Box Score

Fort Hays State fell to Missouri Southern in Hays by a score of 41-31 on Senior Day at Lewis Field Stadium. The Tigers and Lions were tied 10-10 at halftime, but the Lions scored 14 unanswered points in the third quarter to take control of the game.

A James Walker touchdown with 11:58 remaining pulled the Tigers back within seven points, but Missouri Southern scored the next 10 points with a 21-yard field goal and then a 19-yard pass from Collin Howard to Ne'Ronte Threat. That put the Lions up 34-17 with 6:47 remaining in the game. The Tigers scored two more touchdowns late, separated by another touchdown from the Lions.

Both teams put up more than 500 yards of total offense, with the Tigers having the edge 529 to 517. Most of the damage from both teams was through the air with FHSU throwing for 415 yards and Missouri Southern for 378. The difference was three interceptions by the Lions, which thwarted two Tiger drives deep in Lion territory.

Mike Garrison led the Tigers with a career-high 415 yards on 27-of-50 passing, but had three interceptions. He threw for two touchdowns, both coming late in the game hitting Cordarol Scales from 45 yards out and Chris Williams from 46 yards out. Scales led the team with 129 receiving yards on five catches. James Walker had two rushing touchdowns in the game with 62 rushing yards.

Ne'Ronte Threat had a huge game for the Lions, posting 225 receiving yards on 10 catches with two touchdowns. Collin Howard was 18-of-28 passing for 328 yards and one touchdown. Cornell Gedward had 134 yards on 30 carries with two touchdowns.

Defensively, Jacob Crossman had three sacks for the Tigers. Seth Blackwell, Michael Walker, and Alex Whitehill all recorded a team-high 10 tackles in the game. Justin Cowper, Demond Horsely, and Eric Willis led MSSU in tackles, each with six. Scott Langill, Josh Woodard, and Skyler Vandiver all had interceptions for the Lions.

A scary moment for FHSU happened when O.J. Murdock was hit in the endzone in the fourth quarter, attempting to catch a pass. He was moving his extremities, but had to be carted off the field. Severity of his injury is unknown.

The Tigers close out the season next Saturday (Nov. 13) in St. Joseph, Mo., at Missouri Western. Game time is set for 1:30 pm.