A late fourth-quarter touchdown allowed Fort Hays State to force overtime, but the Tigers fell 27-24 at Washburn on Saturday (Oct. 4) in Topeka, Kan. After a FHSU field goal in the extra-period, Washburn ran the ball into the endzone from 15 yards out for the win. FHSU moved to 3-2 overall, 3-2 in the MIAA, while Washburn moved to 2-3 overall, 2-3 MIAA.

Fort Hays State took control early, scoring on its first drive of the game. The Tigers marched 75 yards, all on rushing plays, and took a 7-0 lead with an Edward Smith 16-yard touchdown run.

The Ichabods knotted the game up with 4:49 remaining in the first quarter on a short one-yard touchdown run by Sean McPherson right after a 72-yard pass completion from Zeke Palmer to Jordan Hart.

The Tigers had a quick response as a minute and 41 seconds later, Treveon Albert found Ed Williams on a quick slant and Williams split the defense in the middle of the field and dashed for the endzone. The passing touchdown went for 40 yards, putting the Tigers back in front 14-7. For the rest of the half, both teams struggled to get any more offense going and the Tigers led by seven at the break.

The Tiger defense held its ground on the first two drives of the second half, including a stop of the Ichabods a yard short of a first down on 4th-and-2 at the FHSU 36-yardline. Unfortunately, the next Tiger drive would change the complexion of the game.

On 3rd-and-9 from the Washburn 36, Albert threw a pass that was batted and he came back down with the ball, but then tried to throw the ball again, which resulted in an illegal forward pass penalty. On the next play, a bad snap over Drew O'Brien's head in punt formation was recovered by the Tigers all the way down on the FHSU 24-yardline. That turned the ball over on downs to the Ichabods with the short field.

Washburn capitalized on the momentum shift as Palmer found Brad Gourley from 20 yards out to get the game tied back up at 14-14 with 6:36 to go in the third quarter.

The Tigers looked to grab to the momentum back following a 43-yard pass connection between Albert and Williams, putting the ball at the Washburn 7-yardline. On first down, Albert rushed for five yards down to the 2-yardline, then on second down, Smith rushed for another yard, making it 3rd-and-goal from the 1-yardline. Washburn's defense stood its ground and denied the Tigers from the endzone twice, Smith coming up short on third down on a leaping dive, and Albert stuffed on the quarterback sneak.

That stop triggered a 12-play, 99-yard scoring drive for Washburn, capped on a seven-yard touchdown run by Vershon Moore to give Washburn its first lead of the game, 21-14 with 13:36 to go in the game.

After two unsuccessful drives, the Tigers had their final chance with 1:56 to go in the game, starting from the Washburn 38-yardline. With 55 seconds remaining, Albert found Smith on an 11-yard touchdown pass connection and O'Brien provided the extra-point to tie the game.

Washburn moved the ball down to the FHSU 44-yardline before Daniel Lindsey ended any potential threat for a game-winning field goal with an interception at the FHSU 31-yardline. That secured the overtime session.

Fort Hays State had the ball first in overtime and moved the ball all the way down to the 3-yardline. On third down, a pass to the corner of the endzone was just a bit too high for Bilal Salat to corral, and the Tigers had to settle for a 20-yard field goal from O'Brien to take a 24-21 lead.

The Tigers were one play from winning the game when Washburn opted to go for a first down on 4th-and-1 from the 16-yardline, but running back Vershon Moore scratched out the yard needed for a first down. On the next play, Palmer found DaJuan Beard on a post route in the endzone, but he was hit hard jarring the ball and after initially being called a touchdown, the officials gathered and decided to overturn the call, ruling an incomplete pass. After both teams returned to the sidelines, Washburn quickly recovered from the ruling as Moore bounced off several Tiger tacklers and found the endzone from 15 yards out, giving the Ichabods a 27-24 overtime win.

Ed Williams posted the third 100-yard receiving game of his career, going for 121 yards on six catches. Treveon Albert threw for 217 yards on 20-of-32 passing with two touchdowns, and also rushed for a team-high 93 yards. Edward Smith added 83 rushing yards and 21 receiving yards with both a rushing and receiving touchdown. Justin McPhail led the Tiger defense with nine tackles, a fumble recovery, and a half sack. Brock Long added eight tackles and a half sack.

For Washburn, Palmer threw for 275 yards and a touchdown, completing 17-of-30 attempts with an interception. Moore rushed for 108 yards on 21 carries. Hart had 138 receiving yards.

The Tigers look to bounce back from their first road loss of the season when they host Missouri Western for Homecoming next week in Hays. Game time is set for 7 pm at Lewis Field Stadium.