By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
PITTSBURG, Kan. – Fort Hays State never trailed until the final minute of the game against No. 7/4 ranked Pittsburg State on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 19). A late turnover gave the Gorillas a short field to work with an they took advantage scoring a touchdown with a minute left, flipping a 17-12 FHSU lead into an 18-17 result for the Gorillas. Pitt State moved to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the MIAA, while FHSU moved to 5-3 overall, 3-3 in the MIAA.
Fort Hays State scored the first points of the game when Shane Watts broke free for a 54-yard touchdown run at the 3:06 mark of the first quarter. The Gorillas would counter with a pair of field goals in the second quarter from 49 and 27 yards by Gentry Cole. The Tigers held a 7-6 advantage at halftime.
The Tigers extended their lead to 14-6 with a long 11-play, 80-yard drive for a touchdown, capped on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Heavner to Jayden Horace. The drive chewed up 6:36 on the clock and the touchdown came at the 3:45 mark of the third quarter. However, Pittsburg State responded with a 32-yard rushing touchdown to cut back into the lead. FHSU led 14-12 heading to the fourth quarter.
Fort Hays State put its final points on the board with 8:39 to play on a 29-yard field goal by Carson Arndt. The Tigers were up 17-12 with possession of the ball just inside of three minutes to play when a tipped pass was intercepted and gave the Gorillas the ball at the FHSU 21. The Gorillas needed six plays before reaching the endzone on a 5-yard touchdown pass to flip the game in their favor 18-17. FHSU picked up one first down on their final drive before turning the ball over on downs with 18 seconds to play.
The Tiger defense played well throughout the afternoon, stopping two Pittsburg State drives inside the 10 yard line, which included a forced fumble and an interception.
The Tigers held the Gorillas to 377 yards of total offense, but only produced 288 against the MIAA’s top defense. Heavner threw for 173 yards, while Watts rushed for 98. Watts went over 100 all-purpose yards for the seventh time in eight games this season. Makel Williams led the Tiger defense with 12 tackles, while Kobe Rome had a key interception.
The Tigers return to Hays for their final home game of the season next Saturday (Oct. 26). They host Missouri Southern at 1 p.m. It will be Senior Day and the annual Hall of Fame Game.