No. 5 Fort Hays State scored 14 points in the final 4:46 to rally for an improbable 20-16 win over 18th-ranked Central Missouri in the season opener for both Thursday night at Lewis Field. The win was the 50th for head coach Chris Brown, moving him within five of Bob Cortese for the most in FHSU history.

Down 16-6, Jacob Mezera engineered a six-play, 70-yard drive capped by a 37-yard touchdown pass to Jmari Davis with 4:46 to play to close the gap to 16-13.

Chris Brown Postgame Press Conference

Layne Bieberle Postgame Interview

Tanner Hoekman Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

Sheldon Schmidt recovered a fumble from UCM backup quarterback Kyle Bradley at the Mules four yard line on the next possession. Mezera then found Layne Bieberle on a five-yard strike on third down to give the Tigers their first lead with 3:05 to play.

The Mules drove to the FHSU 46 before Tanner Hoekman intercepted Bradley at the 25 yard line to seal the victory.

The Mules gained 508 yards in the game but fumbled at the Tigers six yard line on their first possession, had a field goal blocked and missed an extra point.

Jacob Mezera completed 19 of 40 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Layne Bieberle tied his career high with eight receptions for 112 yards and Charles Tigner rushed for 80 yards on 11 carries.

Doyin Jibowu had 12 tackles including the Tigers only sack. Jose Delgado, Aquil Knowles and Hoekman all had 10 tackles.