Box Score

The Fort Hays State football team fell to Nebraska-Omaha 41-29 in Omaha on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 16). Several costly mistakes hurt the Tigers in their attempt to snap a three-game losing streak. The Tigers are now 3-4 overall and 1-4 in the MIAA.

The Tigers were looking strong early with a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Nebraska-Omaha scored 10 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 17-14 lead. The rash of mistakes began when officials ruled that James Walker fumbled the ball before reaching the endzone on a pass from Mike Garrison with just under 30 seconds remaining in the first half.

The Tiger defense came up big early in the second half, after a fumble on the kick return at the beginning of the half gave the Mavericks a short field. The Tigers forced a field goal attempt from 40 yards that missed. On the next UNO possession, Seth Blackwell intercepted a pass at the FHSU 20-yardline to stop another drive.

After a pair of fruitless drives by the offense, the Tigers forced a three-and-out at the UNO 38-yardline, but Korey Allison fumbled the ensuing punt which the Mavericks recovered in the endzone for a touchdown to make the score 24-14.

A 26-yard field goal by Tyler Kimbrough got the Tigers back within one possession at the 5:43 mark of the third quarter, but the Mavericks widened their lead thanks to a pair of huge runs of over 30 yards on the next possession which led to a touchdown and a 31-17 lead.

The Tigers quickly retaliated with the big-play combo of Mike Garrison and O.J. Murdock hooking up for a 77-yard touchdown pass. However, the Tigers stubbed their toe once again as the extra point was blocked.

The blocked extra point would come back to bite the Tigers, as they had the opportunity to tie the game after Garrison and Murdock hooked up for their second touchdown of the game from nine yards out with 7:59 remaining in the game. The two point conversion failed, leaving the Tigers down by two at 31-29.

Another breakdown on special teams allowed UNO return man Camren Torneden to take the ensuing kickoff 92 yards to the Tiger 8-yardline. The defense held its ground again, allowing the Mavericks just a field goal.

The Tigers came up empty on the next possession, but a punt of just 12 yards gave UNO a short field again, which they capitalized on driving 38 yards for a touchdown to put the game away.

Mike Garrison and O.J. Murdock had huge games offensively for the Tigers. Garrison threw for over 400 yards for the first time in his career, completing 23-of-35 attempts for 407 yards. It was just the fifth time in FHSU history that a quarterback threw for over 400 yards in a game. Murdock had the most receiving yards of his career as a Tiger, racking up 208 yards on nine catches with the two touchdowns. James Walker also had a big game, catching seven passes for 110 yards and rushing for 67 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts.

Murdock and Walker's performances gave Fort Hays State its first pair of 100-yard receivers in the same game since October 28, 1995, when Lance Schwindt and Kahn Powell achieved the feat. Murdock and Walker combined for 318 receiving yards in the game, the fourth-most yards between a receiving duo in a game at FHSU.

The Tigers outgained the Mavericks in total offense 474 yards to 304 yards. The Tiger defense held the Mavericks to 105 yards under their total offense average for the season and the second lowest offensive production by an MIAA opponent this season. The Mavericks had just 85 passing yards in the game. However, the mistakes were too much to overcome in the loss.

Alex Whitehill had another huge game defensively, leading the team in tackles with 14 and recording one of two interceptions for the Tigers. Layton Hickel was right behind in tackles with 13. Jacob Crossman recorded the only sack of the game for FHSU.

The Tigers host Pittsburg State next week in Hays, a team that enters with an identical 3-4 overall and 1-4 mark in the MIAA. Game time is set for 2 pm at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays.