HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State Football snapped its four-game skid overall and a six-game home losing skid with a 27-14 win over Central Missouri on Saturday (Oct. 22) The Tigers got off to a slow start in the first half, but were able to take advantage of a couple of mistakes by the Mules to walk away with the win. Both squads moved to 2-6 on the season.
Neither squad was able to find a groove in the first quarter with the first four drives of the game ending in punts. The Tiger defense took a stand late in the quarter with an interception by Ty Cooper, but the ensuing drive ended in yet another punt.
The Mules got on the board first when Cedric Case found Arkell Smith for a 40-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter. The Tigers answered with a 22-yard field goal from Emanuel Aguilar on the following drive. FHSU shifted the momentum on UCM's next drive when Sam Brandt collected the second interception of the game for the Tigers with 3:45 left in the half. Fort Hays State took advantage of the opportunity driving 35 yards down the field and capped off with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Forrester to Manny Ramsey. The Tigers took a 10-7 lead into the half.
Both squads were forced to punt on their opening drives of the second half, but the Tigers extended their lead on the next possession when they drove 51 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown a shovel pass from Jack Dawson to Cale Cormaney. UCM responded with a touchdown of its own on the next drive when Case threw a 4-yard touchdown to Corbin Gant to bring the score to 17-14. From there, the Tigers scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter on a 9-yard touchdown run from Adrian Soto and another Aguilar field goal, this one from 40 yards out.
Dawson finished 18-of-23 for 126 yards and a touchdown, while Forrester went 6-of-7 for 31 yards. Dawson Brown II led the Tigers in receptions with seven for 36 yards, while Leyton Cure had a team-best 37 receiving yards. Adrian Soto led the Tiger rushing attack with 98 yards, followed by Dawson with 89.
Makel Williams had a team-leading 11 tackles, a new season high for the linebacker. Jeremiah Jackson-Trotter recorded a pair of sacks and three tackles for loss.
Cedric Case finished 32-of-47 passing for 333 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions for UCM. Xavier Jackson led the Mules in receiving with 13 catches for 146 yards, followed by Arkell Smith with 11 catches for 160 yards. Jamarion Kolb carried the ball four times for 37 yards, while Jackson carried it nine times for 22 yards. Ayeni Kingsley IV led the Mules with nine total tackles.
The Tigers head back on the road next week to Emporia State on Saturday (Oct. 29). Kickoff will be at 2 p.m.