FHSU Sports Information Department<\/p>\n
MARYVILLE, Mo. \u2013 A flurry of early turnovers and miscues led to a 35-7 halftime deficit and eventually a 45-24 loss for Fort Hays State to No. 3 Northwest Missouri State on Saturday (Oct. 24). Fort Hays State moved to 5-3 overall, while NWMSU remained perfect on the year at 8-0.<\/p>\n
Consecutive interceptions on Fort Hays State’s first two drives of the game led to a quick 14-0 deficit. The first gave NWMSU a 25-yard field to score, then the second went 42 yards to the endzone for a touchdown. It all happened in a matter of the first 3:22 of the game.<\/p>\n
Eventually, Northwest Missouri State stretched its lead to 35-0 by the 1:53 mark of the second quarter before FHSU finally showed signs of life. Daniel Lindsey returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown with 1:39 remaining in the first half to get FHSU on the board.<\/p>\n
The Tigers quickly gained momentum in the second half when DeAndre James picked off at the FHSU 37-yardline and returned it 46 yards to the NWMSU 17-yardline. Treveon Albert found the endzone on a 3-yard rush to make it 35-14 with 13:03 remaining in the third quarter. The FHSU defense had a solid effort on the next NWMSU series and the Tigers got the ball back at their own 42-yardline moments later.<\/p>\n
After a pair of good runs, the momentum FHSU built all of the sudden vanished as Albert fumbled the ball on a rush at the NWMSU 37-yardline. The Bearcats went on to score a touchdown off the turnover and seized control of the game once again, leading 42-14. Fort Hays State finished with four turnovers in the game. NWMSU capitalized on all four, scoring 24 points off turnovers.<\/p>\n
The Tigers did not have enough time for a comeback from that point. Albert found Evan Jennings on a 44-yard touchdown pass at 2:27 in the third quarter to make it 42-21, then Drew O’Brien had a field goal at 6:31 in the fourth quarter for the eventual final of 45-24.<\/p>\n
The Bearcats held FHSU to 277 yards of total offense and a season-low 182 rushing yards. Albert led the Tigers in rushing with 74 yards, Derek Kendall-Campbell had 62 yards, and Shaquille Cooper added 47. Albert was just 6-of-18 passing for 86 yards with three interceptions.<\/p>\n
Brady Bolles threw for 329 yards and three touchdowns for the Bearcats. Phil Jackson racked up 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns.<\/p>\n
Brock Long led the Tiger defense once again with 17 tackles, including six for loss, and two sacks. DeAndre James had 10 tackles to go with his interception.<\/p>\n
The loss dropped the Tigers into a fourth-place tie with Pittsburg State in the MIAA standings, both at 5-3. Central Missouri, now 6-2, pulled into third alone with a win over Northeastern State. Emporia State remained in second at 7-1 with a win over Missouri Western.<\/p>\n
Fort Hays State hosts Nebraska-Kearney next week in the MIAA Television Network Game of the Week at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays. Kickoff is set for 2:30 pm in the annual Tiger Sports Hall of Fame Game.<\/p>\n