Box Score

Fort Hays State hosted East Central University on Saturday evening (Sept. 4) in Hays at Lewis Field Stadium. For the second straight week the Tigers scored 45 points and moved to 2-0 with a 45-23 win. The Tigers racked up 513 yards of total offense, paced by 358 passing yards by Mike Garrison.

The Tigers reached the endzone five times through the air, allowing Garrison to tie the school record for touchdown passes. Three of his touchdown passes were to O.J. Murdock, and the other two to Cordarol Scales. Garrison tied three other FHSU quarterbacks for the school record, which has now occurred five times in school history. The last time was when Jason Brown had five against Fort Lewis on Sept. 30, 2000. Garrison finished 16-of-25 passing. He also scored the only rushing touchdown for FHSU, a seven-yarder late in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring for the Tigers.

All of Murdock's touchdowns were big gainers. His first reception of the game was a 66-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. He scored in the second quarter on a 16-yard pass. His third and final score was a tight rope act on the sideline on an 80-yard pass. Murdock finished the night with four catches for 175 yards. He is averaging 34.0 yards per reception so far this year.

Scales' only two receptions of the evening were touchdowns. He caught a 13-yard fade pass to the back corner of the endzone near the end of the first half. He then caught a 34-yard pass in the third quarter. All three of Scales' receptions on the year have gone for touchdowns. Scales is averaging 31.7 yards per game this season.

The Tiger rushing attack churned out 155 yards. James Walker led the way with 63 yards on 19 attempts. Garrison finished with 52 yards on six attempts and Ricky Jacques had 46 yards on 12 attempts.

Alex Whitehill led all tacklers for FHSU with 11. Brock Einspahr added eight and Roderick Jenrette had seven.

Tyler Vanderzee was the top performer for East Central, throwing for 276 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-31 passing. He hooked up with receiver Zack Patteson eight times for 132 yards.

This was the first win for Fort Hays State over a Lone Star Conference school since joining NCAA Division II in 1991. The Tigers were 0-6 since 1991 against Lone Star teams until the win over East Central.

Fort Hays State has a bye week and then hosts Truman the following Saturday (Sept. 18) in Hays for the annual Tailgreat event. Reserve your plot for Tailgreat by calling the Hays Chamber of Commerce at (785) 628-8201.