By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

HAYS, Kan. – Jacob Mezera threw for three touchdowns and ran for another helping Fort Hays State to a 34-20 win over Central Oklahoma Saturday night at Lewis Field. Mezera threw touchdown passes on the Tiger first three possessions, helping them to a 21-0 first quarter lead. The redshirt sophomore also rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown as the Tigers improved to 2-1 and picked up their first win at home over the Bronchos (0-3) in five tries.

Chris Brown Postgame Press Conference

Jacob Mezera Postgame Interview

Sie Doe Jr. Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

Mezera, who completed 14 of 24 passes for 250 yards, connected on touchdown strikes of 30 and 21 yards to Shaquille Copper before play was stopped with 5:18 to play in the first quarter because of lightning. Mezera then hit Layne Bieberle on a 62-yard TD pass on the first play out of the delay to push the lead to 21-0.

Down 24-10 at the half, the Broncos closed the gap to 27-20 early in the fourth quarter but the FHSU responded with a nine-play scoring drive capped by a 19-yard Mezera touchdown run.

UCO would drive to the Tiger five on their next possession, but a fumble in the endzone was recovered by Rashad Dunnigan. Fort Hays State would then drive all the way to the Bronchos four yard line and run out the clock.

The Tigers amassed 475 yards of total offense including 95 rushing yards from Shaquille Cooper and another 94 from Kenneth Iheme. Cooper also hauled in four passes for 66 yards and the two touchdowns.

Sie Doe led the defense with 13 tackles and recorded the Tigers only sack.