With two big touchdown drives of just one play each, the Fort Hays State University Tigers (4-3, 4-3 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) were able to put to rest their two game losing streak and hold off Emporia State University (3-4, 3-4 MIAA) 24-21.<\/p>\n
Fort Hays scored the games first 21 points all before the first quarter even came to end and it was a late Drew O\u2019Brien, kicker\/punter, Hays, junior and an interception by Nathan Lindsey, defensive back, Inskter, Mich., senior, that was the difference in the game.<\/p>\n
Zack Gaughn, tight end, Hays junior who has not quite been utilized the way head coach Chris Brown would like, hauled in the games first score a 52 yard touchdown reception, the longest of Gaughn\u2019s career and the first play of the drive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to start looking at our tight end a little more,\u201d said Brown. \u201cZack’s a big body how could you not hit him.\u201d<\/p>\n
After an Ed Brown, defensive back, Bradenton, Fla., senior interception FHSU would strike on the very next play a 42 yard strike to Ed Williams, wide receiver, Tampa, Fla., senior to give the Tigers a 14-0 lead with more than nine minutes left in the first quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was good to get things rolling with a couple of touchdowns early,\u201d Gaughn said.<\/p>\n
With 22 seconds left in the first quarter Fort Hays would add one more score, a five yard run by Edward Smith, running back, Miami, Fla., senior giving the Tigers a three touchdown lead.<\/p>\n
From there, a desperate Emporia State team, down to their third string quarterback would control the tempo the rest of the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a couple of plays in a sequence where we lost some momentum, and we just have to do a better job of coming back from that,\u201d Gaughn said.<\/p>\n
Neither team would score in the second quarter, but the Hornets were 0 for 3 inside redzone on three straight failed fourth down attempts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just had to dig deep, we didn\u2019t want to give them any points,\u201d Lindsey said. \u201cThis was a crucial game for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
After being held scoreless the whole first half, ESU would orchestrate a 13 play, 53 yard drive to open the third quarter that ended with a 20 yard field goal by Austin Morton to make it 21-3.<\/p>\n
Fort Hays would try to match the field goal on their next possession, but O\u2019Brien just came up short on a 47 yard attempt, which set up the Hornets to go 70 yards and score off a 17 yard run by Kai Callins to cut the Tigers lead to 21-10.<\/p>\n
The Tiger offense which executed well in the first quarter could not find their footing in the third quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust our execution changed a little bit, we stopped executing,\u201d said Gaughn.<\/p>\n
Both teams would trade fields on each of their next respected possessions to make it 24-13 Fort Hays.<\/p>\n
With less than six minutes remaining, Braxton Marshall, a true freshman quarterback hit Justin Brown in the back corner of the endzone to pull the Hornets within three at 24-21.<\/p>\n
From there it would be put in the hands of the defense as the offense gave the ball back to Emporia with 2:17 remaining. There, Lindsey forced the fourth Hornet turnover of the game and it would be the biggest of the game, picking off Marstall on ESU\u2019s first play on the drive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey ran that route about four times through the course of the game and I just read and recognized what they were trying to do to us and acted on it,\u201d Lindsey said.<\/p>\n
Treveon Albert, quarterback, Atlanta, Ga. junior managed the game well going 14 of 29 for 235 yards and two touchdowns along with two interceptions. Gaughn and Williams combined for 8 receptions and 166 yards on the day.<\/p>\n
Smith was the leader in the backfield with 70 yards rushing and a touchdown.<\/p>\n
On defense both the Lindsey brothers forced turnovers; Nathan Lindsey had the key interception and Daniel Lindsey, defensive back, Inkster, Mich., junior forced a fumble. Just McPhail, linebacker, Liberal, junior led the way with 15 tackles.<\/p>\n
Fort Hays is back at home and will face the previous number one team in the nation Northwest Missouri State University (6-1, 6-1 MIAA). Northwest will be coming off a embarrassing 35-17 loss to #17 Pittsburg State University (6-1, 6-1 MIAA) last week.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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