JOPLIN, Mo. – Fort Hays State Football improved to 4-2 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA with a 35-22 win over Missouri Southern on Saturday (Oct. 7). The Tigers led at the end of each quarter on the way to their sixth-straight win over the Lions in Joplin, which dates back to the 2009 season. MSSU fell to 3-3 overall and 3-3 in the MIAA.
 
The Tigers were able to shake off a couple of mistakes in each half that led to a pair of Lion touchdowns, but otherwise did a great job at controlling the flow of the game. The Tigers dominated time of possession by controlling the ball nearly 11 more than the Lions. That allowed the Tigers to run 15 more plays in the game than the Lions, outgaining them by 130 yards (441 to 301).
 
The Tigers had strong success running the ball, finishing with 199 yards as a team. Shane Watts led the attack with a season-high 96 yards with one touchdown. Quarterback Jack Dawson notched 57 yards with a rushing touchdown, and Travis Dixon found the endzone twice on short yardage plunges.
 
After Missouri Southern converted a field goal on its first drive of the game, the Tiger offense went to work with a methodical 14-play, 92-yard drive that covered 6:45 to take a 7-3 lead. That was the score at the end of the first frame as quarterback Jack Dawson completed 9-of-11 passing attempts on the drive, the biggest a 33-yard touchdown connection with Shane Watts.
 
The Tigers marched deep into Lion territory again early in the second quarter, but made a mistake by throwing an interception in the endzone. Instead of getting some form of points, it allowed the Lions to regain their footing and march 80 yards for a touchdown to take a 9-7 lead after a missed PAT try. But, the Tigers immediately shook off the mistake with another long drive, this time 13 plays over 75 yards capped on a two-yard touchdown plunge by Travis Dixon with 12 seconds remaining in the opening half. That gave the Tigers a 14-9 advantage at the break.
 
The Tiger offense moved a bit quicker on the first drive of the second half, going 66 yards over six plays to reach the endzone again on a Dawson two-yard run. However, looking as though they had control of the game again after forcing a 3-and-out of the Lions' offense, the punt struck an FHSU player in the leg setting up a short field for the Lions. The momentum went back to MSSU as it covered 29 yards and scored another touchdown off a Tiger mistake, but once again missed the PAT try leaving the score at 21-15.
 
Fort Hays State was able to take control of the momentum once again with another touchdown drive late in the third quarter. The Tigers covered 67 yards over nine plays capped on another two-yard dive by Dixon. They led 28-15 going to the final quarter.
 
The Lions were able to tighten the screws once again with a touchdown on their first drive of the fourth quarter, getting back within six point with 10:11 to play. But the Tigers delivered the dagger with another big time-consuming drive, covering 75 yards in 10 plays capped on a six-yard touchdown run by Shane Watts with 3:39 to play. On the ensuing MSSU drive, John Johnson intercepted a pass near midfield to seal the victory for FHSU.
 
Dawson finished the game with 242 passing yards, completing 25-of-33 attempts. Trevor Watts hauled in a team-high eight passes for 57 yards. Shane Watts finished the game with 143 all-purpose yards between rushing and receiving. Sam Brandt and Makel Williams led FHSU in tackles with 10 each, while Johnson had eight to go with his interception.
 
For Missouri Southern, Luke Sampson threw completed 20-of-34 passes for 185 yards. Nathan Glades led in rushing with 60 yards, while Deontay Campbell had a team high six receptions for 52 yards. Zach Bergmann led the Lions on defense with 12 tackles and an interception.
 
Fort Hays State returns to Hays to host Nebraska-Kearney next week on Saturday (Oct. 14). Kickoff will be at 1 p.m. at Lewis Field Stadium.