Box Score

The Fort Hays State football team hosted Truman on Saturday (Sept. 18) in Hays for the first game of MIAA play. The Tiger offense sputtered and struggled until midway through the fourth quarter, scoring three unanswered touchdowns to pull away for a 34-9 win. The Tigers move to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the MIAA.

On a chilly, misty night in Hays, both teams struggled to move the ball early. The Tigers opened the scoring finally at the 8:50 mark of the second quarter with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Mike Garrison to Beau Gadwood. Truman evened the score on the following drive on a 15-yard touchdown run by quarterback Phil Davis.

The Tigers took the lead back on a thrilling 47-yard touchdown pass from Mike Garrison to James Walker. Garrison was nearly sacked with a defender hanging on him, but found Walker at the last second, who broke a couple of tackles and motored to the endzone with 23 seconds remaining in the first half.

Neither team scored in the third and the game tightened when FHSU had a bad snap in punt formation that punter Ethan Kosjer had to knock out of the endzone for a safety.

The Tigers grabbed the momentum back on fourth-and-one at the Truman 24, as Garrison threw a play-action pass over the top to O.J. Murdock for a touchdown with 7:27 remaining in the game. The Tigers would keep rolling from that point, adding touchdown runs from James Walker and Mike Garrison late.

The Tigers ended their drought of no turnovers on the season with four on the night (three interceptions and one fumble). Michael Walker, Nick Dreitz, and Timothy Parker all recorded interceptions and Aaron Burton forced the fumble the Tigers recovered. Alex Whitehill led in tackles once again with 10. Jacob Crossman had seven tackles, including three for loss and two sacks.

Despite the struggles early, the Tigers still managed to churn out 492 yards of total offense. Mike Garrison had 325 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-35 passing. James Walker ran for 114 yards and one touchdown. O.J. Murdock was the top receiving target, catching six passes for 128 yards and one touchdown.

Phil Davis was the top offensive performer for Truman, with 69 rushing yards and 84 passing yards. He threw just one of Truman's three interceptions in the game.

The Tigers play their first road game of the season next week at long-time rival Emporia State. Game time is set for 1 pm in Emporia, Kan., on Saturday, Sept. 25. It will be the 84th meeting all-time between the schools, dating all the way back to 1923.