By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

EMPORIA, Kan. – No. 10 Emporia State scored on two big pass plays and held Fort Hays State to 160 yards in the second half and defeated the Tigers 24-16 Saturday afternoon and Welch Stadium. It’s the Hornets (8-1) eighth straight win as they remain alone in second place in the MIAA. The Tigers (6-3), who had won two straight over their in-state rival, fall into a tie with Washburn for fourth place.

Chris Brown Postgame Press Conference

 

Layne Bieberle Postgame Interview

 

Jose Delgado Postgame Interview

 

Game Highlights

The Hornets took advantage of Jacob Mezera interception on the Tigers first possession and scored a touchdown to grab the early lead. Brandon Brown connected on a 37-yard field goal on the next possession to pull FHSU to within 7-3 which would be the score at halftime.

Braxton Marstall hit Mitchell Foote on a 65-yard touchdown pass with 6:32 to play in the third quarter to push the Hornet lead to 14-3.

The Tigers took advantage of a taunting penalty to score on a 10-yard Shaquille Cooper run to pull within 14-9 early in the fourth quarter. Cooper led the Tigers with 79 yards on the ground on 17 carries.

Emporia State answered with a 38-yard TD pass to Morris Williams to push their lead to 24-9 with 5:13 to play.

Jacob Mezera, who completed 27 of 43 passes for 218 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and was sacked five times, hit Layne Bieberle on a 36-yard strike with 0:17 to play but the Hornets recovered the on-side kick and ran out the clock.

The Tigers had only 317 yards of offense and converted on just three of their 17 third down plays.

Jose Delgado recorded a game-high 16 tackles including two for a loss. Sie Doe, Jr. recorded the Tigers only sack, his 13th of the season which sets a new FHSU single-season record.