HAYS – Charles Tigner rushed for 111 yards and the Fort Hays State defense held Emporia State to just a third quarter field goal in a 19-3 homecoming win in front of 6,735 Saturday night at Lewis Field. The Tigers have won four straight to improve to 4-2. The Hornets have lost two straight and dropped to 2-4.

The Tiger defense was solid from the start, forcing five straight 3 and outs n the first half while holding the Hornets to 93 yards at halftime.

After being forced to punt on their first two possessions, FHSU scored on four straight to lead 16-0 halftime lead. Dante Brown booted field goals of 34, 31 and 42 yards. D.J. Hickman scored the only touchdown of the game on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Chance Fuller with 10:35 to play in the second quarter.

The Hornets only points came on their first drive of the third quarter. After moving the ball to the Tiger seven, they had to settle for a 24-yard Clark Schoonover field goal. They moved the ball to the Tiger 12 on their second possession but missed on a 29 yard field goal try.

The Tigers only points of the second half came on a 21 yard field goal from Brown with 6:19 to play in the fourth capping a nine-play, 61-yard drive.

Brown’s four field goals gives him 41 for his career, the most in FHSU history.

The Tigers had 392 yards of offense, paced by Tigner’s 111 yards on 22 carries. Hickman added 63 on 10 carries.

Chance Fuller completed 10-of-26 passes for 209 yards. Harley Hazlett had six catches for 44 yards. Manny Ramsey added four for 72 yards and Layne Bieberle hauled in three for 51 yards.

The Hornets finished with 276 yards. Quarterback Dalton Cowan completed 14 of 29 passes for 129 yards and one interception and was sacked once.