By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
MARYVILLE, Mo. – Fort Hays State jumped out to an early 14-0 first quarter lead but couldn't hold on to the early momentum and lost 32-20 at Northwest Missouri State Saturday night at Bearcat Stadium.
The loss was the first of the season for the 24th-ranked Tigers and dropped then to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the MIAA. The Bearcats, who avoided their first 0-3 start since 1994 moved to 1-2 and 1-1 in the MIAA.
For a second-straight game, the Tigers scored on the fist possession of the game. Shane Watts capped an 8-play, 75-yard drive with a 5-yard run. Benyon Willimas picked off a pass on NWMSU's first possession which set up a short 11-yard field for FHSU. Watts cashed in another touchdown three plays later on a 1-yard run.
The Bearcats responded on the next possession with an 11-play scoring drive to pull within 14-7 late in the first quarter on a Tank Young 10-yard touchdown run.
Carson Arndt converted a 25-yard field goal to extend the FHSU lead back to 17-7 in the second quarter but the Bearcats answered with a Noah Guastella field goal on the heels of a 14-play drive.
The game would turn on the next four possessions. Fort Hays State went 3-and-out, but a booming punt from Parker Janky pinned Northwest at their own nine yard line. The Bearcats took advantage of a third-down roughing passing penalty and pass interference penalty and scored a touchdown with five seconds left in the half to tie the game 17-17 at halftime.
The Bearcats had the ball first out of halftime and chewed up the first 7:35 of the half with a 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Tank Young's 4-yard run gave the Bearcats the lead for good. Moments later, Fort Hays State quarterback Jack Dawson was called for intentional grounding in the endzone which resulted in a safety and pushed the Bearcats lead to 26-17.
The Tigers scored their only points of the half on a 44-yard field goal by Arndt in the third quarter, but the Bearcats took full control on their final touchdown early in the fourth quarter for the final margin.
FHSU was held to just 245 yards of total offense, which included 213 passing yards by Jack Dawson and 32 rushing yards as a team. Shane Watts led the ground game with 39 yards. Trevor Watts had eight catches for 59 yards, while Jabari Lewis had a team-high 64 receiving yards on just three catches. Makel Williams led the Tiger defense with 12 tackles, while Sam Brandt had nine to go with two interceptions.
Though the Tigers had three interceptions in the game, the Bearcats were still able to muster 411 yards of total offense with 273 passing yards and 138 rushing yards. Chris Ruhnke completed 33-of-41 attempts for all 273 yards through the air. Young had a team-high 57 rushing yards. Luke Mathews led the Bearcats in receiving yards with 62. Holden Zigmant, Shane Fredrickson, and Carter Edwards led NWMSU with six tackles each.
UP NEXT
The Tigers return home to face Northeastern State in a non-conference game next weekend in Hays. The RiverHawks are playing independent this year in football. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays.