By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Fort Hays State had a rash of turnovers that led to all of Missouri Western’s points on Saturday (Sept. 23). The Tigers fell by a score of 28-7, producing their only score of the game in the fourth quarter. FHSU is now 2-2 overall and 2-2 in the MIAA on the season, while Missouri Western improved to 3-1, 2-1 in the MIAA.
Missouri Western set the tone early when it intercepted a pass on the second play from scrimmage for the Tigers. The Griffons needed only 30 yards for their first touchdown, and scored on a one-yard run to cap a seven-play drive. On the next FHSU series, Missouri Western blocked a punt and recovered at the FHSU 3-yard line. Two plays later a two-yard rushing touchdown put the Griffons up 14-0, which would be the eventual halftime score.
A Tiger fumble on their own 8-yard line late in the third quarter created another very short field for the Griffons. They scored two plays after the turnover with an 8-yard touchdown pass. The Griffons led 21-0 going to the final quarter.
The Tigers finally found some footing offensively early in the fourth quarter with a couple of big plays to get into the red zone. A 14-yard pass, 15-yard pass interference call, and a 36-yard run by Shane Watts set up the Tigers’ only score of the game. Jack Dawson found Jayden Horace for an 8-yard touchdown pass with 10:02 to play.
A Makel Williams interception helped set up another Tiger drive that could have potentially made a one-score game with about three minutes to go, but a Tiger pass was intercepted in the endzone and taken all 100 yards back the other way for a Griffon touchdown.
The Tigers outgained the Griffons in total yards by nearly 100 yards, 331 to 237. But the five turnovers in the game were too much to overcome. The Tigers forced only two turnovers out of the Griffons, which included a Benyon Williams interception in the second quarter to go with Williams’ pick in the fourth quarter.
Dawson finished the game with 257 passing yards and one touchdown. Shane Watts led the Tigers in rushing with 57 yards. Cale Cormaney led in receiving with eight receptions for 82 yards. Sam Brandt and John Johnson led in tackles with nine each, while Brandt had the lone sack of the day for the Tigers.
Armani Edden led MWSU with 112 passing yards and one touchdown. Brandon Hall led the Griffons in rushing with 52 yards and Traveon James led in receiving yards with 36. Dakari Streeter was a disrupter on defense with eight tackles and three of seven sacks in the game by the Griffons. Brayden Wright had the 100-yard interception return.
The Tigers return to Hays to play their only non-conference game of the season next Saturday (Sept. 30). FHSU hosts Lincoln for Homecoming with kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Lewis Field Stadium.