The annual Fort Hays State football spring game took place on Saturday morning (Apr. 28) at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays, Kan. The team was split into two squads, Black and Gold, with Black winning on a touchdown at the end of the scrimmage 21-20. The teams played three 15-minute periods.
The Gold team took the early advantage on a 42-yard field goal by Tyler Kimbrough, capping a nine-play, 50-yard drive. It was the only points put on the board by either team in the first period.
The Black took its first advantage of the game on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Sheppard to tight end Eli Cordon, which capped a seven-play, 64-yard drive.
Gold took the lead back though, going up 10-7 on a 17-yard touchdown run by Ed Smith, which capped a four-play 30 yard drive after a blocked punt by Treyvius Alexander. Smith went on to rush for 82 yards on 16 carries, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
The Black took the lead back late in the second period as Treveon Albert hauled in a 33-yard pass from Sheppard up the sideline, pinning the ball against the defender to make the grab. That put Black back in front 14-10. However, the Gold put together a quick drive to get Kimbrough set up for a 29-yard field goal to make the score 14-13 at the end of the second.
The teams were scoreless for nearly the entire third period until the Gold took the lead back as time expired on the clock on a Sheppard 34-yard touchdown pass to Cornelius Gallon up the right sideline. Gallon finished the game with 59 yards on three catches. It looked as though Gold had won the scrimmage 20-14, but Coach Brown wanted to see Treveon Albert run 10 plays at quarterback after playing wide receiver all game.
So, in an untimed drive, Albert would show his ability by taking the Black team down the field and on the 10th-play found Treyvius Alexander for a 22-yard touchdown pass. A Kimbrough extra-point put the Black back on top 21-20 to conclude the action. Alexander caught four passes for 52 yards for the Black.
Sheppard had a solid afternoon throwing the ball, going 12-of-21 passing for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Shaun Ohlde was a workhorse running the ball, carrying 15 times for the Black and seven times for the Gold, accumulating 86 yards on the ground
Caleb Crocker posted a solid outing on defense, recording nine tackles for the Gold squad. Basil Bandy recorded two sacks, Layton Hickel had a forced fumble, and Austin Hubert recorded the only interception of the day.
Fort Hays State will return to action in August in preparation for the 2012 season, which starts on August 30 at Emporia State University. For season ticket information on the five home games this coming year, call (785) 628-4050. Home opponents for FHSU this year include Washburn, Missouri Western, Lindenwood, Lincoln, and Central Missouri.
– FHSU Sports Information –