INDIANAPOLIS – Fort Hays State overcame an early two touchdown deficit to take a 24-17 lead midway through the third quarter but UIndy rallied for a 21-point fourth quarter to beat the Tigers 38-27 in their first round playoff game Saturday at Key Stadium.

FHSU Postgame Press Conference

Game Highlights

Down four with two minutes the play, the Tigers had the ball at their own 10 but Robert Williams picked off a Jacob Mezera pass for a touchdown to push the lead to 11.
Mezera threw a pick in the endzone on the final play of the game to seal the Greyhounds 10th straight win.

The Tigers had chance to win the game late. Trailing by four and with the ball at their own 10 yard line, Robert Williams picked off a Jacob Mezera pass and returned it for a touchdown to push the lead to 11.

Chance Fuller started at quarterback and completed 24 of 36 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns before leaving in the fourth quarter with an injury.

Harley Hazlett hauled in a career-high 14 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. Layne Bieberle had eight receptions for 88 yards and a score.

UIndy came into the game with one of the best rushing attacks in the country and showed why, rushing for 249 yards. Al McKeller rushed for 137 on 29 carries and Toriano Clinton 106 yards on five carries.

Jake Purichia completed 13 of 21 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. The key one was from 76 yards to Davion Bell shortly after Doyin Jibowu was called for targeting and disqualified from the game.

Purichia also scored on a one-yard run on fourth and one on the first play of the fourth quarter to tie the game 24-24.