Box Score

The Fort Hays State football team dropped a tight contest with Southwest Baptist in non-conference play on Saturday evening (Sept. 17) in Hays by a score of 30-28. The Tigers had a chance to take the lead with just over 50 seconds remaining, but Tyler Kimbrough's 42-yard field goal attempt hooked left into the misty night allowing SBU to escape with the two-point win.

Southwest Baptist had a chance to put the Tigers on the ropes late, but Korey Allison kept the Tigers within two with an interception at the FHSU 4-yardline. The Tigers, however, could not capitalize on the turnover going three-and-out on their ensuing drive.

That put the pressure on the defense to make another stop, which they did, forcing a three-and-out by the Bearcats. The Tigers used all three of their timeouts on the drive.

FHSU took over after a punt at their own 31-yardline. Blake McAhren completed a 16-yard pass to Keaton Callins on 4th-and-10 to keep the drive alive. He then connected with Chase Leake for a 28-yard pass to get FHSU in field goal range with under a minute remaining. It would not be enough though as the field goal attempt to potentially win the game sailed left after the late drive stalled out.

Southwest Baptist took the lead for good on a 25-yard field goal by John Collyer with 12:34 remaining in the game. It came on the heels of an 18-play, 72-yard methodical drive by SBU that chewed up 8:44 on the clock.

The Tigers had another solid game on the ground, rushing for 225 yards as a team. Andre Smith led the way with 89 yards, followed closely by Edward Smith with 88. Andre Smith had the only rushing touchdown for FHSU from seven yards out, which gave FHSU a 28-27 lead at the 6:18 mark of the third quarter.

Blake McAhren threw for 162 yards on 12-of-21 passing and three touchdowns. His first two touchdowns of the game were to tight ends Chase Leake and Grant Brown from 11 yards and four yards respectively. The other touchdown pass was a 43-yard strike to Anthony Smith.

Thad Everson of SBU ended with 110 yards rushing and one touchdown, from one yard out. Justin Duhaney had the other touchdown on the ground for SBU, a 44-yard effort. SBU quarterback Dan Connors finished was very efficient, completing 16-of-19 passes with one touchdown and one interception. The only scores of the second half for SBU were on field goals from Collyer (41 and 25 yards).

Fort Hays State senior linebacker Alex Whitehill finished with a career-high 20 tackles in the game and now has 54 through three games this year. He led NCAA Division II in tackles entering the game. Korey Allison finished with 16 tackles, a half-sack (shared with Whitehill) and an interception. Chris Hawkins and Zach Moore led the SBU defense with nine tackles each.