Fort Hays State football fell by a score of 26-7 to Missouri Western on Homecoming Saturday (Oct. 11) in Hays. The Griffons improved to 4-2 overall and 4-2 in the MIAA, while the Tigers dropped to 3-3 overall and 3-3 in the MIAA.

Missouri Western never trailed in the game, building a 10-0 lead in the first quarter with a 71-yard touchdown run by Raphael Spencer and a 33-yard field goal by John Schmiemeier.

Fort Hays State made it interesting in the second quarter when Treveon Albert found Isaiah Maxi for a 4-yard touchdown pass with 6:21 remaining before halftime. The Tiger drive went 10 plays for 80 yards. Kenneth Iheme had a 20-yard reception and Ed Williams had receptions of 16 and 18 yards on the drive.

The Griffons added a field goal with 14 seconds remaining in the first half. Schmiemeier connected from 35 yards to make it 13-7 in favor of the Griffons at the break.

Missouri Western took its opening drive of the second half 75 yards on 10 plays, capped with a Skyler Windmiller 4-yard touchdown run. The 2-point conversion attempt failed as the pass was picked off by Brock Long, but not returnable.

The Tiger offense struggled in the third quarter, recording only one first down. Then a blocked punt by the Griffons near the end of the quarter provided a short field and Spencer capped a quick 12-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run, making it 26-7.

The Tigers pushed the ball deep into MWSU territory three times in the final quarter, but turned the ball over on downs twice and threw an interception once inside the MWSU 30-yardline.

Fort Hays State had only 210 yards of total offense through the first three quarters, but managed to put up 186 in the fourth despite never reaching the endzone on three good opportunities. The Tigers wound up outgaining the Griffons in total yards for the game, 396-355. Turnovers were key in the game as Missouri Western won that battle 3-0 (FHSU was intercepted twice and fumbled the ball away once).

Albert finished with 343 passing yards, completing 30-of-49 attempts with two interceptions and one touchdown. Williams had a great night receiving the ball with 215 yards on 15 catches, the first 200-yard receiving game of his career and fourth game of 100 or more yards. It also marked the fourth-highest single-game total of receiving yards in FHSU history (240 is the school record). He was one catch shy of tying the FHSU single-game record for receptions. Iheme led the Tigers in rushing with 39 yards. Micheal Jordan was a bright spot for the Tigers defensively, recording 19 tackles (12 unassisted).

Spencer had a big night for MWSU in the ground game, rushing for 165 yards on 23 attempts with his two touchdowns. Windmiller threw for 153 yards, completing 15-of-26 passes. Dee Tolliver was the top receiver for the Griffons with 49 yards on five catches. Stephen Juergens led the Griffons on defense with 12 tackles.

The Tigers head back on the road next week to face in-state rival Emporia State in Emporia, Kan. Kickoff is set for 2 pm.