By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post Sports
HAYS, Kan. - Central Missouri scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to erase a 17-point deficit late in the third quarter and beat Fort Hays State 28-24 Saturday afternoon at Lewis Field. The win snapped the Mules (4-5, 4-3 MIAA) five-game losing streak in Hays and was their first win at Lewis Field since 2012.
The Tigers (5-5, 4-4 MIAA) held a 10-0 lead at halftime and were up 24-7 with 1:30 to play in the third quarter before the Mules scored the final 21 points including the go-ahead touchdown with 50 seconds to play to cap a 99-yard drive that ate up over five minutes.
Fort Hays State moved the ball to the UCM 38 on their final possession but Caleb Heavner's last second pass was intercepted at the goal line.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Tigers broke through with a 37-yard field goal from David Arriaga on the first possession of the second quarter . FHSU took advantage of a kick catch interference penalty to set up a short field and grabbed a 10-0 lead following a Caleb Heavner 5-yard touchdown run with 8:06 to play until halftime.
The Mules were held to only 60 yards of offense in the first half but they came to life on their first possession of the third quarter with a 13-yard touchdown run from freshman running back Jayden Lang which capped a 12-play, 70-yard drive.
The Tigers immediately answered. Caleb Heavner broke free for a 77-yard run which set up a 1-yard touchdworn run from Curtis Douglas to push the lead to 17-7. Heavner connected with Keyshawn Dooley for a 55-yard touchdown pass on the next possession which pushed their lead to 24-7.
The Mules began their comeback three plays later when quarterback Donovyn Omolo hit Aazeryuan Voss on a 63-yard touchdown pass laste in the third.. FHSU went 3-and-out on the next possession and the Mules drove 74 yards, capped by an 11-yard touchdown pass from Omolo to Hogan Wasson with 10:37 to play.
The Tigers reached the UCM 43-yard line on their next possession but had to punt. Logan Russell pinned UCM at their own 1-yard line but the Mules drove 99 yards in 13 plays capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass to Wasson, his second of the quarter, to take their first lead of the game.
Central Missouri produced 324 or their 384 yards in the second half. FHSU finished with 366 yards, 208 on the ground led by Heavner's career-high 144, the second straight 100-yard game for the signal caller. The Tigers had won 29-straight when rushing for 200 or more yards.
John Johnson recorded 17 tackles to become the first Tiger to record 100 or more in a season since 2018. Matt McBride had his first career interception. Johnson, Gaven Haselhorst, Jakolbi Wilson, Kayson Dietz and Jack Hileman all recorded sacks.
Up next
The Tigers will have next Saturday off before closing out the season at Emporia State on Saturday, November 15. Kickoff will be a 1 p.m. at Welch Stadium.
The Tigers reached the UCM 43-yardline on their next possession but had to punt. Logan Russell pinned UCM at their own 1-yard line but the Mules drove 99 yards on 13 plays capped by an 8-yard touchdown catch from Wasson, his second of the quarter, for their first lead of the game.
The Tigers reached the UCM 43-yardline on their next possession but had to punt. Logan Russell pinned UCM at their own 1-yard line but the Mules drove 99 yards on 13 plays capped by an 8-yard touchdown catch from Wasson, his second of the quarter, for their first lead of the game.Central Missouri produced 324 of its 384 total yards after halftime. FHSU finished the game with 366 yards of total offense and had 208 yards on the ground with Heavner leading the way with a career-high 144, his second consecutive 100-yard game. Fort Hays State had won 29-straight when rushing for 200 or more yards.