By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
EMPORIA, Kan. – Fort Hays State fell to Emporia State by a score of 42-14 on Saturday (Oct. 29) at Welch Stadium. The Tigers are now 2-7 on the season, while the Hornets improved to 7-2.
The Tigers struggled from the start, going 3-and-out on their first three drives of the game. The Hornets countered with touchdowns on their first three drives, taking a 21-0 lead by the 4:42 mark of the first quarter.
After finally picking up a first down on their fourth drive of the game, the Tigers hit the Hornets with a 60-yard touchdown pass from Jack Dawson to Cale Cormaney. The Tigers trailed by 14 heading into the second quarter.
The Hornet offense continued its strong start to the game, scoring another pair of touchdowns to extend their lead to 35-7 by the 8:48 mark of the second quarter, the eventual halftime tally. The Hornets scored touchdowns on their first five drives of the game, but eventually punted on their last two possessions of the first half.
Each team scored a touchdown in the third quarter to cap the scoring for the game. The Tigers picked up their touchdown on a 13-yard pass from Dawson to Manny Ramsey.
The Tigers threw for 248 yards in the game, with 202 from Dawson and 46 from Ethan Forrester. Manny Ramseycaught six passes for 66 yards and the one score, moving up to second all-time in receptions at FHSU with 171 and third alone in receiving touchdowns with 22. He now has over 2,500 receiving yards in his career. Adrian Sotofinished with 67 yards rushing. Defensively, Makel Williams led the Tigers with nine tackles, while Blake Davisand Mason Perez followed with seven each.
Braden Gleason completed 30-of-37 passes for the Hornets and threw for 297 yards with four touchdowns. Jaylen Varner led ESU in receiving yards with 96. Kingsley Bennett ran for 65 yards, while Billy Ross, Jr. ran for both ESU touchdowns on the ground. Derrick Maxwell, Declan Haub, and Dawson Hammes tied for the Hornet lead in tackles with eight each.
Fort Hays State plays its final home game of the season next week against Northeastern State. Kickoff for Senior Day at Lewis Field Stadium will be 1 p.m. on Saturday (Nov. 5).