HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State scored 27 unanswered second half points to rally from a 10-point halftime deficit and beat Washburn 37-20 at Lewis Field Saturday. The No. 8 Tigers are 7-0 for the first time since 1917 while winning their school record ninth straight game dating back to last season.

Chris Brown Postgame Interview

Charles Tigner Postgame Interview

Doyin Jibowu Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

The Tiger defense held the Ichabods to eight yards in the third quarter and 89 yards in the second
half while keeping them off the scoreboard.

Fort Hays State took advantage of a roughing the kicker penalty against punter Dante Brown on their first possession of the third quarter which was capped by a Charles Tigner 12-yard touchdown run to close the gap to 20-17.

Brandon Brown’s 30-yard field goal on the Tigers second possession of the quarter tied the game 20-20.

FHSU converted on three straight third down conversions which culminated in a 21-yard leaping touchdown catch by Monterio Burchfield near the right front pylon which capped a 12-play, 87-yard drive to give the Tigers the lead for good at 27-20.

After the Tiger defense got a fourth down stop at their 19 yard line, the offense drove down the field. Jacob Mezera hit Tyler Bacon on a 30-yard strike down the Washburn sideline for the seniors first career touchdown, pushing the lead to 34-20.

Doyin Jibowu picked off a pair of passes late, one setting up another Brandon Brown field goal to round out the scoring.

Fort Hays State outgained Washburn 549 yards to 291 overall. Charles Tigner rushed for 171 yards on 20 carries and touchdown, all in the second half. Kenneth Iheme added another 103 for his third straight 100-yard game.

Jacob Mezera completed 23 of 36 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Burchfield had six catches for 82 yards and Bacon six for 76. Both had a touchown. Layne Bieberle hauled in five passes 68 yards.