By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State remained rushed for a season-high 437 yards and remained unbeaten in MIAA play with a 52-3 rout of Fort Hays State Saturday afternoon at Bearcat Stadium. The 19th-ranked Bearcats (6-1, 5-0 MIAA) scored touchdowns on three of their first four possessions as they won their sixth-straight.
It's the first time the Tigers have been held without a touchdown since September 19, 2018 in a 15-0 win over Central Oklahoma.
The Bearcats scored six of their seven touchdowns in the ground with three of them on plays 50 or more yards. Quarterback Zechariah Owens scored on touchdown runs of 56 and 73 yards and running back Quincy Torry added one from 85 yards out. Owens finished with 164 rushing yards on eight carries, while Torry had 114 yards on eight carries.
Fort Hays State's (4-4, 3-3 MIAA) lone score came on a 39-yard Zane Hall field goal on their second possession. The Bearcats scored the final 10 points of the first half and led 24-3 at halftime then scored touchdowns on their first four possessions of the second half.
FHSU was held to just 131 total yards for the day. Caleb Heavner threw for 63 yards, while Curtis Douglas rushed for 27. Ryan Allen had 24 receiving yards. Michael Chavez led the Tiger defense with 10 tackles.
Up next
Fort Hays State will be on the road again next week at Washburn. Kickoff in Topeka is set for 1 p.m. at Yager Stadium on October 25. The Ichabods snapped a five-game losing streak with a 37-17 home win over Central Missouri Saturday.