Hays Post
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Fort Hays State overcame a sluggish start to score 48 unanswered points and beat Lincoln 51-14 Saturday night at Dwight T. Reed Stadium to pick up their first win of the 2022 season.
After stopping FHSU on their first possession, the Blue Tigers (0-3) used a wide receiver pass to take an early 7-0 lead.
Fort Hays State (1-2) only managed to score two field goals following possessions that started deep in Lincoln territory but Ja'Quan Tillis hauled in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jack Dawson late in the second quarter to give them a 10-7 halftime lead.
FHSU scored four touchdowns and a field goal on their five second half possessions.
The Tigers finished with 478 yards of total offense, 300 through the air and 178 on the ground. Sophomore Jack Dawson made his second start at quarterback for the injured Chance Fuller and completed 16 of 24 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Ethan Forrester went 6-for-7 for 66 yards and a TD.
10 different Tigers caught passes led by Deontay Wilson and Ja'Quan Tillis who had four receptions each. Hunter Budke hauled in three passes for a game-high 103 yards.
FHSU finished with 178 yards on the ground led by Tillis who had a team-high 16 carries for 46 yards.
Jeremiah Jackson-Trotter, Makel Williams, Mason Perez and Daniel Howard led the defense with seven tackles each. Jackson-Trotter had two sacks and Howard along with Hunter Brown had interceptions.
Zamar Brake threw for 126 yards for Lincoln. Omar Allen ran for 52 yards and Aderias Ealy led the Blue Tigers in receiving with 55 yards. Jaylon Mosley led Lincoln with 10 tackles.
Fort Hays State will be back at home next Saturday against Missouri Southern who is 2-1 following a win over Central Oklahoma.