FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State opened the 2024 football season with a 21-7 win over No. 24 ranked Angelo State at Lewis Field on Friday afternoon in a game postponed from the night before due to lightning. The Tigers claimed their first-ever win over a team from Texas and have now won back-to-back games against AFCA ranked opponents at Lewis Field.
Fort Hays State (1-0), receiving votes in the AFCA Preseason Top 25 poll, snapped a four-season run of dropping home openers with their first win in a home opener since the 2018 season. Two of those four losses in that run were to nationally ranked teams.
The Tiger defense allowed just 203 yards of total offense to the Rams. The Tigers had big performances from the men in the middle, led by linebacker Makel Williams who had 12 tackles and and a new FHSU high for Benyon Williams with 11 tackles. Sam Brandt matched his career high in tackles with 10. Mason Perez forced a key fumble to set up FHSU's final score early in the fourth quarter to make the eventual final score.
The Tigers scored on their second possession thanks to big plays from brothers Travis and Shane Watts. Travis opened the seven-play, 90-yard march with a 24-yard reception. Shane capped it with a 51-yard pass reception, breaking several tackles before winning a footrace to the endzone.
FHSU marched 90-yards for a touchdown on their next possession. Freshman receiver Jabari Lewis had a big field-flipping reception, going 51 yards to the ASU 17. Three plays later, Ryan Allen hauled in a 19-yard reception to put the Tigers up 14-0.
Angelo State scored their lone touchdown on its third drive of the game. The Rams used six plays to go 65 yards, capped by a 28-yard touchdown run by quarterback Kaeden Smith to cut the lead to 14-7.
The third quarter was a stalemate with five punts between the two teams. The Perez forced fumble on the first play of the fourth quarter was recovered at the Rams 14-yard line Shane Watts did all the work with three rushes capped with a six-yard scamper into the endzone.
Shane Watts finished the game with 122 all-purpose yards, rushing for 60 and receiving for 62. Jack Dawson spread the ball around to eight different receivers, going 23-of-36 for 271 yards with the two touchdown passes and an interception.
Dawson moved into a tie for sixth on FHSU's all-time passing touchdowns list with Dustin McEwen.
Trevor Watts led the Tigers in receiving yards with 73 on six catches. The Tigers had four receivers finish with at least 40 yards in the game.
UP NEXT
Fort Hays State will host Missouri Western State (1-0) on Saturday, September 7. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.