HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State and Northwest Missouri State opened the 2021 season with a tight battle, but the No. 4 ranked Bearcats prevailed by a score of 15-7. A late touchdown by NWMSU provided a bit of separation and a hail mary attempt to the endzone by the Tigers was intercepted as time expired.
Field position was key to Northwest Missouri State's success in the first half as it held FHSU scoreless. After the Tigers forced a Bearcat punt on the opening drive, NWMSU punter Mike Hohensee placed a punt perfectly that was downed at the 1-yardline. The Bearcats then forced a safety on Fort Hays State's first offensive play of the game and the two points was all of the scoring for either team in the first quarter.
The Bearcats provided the game's first touchdown in the second quarter on a 3-yard rush by Al McKeller. Tiger fans have seen McKeller before, an All-America transfer running back from University of Indianapolis. The Tigers faced him in the 2018 NCAA Playoffs. McKeller went on to run for a game-best 161 yards on 28 carries. NWMSU led at the half 9-0.
The Tigers finally broke through on the scoreboard in the third quarter. A 44-yard completion from Chance Fuller to Monterio Burchfield put the Tigers in business near midfield, the Fuller found Adrian Soto later on the drive for a 36-yard touchdown strike. The Tigers were back within two at 9-7.
The Tigers had a chance to take the lead with just over six minutes to play, but a 50-yard field goal attempt was just off the mark. The Bearcats countered with a 10-play, 67-yard drive to chew up 5:15 on the clock, ended by a Braden Wright touchdown pass to Kaden Davis. But the Tigers remained mathematically alive when Jhimon Preston blocked the extra-point attempt. With just 59 seconds to work with, FHSU advanced the ball down to the NWMSU 34 before Fuller had to throw a final prayer to the endzone. Isaiah Nimmers picked off the pass as the clock expired.
Quick Hits
-Northwest Missouri State had three punts that were either downed or went out of bounds at the 1-yardline. Fort Hays State's average field start position for the game was their own 15-yardline.
-FHSU had only 3 first downs in the first half, but finished the game with 15.
-Chance Fuller threw for 265 yards and 1 touchdown, completing 16 passes.
-Monterio Burchfield finished with a team-best 118 receiving yards on four catches.
-The Tigers generated just 48 rushing yards, led by Tristan Tucker with 32.
-Northwest Missouri State finished with 240 rushing yards as a team, led by McKeller's 161. However, the Bearcats managed only 96 passing yards.
-Both defenses managed the game well, NWMSU allowing 313 total yards and FHSU allowing 336 yards.
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