By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS - The Fort Hays State football team used a solid running game and opportunistic defense to beat Central Missouri 27-14 Saturday afternoon at Lewis Field. The win snapped the Tigers four-game overall losing streak and six-game home losing skid. It's the Mules sixth-straight road loss.
Both teams are now 2-6 on the season.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Mules struck first when Cedric Case connected with Arkell Smith on a 40-yard touchdown pass. The Tigers answered answered with a 22-yard Manny Aguilar field goal on the next possession.
An interception by Sam Brandt on the Mules next possession set up an 18-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Forrester to Manny Ramsey. It's Ramsey's 21st career touchdown reception which is tied with Layne Bieberle for third most in program history and it gave the Tigers a 10-7 lead which they would take into the halftime locker room.
The Tigers extended their lead to 17-7 on a 1-yard shovel pass from Jack Dawson to tight end Cale Cormaney on fourth down which capped a 10-play, 51-yard drive with 6:31 to play in the third. UCM immediately responded with a six-play scoring drive which ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Case to tight end Corbin Gant with 4:08 in the third.
The Tigers scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Adrian Soto scored on a nine-yard run and Manny Ramsey added a 40-yard field goal.
Jack Dawson completed 18-of-23 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. Ethen Forrester went 6-of-7 for 31 yards. Six different Tigers had two or more receptions led by Dawson Brown II who hauled in seven for 36 yards. Leyton Cure led with 37 receiving yards. Adrian Soto rushed for 98 yards on 18 carries.
Makel Williams led the defense with a season-high 11 tackles. Jeremiah Jackston-Trotter, who had to be carted off the field following the final play of the game, recorded a pair of sacks and three tackles for loss.
Cedric Case finished 32-of-47 passing for 333 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions for UCM. Xavier Jackson led the Mules in receiving with 13 catches for 146 yards, followed by Arkell Smith with 11 catches for 160 yards. Jamarion Kolb carried the ball four times for 37 yards, while Jackson carried it nine times for 22 yards. Ayeni Kingsley IV led the Mules with nine total tackles.
TIGERS WIN THE TURNOVERS
Fort Hays State entered the game with minus-12 turnover margin which was worst in the MIAA and third worst in all of Division II but the Tigers finished plus two on Saturday with interceptions from Ty Cooper and Sam Brandt.
200 RUSHING YARDS EQUALS WIN
The Tigers won their 20th straight game when rushing for 200 or more yards. They ran for 201 vs. the Mules and are now 36-3 under Chris Brown with 200 or more yards on teh ground.
UP NEXT
The Tigers head back on the road next week at Emporia State who rallied past Missouri Southern Saturday. Kickoff will be at 2 p.m.