14-3.
Washburn started the second quarter strong as quarterback, Blake Peterson, rushed 42-yards down the field in one of the biggest plays of the game. Shortly after, Washburn completed an eight-yard drive with Peterson’s touchdown pass to wide receiver, Jake Horner, for a 20-yard touchdown.
Fort Hays quickly had the ball in Ichabod territory. After a successful 43-yard field goal attempt by kicker, Dante Brown, a roughing the kicker penalty on the play allowed the Tigers to clear the points from the board for a first down at the 13-yard line.
Two plays later, Tigner ran the ball two yards into the end zone. After Brown’s kick was blocked, the Tigers maintained a lead of 20-10.
By the end of the second quarter, Washburn gained momentum with 2 sacks just before halftime. One of these sacks was by linebacker, Austin Tillman, who leads the nation in tackles.
Despite these successes, Tigers’ defensive back, Connor Shedeed, intercepted Peterson’s pass 13-seconds before the end of the half.
Fort Hays rushed into the second half of the game with a drive down the field that ultimately led to Brown’s successful 42-yard field goal attempt.
The Tigers had 2 sacks and ended the third quarter with a 13-point lead.
During the fourth quarter, Peterson went down after a sack and limped off the field. In the process, he fumbled the ball that was recovered by Fort Hays defensive lineman, Sheldon Schmidt.
The Tigers scored yet again on the following drive with Mezera’s 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end, Jacoby Williams.
Fort Hays had scored 16 unanswered points and held a lead of 30-10 until the Ichabods, with Mitch Schurig as quarterback, began a drive towards the Tiger endzone. After a seven play drive of 65 yards, running back, Hunter Browning, rushed the final yard into endzone.
Despite the fact that Peterson had not yet returned to the field by the final minutes of the game, Washburn continued to close the gap in the score as Tillman intercepted Mezera’s pass for a pick-six.
With Washburn closing in on Fort Hays in the final minutes of the game that had a score of 30- 24, fans held their breath as the Tigers sought to maintain their lead.
Ultimately, the team fought their way to victory against Washburn University for the second year in a row. After Fort Hays’ loss to Missouri Western last weekend, the team now holds a record of 2-1.
Head Coach Chris Brown expressed his pride in his team for their success.
“I thought we played better, still not up to my standards yet. I told them that in the locker room. The expectations are higher. We need to play more physical,” Brown said. “But you know, we won the game. We found a way to win the game and I’m just excited for these kids. They bounced back from a loss last week and got after it this weekend.”
Brown also shared his belief that if the players dedicate themselves fully to the program, the future of the team appears bright.
“If these kids really hone into what we’re teaching them, really buy into what we’re doing, tonight was just a little piece of what we could be. We could be really good. It comes down to them.”
Brown hopes to develop this mentality within his players by instilling a sense of responsibility for their individual success.
So, it is with this plan of action that the Fort Hays State University Tigers football team marches on towards the fourth game of the season, set to take place next Saturday, Sept. 22, against Missouri Southern State University.