Story by CAYDEN SANDERS Photos by ANNABELLE MALSAM and PARKER NISBETH
Tiger Media Network
In their second home game in as many weeks, the Fort Hays State University football team returned to Lewis Field after last week’s homecoming win over Central Missouri. While the Tigers’ energy to end last week’s game was high, FHSU opened Saturday’s game against Washburn by giving up an eight-play touchdown drive midway through the first quarter that spanned 83 yards.
However, the Tigers responded by scoring 38 straight points, cruising to a 38-7 victory to remain undefeated at home.
“I wished we would have come out in the first half like we did in the second half, I thought we came out a little flat,” FHSU Head Coach Chris Brown said. “Defensively, Washburn has shown us all year with motions and they didn’t do that today. Offensively we did not know what they would show us.”
After Washburn (1-5, 1-4) scored on a touchdown pass from Sam Van Dyne to Tre Richardson, FHSU (5-2, 3-2) answered with a touchdown pass from Caleb Heavner to Jayden Horace.
With offense still hard to come by for both teams, FHSU broke the tie with just over a minute remaining in the first half on a 52-yard field goal from Carson Arndt, setting a new personal best. Arndt’s previous long field goal was 46 yards, which came last week against Central Missouri.
“I felt good about it, Carson’s (Arndt) legs are strong. He was ready to go, he had that confidence from getting the opportunity,” Brown said. “If he knows he can make it, you have to give him that opportunity.”
After Washburn punted on their first drive of the second half, the Tigers broke the game open, scoring twice in just over one minute of game time. Heavner shoveled a pass to Cale Cormany for an eight-yard touchdown.
Washburn went three-and-out on their next drive and the Tigers wasted no time, scoring on a 73-yard touchdown pass from Heavner to Horace pushing the Tiger lead to 24-7.
“All week we were working on that play, we looked at the scheme of the defense and we knew that it was time,” Horace said. “Ross (Offensive Coordinator Tom Ross) called the play, and he trusted me to get it done.”
The Tigers’ offense came alive once again under Heavner, who threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns on 26-32 passing. He also rushed for 46 yards.
“I saw him have more patience, be a little bit quicker on his feet, and quit taking those sacks in certain situations,” Brown said. “He’s getting better every week, and I think the game is slowing down for him, and he’s making good throws so far.”
Horace led FHSU with 160 receiving yards on 10 catches and two touchdowns. Cormaney collected five receptions for 57 yards and one touchdown. On the ground, Shane Watts led FHSU with 72 yards and one touchdown. Joshua Clark also contributed a touchdown in the fourth quarter on the ground.
As a team, the FHSU defense accounted for four sacks along with six tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery and only allowed 208 yards of total offense with just 131 passing yards given up.
Individually Jaden Barker accounted for two sacks and two tackles for loss. Demetri Scott earned 1.5 sacks, and one shared sack with Gaven Haselhorst. Benyon Williams had seven tackles, while Mason Perez and John Johnson tied with six tackles.
Fort Hays State’s offense scored on all but four drives.
The Tigers next play No.7/No.4 Pittsburg State on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Carnie Smith Stadium – “The Jungle” – where the Gorillas are 2-1 this season.