The Fort Hays State Tigers put together their most complete game of the season Saturday afternoon in Edmond, defeating the Central Oklahoma Bronchos 38-21. The Tigers (3-5) scored the games first ten points and led 24-7 at the half and never let the Bronchos (1-7) any closer than ten the rest of the afternoon.

Quarterback Anthony Sheppard raced for a 60-yard touchown run on the game’s fourth play to give the Tigers the early lead. Tyler Kimbrough booted a 42-yard field goal to push the lead to 10-0. 

Central Oklahoma’s sophomore running back Joshua Birmingham ripped off a 50-yard run setting up a touchown on the first play of the second quarter to cut the Tigers lead to 10-7.

FHSU answered with an eight-play, 59-yard drive capped by a 36-yard touchdown pass from Sheppard to Keaton Callins. Sheppard would connect on a 49-yard TD pass to Anthony Smith with 1:11 to play in the half.

After both teams threw interceptions on their first possessions of the third quarter, Central Oklahoma closed the gap to ten with a 25-yard touchdown pass with 5:25 to play. The Tigers went 3-and-out on their next possession but got a fourth down stop on a pass break up from Sherod Murdock on the Bronchos next possession. The Tigers would take advantage with a seven-play, 68-yard drive capped by an 10-yard Edward Smith touchdown run to push the lead to 31-14.

Fort Hays State pushed the lead to 38-14 on a dazzling 74-yard touchdown run from Edward Smith. The Bronchos fumbled the ball in the endzone, recovered by Keke Paul on their next possession. They eventually scored with 1:41 to go for the final margin.

FHSU who finished with 529 yards of offense, had two interceptions, one by Sherod Murdock and another by Marques Richardson, also recovered two fumbles.

Edward Smith rushed for 163 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns. Quarterback Anthony Sheppard completed 15-of-24 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for 93 yards and a score. Anthony Smith and Keaton Callins both had five receptions and a touchdown. Linebacker Alex Whitehill was held to seven tackles.

Chris Brown Postgame Interview
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FHSU Postgame Player Interviews
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Game Highlights
FHSU-UCO Highlights