The Fort Hays State Tigers turn the ball over five times including twice in the fourth quarter and lose their homecoming game to Lindenwood 20-17 in front of 3,345 Saturday night at Lewis Field.
Fort Hays State (1-5, 1-5) led 17-13 and forced the Lions to punt, but Keaton Callins muffed the return giving Lindenwood (5-1, 4-1) the ball at the Tiger 15. Two plays later they would score to lead 20-17.
The Tigers drove down to the Lions four, but Tarean Austin threw an interception in the endzone with 1:17 left.
FHSU held a one-point lead at halftime thanks to a 12-yard TD pass from Tarean Austin to Tanner Hagemen with 47 seconds to play. It capped a 10 play 75 yard drive following a Lindenwood touchdown which gave the Lions a 13-7 lead.
Austin scored the Tigers first touchdown on an 8-yard run with 11:05 to play in the second quarter. Cornelius Gallon hauled in a 39-yard pass on the final play of the first quarter to set up the score.
Lindenwood scored first on a 36-yard field goal to cap a 13-play drive on their first possession.
The Tigers had a fumble and interception on their first two possessions but the defense bailed them out with two fourth-down stops.