JOPLIN, Mo. – Fort Hays State racked up 653 yards of offense and scored their second most points in an MIAA game as they roll past Missouri Southern 55-20 Saturday night at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. The Tigers (3-1) scored touchdowns on three of their first four possessions in building a 21-3 first quarter lead and led 35-6 at halftime and were up 52-6 late in the third quarter.

It’s FHSU’s sixth straight win over the Lions and fourth straight in Joplin. MSSU (0-4) has 17 straight games dating back to 2016 and drops their first game under interim coach Joe Bettasso.

Chris Brown Postgame Press Conference

Jacob Mezera Postgame Interview

Tevin Evans Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

Jacob Mezera completed 15 of 23 passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns to move into second place on the Tigers career touchdown pass list with 51. Mezera hit Manny Ramsey on a 15-yard strike to put them up 14-0. He also connected with tight Jacoby Williams on an 11-yard score and twice with tight end Matt Wendelberger from 21 and nine yards.

Wendelberger tied a career-high with seven receptions for a career-best 145 yards.

Charles Tigner scored on a 55-yard run on the Tigers second play of the game and finished with 116 yards, the second 100-yard game in his career.

Backup quarterback Chance Fuller played much of the second half and completed 10 of 18 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown. The Texas redshirt freshman hit Manny Ramsey on a 47-yard strike then hit Andrew Jay on a 13-yard TD pass to push their lead to 42-6 early in the third.

Tevin Evans made his first start and led the defense with 14 tackles. Tanner Hoekman, Connor Shedeed and Hayden Kreutzer.