By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS, Kan. 鈥揟he Fort Hays State defense held Central Oklahoma under 200 yards of total offense and intercepted three passes in the second half in a 34-0 win over the Bronchos at a chilly Lewis Field Saturday.
It's the Tigers second shutout of the season as they improved to 7-2 overall and 6-2 in the MIAA with their fifth-straight win. UCO moved to 4-5 overall and 3-5 in the MIAA.
With the temperature at 32 degrees at kickoff, the Tigers raced to to an early lead, scoring on two of their first three possessions and led 10-0 after the first quarter. After a 32-yard run by Shane Watts on FHSU's first offensive play of the game, Jack Dawson connected with Jayden Horace on a six-yard touchdown pass to cap the six-play 62 yard drive. Carson Arndt added a 42 yard field goal with 3:26 to go in the opening frame.
The Tigers took a 17-0 lead into the halftime locker room thanks to a 46-yard touchdown pass from Dawson to Trevor Watts on fourth-and-one. Each team had called a timeout prior to the play with FHSU opting not to punt. Watts caught a short pass on a crossing route then broke several tackles and headed up the UCO sideline for his first receiving touchdown of the season.
The Tigers were held to a 30-yard Arndt field goal in the third quarter but interceptions by Kobe Rome and John Johnson held UCO at bay. Dawson found Horace for a second touchdown on a 25-yard strike early in the fourth quarter. Ja'Quan Tillis added a two-yard TD run with 7:06 to play to close out the scoring.
Rome picked off his second pass of the game then the Tigers ran out the clock to complete their second shutout of an Oklahoma team this season. FHSU shutout Northeastern State in the season opener in Tahlequah on August 31.
The Tigers continued their strong rushing attack, finishing with 220 rushing yards as a team. Shane Watts led with the way with 106 yards, becoming the first Tiger to rush for 100 or more yards in three straight games since Charles Tigner in 2018. Travis Dixon added a season-high 86 yards. Dawson threw for 219 yards to go with his three touchdowns and two first half interceptions. Trevor Watts had a team-high 76 receiving yards on five catches.
FHSU finished with 472 yards of total offense and held UCO to just 186. It's the fourth time this season and third-straight game at home the Tigers have held their opponent under 200 yards of offense.
Benyon Williams led the Tiger defense with seven tackles. Myles Menges and Jason Wallace shared the lone Tiger sack in the game.
Stephon Brown, who had missed the last three games with an injury suffered in the Northwest Missouri State game three weeks ago, threw for 94 yards for the Bronchos. UCO had only 46 yards rushing, led by Trevon Woolfolk with 14 yards.
The Tigers now prepare for the nation's top passing attack next week when they face nationally ranked Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 4.