KEARNEY, Neb. – Fort Hays State fell by a score of 28-27 to Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 7). The Tigers scored a touchdown with 28 seconds remaining, but had the extra-point blocked to keep the game from potentially going to overtime. FHSU is now 3-7 overall, 2-6 in the MIAA, while UNK moved to 2-8 overall and 2-6 in the MIAA.
Fort Hays St. had 20 first downs to Neb.-Kearney's 13 and held the ball for 34:05, but lost a pair of fumbles that resulted in touchdowns both times for the Lopers. The Tigers outgained the Lopers in total offense 343-233, but costly mistakes in key situations were once again were too much to overcome.
After a scoreless first quarter, both teams posted 14 points in the second. UNK struck first with a short 8-yard field to work with off FHSU's first lost fumble of the game, but responded with an
AG Floyd 5-yard touchdown run at the 5:45 mark. A 39-yard reception by Bryce Lakers from Devin Tate put the Lopers back up a touchdown, but with 22 seconds remaining in the quarter
LaAngelo Bell plunged in for a touchdown to tie the game before halftime.
Fort Hays State took its first lead just over four and a half minutes into the second half on a
Sam Harp 4-yard touchdown run. The Tigers went to the fourth quarter with a 21-14 lead. However, the second lost fumble, this time at the Tigers' own 4-yard line helped the Lopers tie the game once more on the next play, a 4-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Harris.
Nebraska-Kearney pinned the Tigers deep in their own territory once again and this time a short punt allowed the Lopers to have just a 23-yard field to work with. The Lopers took the lead on an 8-yard Eddie Schultz catch from Tate.
On their final drive of the game, the Tigers marched an impressive 84 yards in 12 plays and scored a touchdown with 28 seconds remaining on 4
th-and-goal at the UNK 1.
Cade Evans hauled in a
Major Cantrell toss to give the Tigers the opportunity to tie the game. However, it was not to be as the extra-point was blocked and the Lopers picked up the 1-point win on their home field.
Cantrell finished with 259 passing yards, completing 26-of-39 attempts. Bell led the FHSU rushing attack with 47 yards and
Kolton Coleman led in receiving with 81 yards.
Legend Robinson led the Tigers in tackles with seven, while
Gaven Haselhorst had a sack and a forced fumble,
Michael Polley had a sack, and
Matthew McBride recorded his sixth interception of the season. McBride's six interceptions ties the most by a defensive player under
Chris Brown and second-most for a season in program history.
Tate threw for 86 yards for UNK and added 21 rushing yards. Calin Arndt had 42 rushing yards. Gunnar Lym led UNK in tackles with 11.
Fort Hays State will close out its 2026 season next Saturday (Nov. 14) against Emporia State in Hays. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Lewis Field Stadium.
