By GARRETT WELLBROCK
Tiger Media Network
PUEBLO, Colo. — Fort Hays State earned its highest-ranked win in program history Thursday night, holding off #5 CSU Pueblo 36-35 at the ThunderBowl after blocking a late extra point attempt.
The Tigers (1-1) trailed by 15 in the second quarter before rallying to take the lead with less than two minutes remaining. Playing through a steady downpour of rain, quarterback Caleb Heavner guided a 10-play, 66-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown run by Travis Dixon to put FHSU ahead 36-29.
CSU Pueblo (1-1) answered after a nearly 40-minute lightning delay, capping a quick drive with a two-yard touchdown pass from Roman Fuller with 27 seconds left. The ThunderWolves needed only an extra point to tie, but FHSU defensive lineman Taderian Partee blocked the kick to secure the Tigers’ first win over CSU Pueblo since 1978.
“We always talk about getting it done, no matter the conditions,” Heavner said. “We’ve got grit, and tonight we found enough rhythm on offense to make plays when we had to.”
The ThunderWolves built a 22-7 advantage in the second quarter behind Fuller, who completed his first nine passes and finished with 351 yards through the air. But the Tigers struck twice in the final minutes of the half — a 43-yard touchdown pass from Heavner to Cale Cormaney, then a last-second touchdown on a broken field-goal attempt when Wyatt Spexarth found Noah McDoulett after a mishandled snap.
Linebacker John Johnson, who led the Tigers with 13 tackles, said the defense regrouped after early breakdowns.
“It comes down to doing your job and not doing too much,” Johnson said. “We didn’t quit when we got down, and that block at the end shows the fight this team has.”
Heavner finished with 296 total yards, completing 19 of 27 passes for 226 yards while adding a team-high 70 rushing yards. Dixon added 57 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Tariq Logan led FHSU with 90 receiving yards.
The win marked Chris Brown’s 90th as head coach, extending his record as the program’s all-time leader in victories. It also snapped a four-game losing streak to CSU Pueblo and gave FHSU a split in its two-game nonconference slate against ranked opponents.
The ThunderWolves were playing their first MIAA opponent since restarting their program in 2008. Fuller threw three touchdown passes and also rushed for a score, while Andrew Cook had six catches for 90 yards to pace CSU Pueblo’s receivers.
Fort Hays State now turns its attention to MIAA play, hosting Nebraska-Kearney in its home conference opener. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday at Lewis Field Stadium.
Story for INF 349