Tigers hold off Washburn to move to 4-1

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Shaquille Copper rushed for 92 yards and had 60 receiving yards vs. Washburn. (Courtesy Bob Duffy)

HAYS, Kan. – For a second straight week, Fort Hays State took a double-figure lead into the halftime locker room. Unlike the week prior against Pittsburg State, the Tigers were able to hold on for a 35-30 win over Washburn in front of 4,913 at Lewis Field.

It’s the Tigers first win over the Ichabods since 2008 as they improve to 4-1 for the first time under coach Chris Brown and the first time since 2009. It also keeps FHSU in a tie with Pitt State for third place in the MIAA.

Chris Brown Postgame Interview

Brock Long / Treveon Albert Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

The Tigers led 35-17 after three quarters, but Washburn scored 13 unanswered to pull within five with 5:22 to play. The Ichabods failed on a two-point conversion following a Mickeel Stewart three-yard touchdown run to keep the Tigers lead at five.

Derek Kendall-Campbell scores on a 3-yard run to give FHSU a 14-7 lead vs. Washburn. (Courtesy Bob Duffy)

After the Tigers drive stalled, a 67-yard Jordan Spangler punt gave the Ichabods the ball at their own 20 yard line with 2:24 to play. They converted on fourth and 12 to keep the drive going, but three plays later, Dalton Gould broke up a pass on fourth and one to seal the win for the Tigers.

FHSU quarterback Treveon Albert had a big night, rushing for a career-high 207 yards and two touchdowns while completing 17 of 31 passes for 154 yards and two scores. Albert had runs of 54 and 51 yards which set up touchdowns. Shaquille Cooper added 94 yards on the ground while hauling in five passes for 60 yards and a touchdown.

Brock Long led the Tigers with a career-high 16 tackles which included four for loss and a sack. Doyin Jobowu added 12 tackles and a sack. DeAndre James had an interception and fumble recovery and added nine tackles.

The Tigers finished with 466 yards of total offense with the Ichabods adding 455 but they turned the ball over four times. The Tigers had two turnovers, both on Albert interceptions.