The FHSU football team finished the 2010 season with a 48-21 loss at Missouri Western Saturday (Nov. 13). The Tigers finished the year at 3-8 overall and 1-8 in the MIAA.

The Tigers never recovered from a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown to open the game by the Griffons. The Tigers turned the ball over three times in the first quarter, which led to an MWSU lead of 28-0 after the first frame. The Griffons led 38-7 by halftime.

Fort Hays State outgained MWSU in total offensive yards 553 to 326. Mike Garrison had 435 yards passing, completing 36-of-64 attempts with one touchdown and four interceptions. James Walker led the rushing attack with 120 yards and two touchdowns. O.J. Murdock returned from injury the previous week to lead FHSU in receiving with 168 yards on 10 catches and one touchdown.

Even in the loss, Garrison became the most prolific passer in FHSU history. He broke the single-season and career records for passing yards. He finished with 7,014 passing yards, passing the old mark of 7,005 set by Robert Long. He finished with 3,513 passing yards this season, passing the old season record of 3,497 by Shawn Behr in 1995. He broke the career completions record, finishing with 535, passing the old mark of 527 by Robert Long. He tied for the career passing touchdowns record with 49.

O.J. Murdock broke the single-season receiving yards record, finishing with 1,290 this year. The old mark was 1,269, set by Xavier Brown in 1996. He tied the single-season record at FHSU for yards per catch (21.5), also posted by Marty Boxberger in 1984.

Alex Whitehill, Jacob Crossman, and Namari Flentroy led the Tigers in tackles in the game, each with seven. Crossman had three tackles for loss in the game.

Kevin Verdugo ended his six-year run as head coach of the Tigers with a record of 18-47. His best season at the helm of the program came last year with a 6-5 mark.