Box Score

The Fort Hays State football team moved to 4-5 overall for the season with a 41-27 win at South Dakota Mines on Saturday (Oct. 27) in Rapid City, S.D. The win gives FHSU a three-game winning streak heading into its final home contest of the season.

FHSU opened the scoring in the first quarter at the 5:24 mark when Tarean Austin found Cornelius Gallon from 15 yards out.

South Dakota Mines struck for the first time with four seconds remaining in the opening quarter with a six-yard touchdown run by Chris Sawdey, but FHSU kept the Hardrockers out of the endzone on a 2-point conversion attempt, keeping the lead at 7-6.

On the second play of Fort Hays State's next drive, Shaquille Cooper broke free for a 63-yard touchdown run, the same exact touchdown run length he had in the win over Lincoln the week before.

South Dakota Mines pulled back within one by taking advantage of fumble forced from FHSU quarterback deep in Tiger territory. The Hardrockers scored on a 22-yard pass on the first play following the turnover.

The Tigers found the endzone with just one second remaining in the first half on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Austin to Tanner Hageman, which pushed their advantage back to eight.

The Tigers pulled away in the third quarter with a 27-yard field goal by Drew O'Brien and a one-yard touchdown run by Anthony Sheppard. The play that broke the game open for FHSU was a blocked field goal by Keke Paul, which he picked up and returned 80 yards for a touchdown with 42 seconds remaining in the third. That pushed the FHSU lead to 38-13. Drew O'Brien tacked on one more field goal for the Tigers from 39 yards early in the fourth before the Hardrockers picked up a pair of touchdowns later in the final quarter.

Shaquille Cooper led the FHSU rushing attack, which had 212 yards on the ground, with 103 yards. It was his second straight week with over 100 yards rushing. Anthony Sheppard added 88 yards on the ground.

Tarean Austin was 18-of-30 passing for 196 yards with two touchdowns. Hageman had a team-high seven receptions and Ed Williams tied him in receiving yards with 64 on just four catches.

Layton Hickel led the defense with 12 tackles. Michael Terry had the lone interception for FHSU.

Fort Hays State hosts Central Missouri for Senior Day on Saturday, November 3 at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays. Game time is set for 2 pm.