By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS - For a second straight game the Fort Hays State football team couldn't overcome several first half miscues and lost 35-19 to Missouri Western State in their home opener Thursday night at Lewis Field. The Tigers, who had five starters out due to injury including senior all-conference quarterback Chance Fuller, start the season 0-2. The Griffons are 2-0.
The Tigers never led, falling behind 14-0 before scoring their first touchdown with 22 seconds left in the first quarter on a three-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Jack Dawson to Adrian Soto.
FHSU had a chance to pull within a score at halftime but Dawson threw an interception in the endzone. The Tigers were stopped on their first possession of the third quarter then fell behind 28-7 following an 11 play 85 yard scoring drive by MWSU capped by a 23-yard touchdown from from quarterback Reagan Jones.
The Griffons extended the lead to 35-7 lead with 47 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
The Tigers scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns, one on a two-yard run by Soto and the other on a four-yard run from Dawson.
Soto finished with 150 all-purpose yards, 99 rushing and 51 receiving. Manny Ramsey had five catches for 123 yards, his eight career 100-yard receiving game.
Dawson threw for 243 yards in his Tiger debut at quarterback, completing 17-of-33 attempts. He also rushed for 25 yards.
Mason Perez led the Tiger defense with nine tackles, followed by Makel Williams with eight. Myles Menges and Hunter Brown each had seven.
The Griffons ran the ball for over 300 yards for a second straight week, totaling 311. They added 106 passing yards and finished with 417 yards of total offense compared to Fort Hays State's 375.
Fort Hays State hits the road on Saturday, September 17 when they travel to Jefferson City, Mo. to play the Lincoln Blue Tigers. Game time is set for 6 p.m.