By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post Sports
HAYS, Kan. — Fort Hays State overcame a six-point halftime deficit, outscoring Missouri Western State 14-3 in the fourth quarter to secure a 31-23 victory over the Griffons in front of 8,211 Saturday night at Lewis Field.
After being held to 68 rushing yards through the first three quarters, Fort Hays State (3-2, 2-1 MIAA) exploded for 135 rushing yards in the fourth quarter, averaging 9.6 yards per carry in the final frame. Joshua Clark had four big runs of over 10 yards and Curtis Douglas had the biggest run of the night, a 59-yards scamper to the endzone with 5:56 to play to push their lead to eight.. The Tigers ended the game with 203 yards on the ground and moved to 40-1 when rushing for 200 or more yards under head coach Chris Brown.
Trailing 23-17 entering the fourth quarter, the Tigers flipped the game when Caleb Heavner found Tariq Logan for a 38-yard touchdown pass with 12:25 to go in the game. David Arriaga's extra point to put the Tigers up 24-23. The Tiger defense forced MWSU (1-3, 0-2 MIAA) to punt on their next two possessions. After the Douglas TD run, the Griffons drove to the FHSU 11 with 25 seconds to play, but the Tigers forced four straight incomplete passes to hang on for the win.
After both teams had three-and-outs to start the game, Fort Hays State grabbed the lead on a Heavner 17-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Clark with 9:56 to play in the first. the score was set up by an interception from defensive lineman Taderian Partee.
The Griffons responded by scoring the next 10 points to take a 10-7 lead late in the first quarter. The Tigers regained the lead on a Douglas 6-yard run which capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive with 10:34 to play in the second.. The Griffons responded by scoring the final 10 points of the half which ended with a 44-yard hail mary touchdown pass with no time remaining to jump in front 20-14 at the break.
The Tigers scored the only points of the third quarter on a 41-yard David Arriaga field goal to cap a 13-play drive. The Griffons responded with a field goal three plays in the fourth quarter but would not score again.
Douglas led the Tigers in rushing with 73 yards, followed by Clark with 70, all in the second half. Heavner added 43 yards with his legs, while throwing for 171. Ryan Allen led the Tigers in receiving yards with 49.
John Johnson was a force defensively for the Tigers with a career-high 16 tackles and a forced fumble. Michael Chavez also had a big night with 13 tackles. Jakolbi Wilson and Koa McIntyre both had sacks, while had a key interception in the first quarter that set up FHSU's first touchdown of the game.
The Griffons had 438 yards of total offense compared to 374 for the Tigers. FHSU produced 179 of its 374 total yards in the fourth quarter.
Up Next
Fort Hays State heads on the road next week to Missouri Southern for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Saturday. The Lions are 2-2 overall and 0-2 in MIAA play after a 62-10 loss at Central Missouri.