FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. — Fort Hays State fell to CSU Pueblo 35-17 on Thursday evening in front of 5,448 at Lewis Field. After playing to a 7-7 tie through one quarter, No. 5/9 ranked CSU Pueblo slowly pulled away for a 21-10 halftime lead and eventually an 18-point win. The No. 25/23 ranked Tigers moved to 1-1 on the season, while the Thunderwolves improved to 2-0.
The Tigers had a tough time slowing a high-octane CSU Pueblo offense that produced 539 total yards of offense in the game. The Thunderwolves had good balance with 259 rushing yards and 280 passing yards.
CSU Pueblo was the first to score, a 42-yard touchdown pass from Navi Bruzon to Dedrek Taylor-Akins about six minutes into the game. Taylor-Akins led the Thunderwolves with 103 receiving yards. With 4:24 to go in the first quarter, Taderian Partee lined up in the backfield and scored on a one-yard touchdown plunge to cap a 9-play, 76-yard drive for the Tigers.
CSU Pueblo controlled the ball in the second quarter, totaling 11 first downs and rushing for 120 yards. Bruzon had a 20-yard touchdown run and Evan Powell had a one-yard touchdown run. The Tigers were only able to counter with a David Arriaga 35-yard field goal.
The Thunderwolves tacked on seven more in the third quarter on a Nate Gravagno 5-yard touchdown reception in the back of the endzone. Then in the fourth quarter, Nyir Jones hauled in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Bruzon, making it 35-10. The Tigers scored one more touchdown on an AG Floyd 1-yard run with 4:58 remaining, but that capped the scoring in the game.
Major Cantrell finished with 320 yards of total offense in the game for FHSU, throwing for 225 yards and rushing for 95. Keyshawn Dooley led receivers with 78 yards. The Tigers produced 357 yards of total offense. Jaxon Kolzow led the Tigers in tackles with eight, while Shadryon Blanka added seven. Gaven Haselhorst had the lone Tiger sack, and Eli Moulton picked up his second interception of the season and returned it 27 yards.
Bruzon threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns for the Thunderwolves. Russell Patton led CSU Pueblo in rushing with 80 yards. Carter Daniels led in tackles with seven and had one sack.
The Tigers will enter MIAA play on September 19 when they play host to nationally ranked Pittsburg State in Hays. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Lewis Field.