By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
Fort Hays State held the lead for nearly 43 minutes on Saturday (Oct. 30) at Lewis Field Stadium only to see Emporia State race back in the final six minutes to erase a potential shutout and overtake the Tigers in the game’s final minute. The Hornets (5-4) escaped from Hays with a 15-12 decision after the Tigers led 12-0 with 6:20 remaining in the game.
Both teams struggled to get their offenses going throughout the game as Fort Hays State held just a 3-0 lead at halftime. Parker Janky knocked through a 25-yard field goal with 14:06 to go in the second quarter for the first half’s only score.
Fort Hays State was the first to advance the ball out of its own territory in the third quarter after seven consecutive drives by both teams failed to cross the 50. But the Tigers had to settle for another field goal from 21 yards out by Janky with 20 seconds remaining in the frame. FHSU led 6-0 going into the fourth quarter.
The Tigers looked to have full control in the fourth quarter when they marched 81 yards in 15 plays as Adrian Soto capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. They chewed up 7:27 on the clock and held a 12-0 lead with 6:20 to go in the game. The two-point conversion effort failed, which turned out to be big in the end.
Emporia State failed to cross midfield and punted the ball on its first five possessions of the second half. However, when they needed to rally late, they found the gear they needed with their hurry-up offense. Starting at their own 25, the Hornets picked up a pair of first downs to get in FHSU territory, and picked up another before Canaan Brooks broke free for a 23-yard touchdown run. That gave the Hornets hope with 3:53 remaining, and the Tigers failed to put the game away on offense.
The Tigers went 3-and-out on their ensuing offensive possession and then a 25-yard punt gave the Hornets a very manageable field starting at their own 46. A pair of Tiger penalties, roughing the passer and pass interference spotted the Hornets 30 more yards early in the drive and they moved the ball inside the 10 with 1:39 to go. Brooks turned out to be the go-to man for the Hornets again, reversing field after catching a pass about 11 yards from the end zone on the left side of the hash marks. He raced to the right side of the field and reached the endzone before a Tiger could catch him. Brooks finished with 113 all-purpose yards for ESU as he led his team in rushing with 90 yards. The Hornets made a 2-point conversion and took the lead 15-12 with 58 seconds remaining.
The Tigers managed to get the ball to the ESU 40, but a tipped pass on 4th-and-4 sealed the game for the Hornets.
Soto had another big day for the Tigers offensively with 201 all-purpose yards. He had 94 rushing yards, 83 receiving yards, and 24 kick return yards. Keylan Chapman also had a solid day running the ball for the Tigers with 79 yards on the ground. Chance Fuller finished with just 148 passing yards, completing 13-of-28 attempts. Myles Menges led the Tiger defense with 12 tackles, followed by Tyler Cummings with 11 and John Johnson with 10. Jordan Starks had his second interception of the season to keep the Hornets scoreless in the first half.
Emporia State’s Braden Gleason threw for 170 yards, completing 27-of-41 attempts. Corey Thomas was his top receiver with seven catches for 60 yards. Cade Harelson and Dawson Hammes led the Hornets with 12 tackles each, while Gee Stanley had 10.
Fort Hays State (4-5) will return to action next Saturday (Nov. 6) at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Kickoff is set for 1 pm.