By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
Fort Hays State rolled to a 68-point win in a non-conference game against Lincoln on Homecoming at Lewis Field Stadium. The Tigers scored 30 points in the first quarter on their way to a convincing final of 71-3. The Tigers are now 3-2 overall, while Lincoln fell to 0-5. It marked the 10th straight win for FHSU over LU.
The tone for a big opening quarter was set when Lincoln threw an interception on the first play from scrimmage, returned 29 yards by Jaxon Kolzow to set up a 31-yard field for the Tigers. They scored their first touchdown four plays later on a two-yard run by Shane Watts. The Tigers then forced a 3-and-out on the next Lincoln drive and then three plays later, Jack Dawson found Jayden Horace for a 39-yard touchdown pass. The Tigers led 14-0 just over five minutes into the game.
Later in the first quarter, Travis Dixon hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Dawson. Lincoln went 3-and-out again, and then had their punt blocked that went out of the back of the endzone for a safety. Just before the end of the quarter, Horace hauled in another touchdown pass from Dawson, this time from 30 yards to make it 30-0 in favor of FHSU.
The Tigers added on 17 points in the second quarter to hold a 47-0 halftime lead. Ja’Quan Tillis joined the touchdown party with a two-yard run, then Dawson had a 28-yard scamper to the endzone on a keeper. Carson Arndt added a 27-yard field goal as the first half expired.
Caleb Heavner gave the Tigers another quarterback rushing touchdown early in the third quarter with a 67-yard sprint up the right sideline. Moments later, the Blue Tigers coughed up the ball on the kick return, caused by Logan Heigele and picked up by Michael Polley for a 22-yard scoop and score. Heigele found the ball once more later in the quarter when Heavner connected with him for a 61-yard touchdown pass. FHSU led 68-0 going to the fourth quarter.
The teams traded field goals in the final frame. Lincoln picked up its only points of the game on a 30-yard field goal by Mo Alwaely. Carson Arndt added his second field goal of the game from 29 yards with 4:04 remaining making the eventual final of 71-3. It was the second straight home game the Tigers scored over 70 against Lincoln after a 72-0 win back in 2021.
The Tigers finished with 582 yards of total offense, a new season high, to just 141 by Lincoln. Dawson finished with 252 yards passing, completing 14-of-18 attempts with a hand in four touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing). Jayden Horace was the top receiver by yards with 91 to go with his two trips to the endzone. Heavner was a perfect 3-of-3 passing for 94 yards, having a hand in two touchdowns (1 passing, 1 rushing). He also led the team in rushing with 68 yards on two attempts. The Tigers gained 346 yards through the air and a season-high 236 on the ground. Kaleb Pillow led the Tigers in tackles with seven, while Parrish Terry had three tackles for loss.
Fort Hays State returns to MIAA play next week on the road at Missouri Southern. Game time is set for 2 p.m. next Saturday (Oct. 7) in Joplin.