HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State scored 14 points off four Washburn turnovers and built a 20-point fourth quarter lead then held off a Washburn comeback attempt and beat the Ichabods 30-24 in front of 6,938 Saturday night at Lewis Field.

The Tigers (2-1) led 30-10 following Jacob Mezera’s 17-yard touchdown pass to former quarterback and current tight end Jacoby Williams, but the Ichabods (1-2) would score 14 unanswered before the Tigers recovered an on-side kick with a little over a minute to play to seal the victory.

Chris Brown Postgame Press Conference

Charles Tigner Postgame Interview

Keylon Kennedy Postgame Interivew

Game Highlights

Up 30-17, the Tigers intercepted backup quarterback Mitch Schurig late in the game near mid field but linebacker Austin Tillman intercepted a Jacob Mezera pass and return it 63 yards for a touchdown with 1:09 to play. The pick-six came after the Tigers appeared to convert on third down but were penalized for holding

Mezera completed 15 of 24 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns and the interception. His 26-yard scoring strike to Harley Hazlett put the Tigers up 7-3 with 5:47 to play in the first quarter. The Tigers also scored on a four-yard run by D.J. Hickman and a two-yard run by Charles Tigner to build a 20-10 halftime lead.

Dante Brown booted a 42-yard field goal on the Tigers first possession of the third quarter for the only points of the period and push the Tigers lead to 23-10.

FHSU rushed for a season-high 130 yards led by Charles Tigner who ran for 98 yards on 20 carries. Isaiah Truss added 31 yards on six rush attempts.

Backup quarterback Chance Fuller saw his first action of the season. The redshirt freshman completed 3 of 6 passes for 35 yards.
The Tigers are on the road next Saturday at Missouri Southern State who lost 63-0 to Northwest Missouri State earlier in the afternoon.