By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Fort Hays State football team couldn't overcome five turnovers and a blocked punt and lost 28-7 at Missouri Western Saturday afternoon at Spratt Memorial Stadium.
The game, which was originally scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff Saturday night but was moved up to noon due to a threat of severe weather, was delayed at hour at the start due to thunderstorms.
The Griffons (3-1, 2-1 MIAA) intercepted a Jack Dawson pass on the second play of the game at the FHSU 30 which set up the first of two Seth Cromwell touchdown runs.
The Griffons blocked a Kamren Xaysongkham punt on the Tigers second possession which they recovered inside the five. Cromwell scored his second touchdown two plays later to push the MWSU lead to 14-0 with 8:32 to play in the first quarter.
A Tiger fumble on their own 8-yardline late in the third quarter created another short field for the Griffons. They scored two plays later on an eight-yard touchdown pass to go up 21-0 with 4:12 to play in the third.
The Tigers (2-2, 2-2 MIAA) used a couple of big plays to set up their only score with a little over 10 minutes to play in the fourth. A 14-yard pass, 15-yard pass interference penalty, and a 36-yard run by Shane Watts set up and eight-yard touchdown pass from Jack Dawson to Jayden Horace.
A Makel Williams interception on the Griffons next position helped FHSU move back into the redzone, but a Dawson pass was intercepted in the endzone by Brayden Wright and taken back 100 yards for Missouri Western's final score.
The Tigers outgained the Griffons by nearly 100 yards in total offense, 331 to 237, but the five turnovers proved to be too much to overcome.
It marked only the third time under head coach Chris Brown that the Tigers have held an opponent under 300 yards of total offense and lost.
Dawson finished the game with 257 passing yards, one touchdown and three interceptions and was sacked seven times. Shane Watts led the Tigers in rushing attack with 57 yards. Cale Cormaney hauled in eight passes for 82 yards.
Sam Brandt and John Johnson led the FHSU defense with nine tackles each. Brandt recorded the Tigers lone sack.
Armani Edden led MWSU with 112 passing yards, one touchdown and two intercepions. Brandon Hall led the Griffons in rushing with 52 yards and Traveon James led in receiving yards with 36.
UP NEXT
The Tigers return to Hays to play their only non-conference game of the season Saturday against Lincoln for their homecoming game. Kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Lewis Field.