By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State held Washburn to just 59 yards and no points in the second half and defeated the Ichabods 38-7 Saturday night at Lewis Field. The Tigers outscored Washburn 28-0 in the second half as they moved to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA. The Ichabods dropped to 1-5 overall and 1-4 in the MIAA.
After Washburn scored on their first possession, the Tigers held them to just 125 yards the rest of the game while scoring 38 unanswered points.
The Tigers answered Washburn's touchdown with one of their own the very next possession. Caleb Heavner connected with Jayden Horace on a 4-yard touchdown pass in the back right corner of the endzone. The game remained tied until the final play of the second quarter when Carson Arndt connected on a career-long 52-yard field goal. It matched the fifth-longest field goal in program history.
The Tigers scored touchdowns on four of their five second half possessions. Heavner hit tight end Cale Cormaney on an 8-yard shovel pass with 6:21 to play in the third quarter. Just over a minute later, the Tigers delivered a big blow when Heavner hit Horace on a 73-yard bomb. to push the lead to 24-7.
In the fourth quarter, Shane Watts scored on a 1-yard touchdown run and Joshua Clark added a 4-yard touchdown run.
Fort Hays State finished with 464 yards of total offense, while holding Washburn to just 208. It was the second time the Tigers held an opponent under 250 yards this season.
Heavner completed 26-of-32 passes for a season-high 319 yards with three touchdowns. Horace had 10 catches for 160 yards and the two scores. Watts rushed for 72 yards and the score. Benyon Williams led the Tiger tackling effort with seven, Jaden Barker added a pair of sacks, while Demitri Scott added 1 1/2 sacks.
Sam Van Dyne led the Ichabods with 122 passing yards, while Tyler Bowden had 53 rushing yards. Cole Keller led WU in receiving with 36 yards. Planville native Jordan Finnesy led the Ichabods with nine tackles. and blocked a field goal.
UP NEXT
Fort Hays State heads on the road to play nationally ranked Pittsburg State next Saturday in Pittsburg. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Carnie Smith Stadium.