Fort Hays State football rolled to a 48-13 win over Northeastern State on Saturday (Sept. 13) in Tahlequah, Okla. The Tigers evened up their record for the season at 1-1 overall and 1-1 in the MIAA. Northeastern State dropped to 0-2 overall and 0-2 in the MIAA. It was the first-ever win for FHSU over NSU in the brief three-game series history between the programs.

The Tigers had a much better week on offense, gaining 408 yards overall compared to just 181 in the season opener. However, the start of the game was similar to last week in that the Tigers had a 3-and-out on the first two drives of the game. Northeastern State took the early advantage with a methodical 12-play, 80-yard drive in the first quarter to go up 6-0, but Nathan Lindsey blocked the extra-point attempt.

The Tigers finally found a rhythm late in the first quarter on offense. Kenneth Iheme had a big 19-yard rush and a facemask penalty tacked on to get the ball down to the NSU 13-yardline. A few plays later, Treveon Albert scampered into the endzone from four yards out and Drew O'Brien tacked on the extra-point to give FHSU its first lead of the year at 7-6.

The Tigers would not look back from that point, scoring 48 unanswered points. A pair of Drew O'Brien field goals in the second quarter from 41 and 38 yards tacked on six, and a 27-yard pass from Albert to Iheme later in the second made it 20-6 in favor of the Tigers at halftime.

Fort Hays State found the endzone twice more in the third quarter. A Justin McPhail interception sparked the first scoring drive, capped by an 11-yard touchdown pass from Albert to Isaiah Maxi. Later, the Tigers marched down the field with Albert reaching the endzone again with his legs from nine yards out. The Tigers were in control heading to the fourth, up 34-6.

Turnovers sparked the final two touchdown drives for the Tigers. A big hit from Nathan Lindsey broke up a pass that flew into the hands of Alex Schmidtberger at the NSU 32-yardline. Albert went on to find Ed Williams in the endzone through the air from 12 yards out, making it 41-6. On the ensuing kickoff, DeAndre James forced a fumble on the return that Tyler Bacon scooped up at the NSU 10-yardline. Edward Smith went on to score from three yards out, pushing the lead to 48-6. NSU broke the scoring run for FHSU with a quick four-play, 67-yard touchdown drive, but was too little, too late as the Tigers had the game well at hand.

Albert had a hand in five touchdowns for the Tigers, three passing and two rushing. He was 12-of-22 passing for 149 yards with one interception, and he rushed for 24 yards. Early in the game, while Kevin Spain was quarterback, Albert caught three passes for 24 yards. Ed Williams led the Tigers in receiving with eight catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. Edward Smith led FHSU in rushing with 70 yards on 10 carries.

Defensively, McPhail, Michael Terry, and Brock Long led the Tigers in tackles, each with eight. Terry had a sack, while McPhail and Long shared one. Johnny Hubbard III also had a sack. McPhail and Schmidtberger each had interceptions. FHSU surrendered 345 yards, but won the turnover battle 4-1.

The Tigers moved to 5-0 in the MIAA Television Network Game of the Week since the beginning of the 2012 season. The Tigers will be featured in the Game of the Week once more this season in two weeks at Pittsburg State.

Fort Hays State hosts Lindenwood at home next week in the annual Tailgreat game at Lewis Field. Kickoff is set for 7 pm in Hays.