JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern Football (2-3, 0-3 MIAA) dropped a close contest to No. 21 ranked Fort Hays State (4-2, 3-1 MIAA), 28-21, Saturday afternoon at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
MSSU fell to 2-3 overall and 0-3 in conference play while the Tigers improved to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in MIAA action.
FHSU amassed 254 rushing yards in the win.
Tillman Martin completed 28 of 36 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns, adding a rushing touchdown on 11 carries.
Isaiah Green made an impact with a 93-yard receiving performance and a touchdown on two catches. Defensively,
RJ Hill led the team with seven tackles, while
Nyjahl Vaughn contributed six tackles and forced a fumble.
The Lions began the game on defense after winning the toss and deferring. FHSU then capitalized on their opening drive, advancing 75 yards and capping it with a 12-yard rushing touchdown by Caleb Heavner, taking an early 7-0 lead with 10:35 left in the first quarter.
Missouri Southern responded effectively later in the quarter. After a series of short gains,
Nathan Glades' run and an offside penalty against the Tigers helped move the chains.
Martin then connected with Green on a 70-yard touchdown pass, leveling the score at 7-7 with 4:41 remaining. The quarter closed with MSSU holding the Tigers in their territory. A key defensive play by
Kendall Huston resulted in a sack for a loss of three yards, preventing further scoring and maintaining the tied score as the quarter concluded.
The second quarter began with Fort Hays State extending its lead through a 32-yard field goal, making the score 10-7. Missouri Southern responded with a promising drive led by
Allen Mitchell and Martin, converting a fourth down with a 10-yard rush. However, the drive stalled, resulting in a turnover on downs at the opponent's 43-yard line.
Following a Fort Hays State possession that ended in a punt, MSSU resumed play from its own 8-yard line. Martin connected on two key passes, including a 23-yard completion to Green, advancing the ball to their own 43-yard line. A turnover on a fumble by Martin halted the momentum, leading to a Tigers touchdown and extra point, putting them up 17-7.
In the closing moments of the second quarter, the Lions orchestrated a methodical 75-yard drive, culminating in a 34-yard touchdown pass from Martin to
Isaiah Padello as time expired.
Drake Reese converted the extra point, narrowing the deficit to 17-14 at halftime.
Padello finished with five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown.
The third quarter began with a turnover for Missouri Southern as Martin fumbled on the first play after a touchback, setting the Tigers up at the home team's 25-yard line. Despite MSSU's defensive efforts, the Tigers managed to convert the turnover into a 39-yard field goal by Zane Hall, extending their lead.
Missouri Southern responded with a drive that began promisingly as Martin connected with Glades for a 23-yard pass, moving the ball to their own 46-yard line. However, the drive stalled, resulting in a punt after failing to convert on third down. MSSU defense stepped up later in the quarter, with Vaughn forcing a fumble that was recovered by Huston, preventing further scoring by the Tigers. The quarter concluded with the Tigers leading 20-14.
The fourth quarter began with Missouri Southern punting the ball, setting the Tigers up at their own 13-yard line. FHSU capitalized on this field position, executing a series of effective plays including a notable 58-yard run by Joshua Clark, concluding the drive with a touchdown and successful two-point conversion, extending their lead to 28-14.
MSSU responded with a determined drive of its own, with Martin leading the charge through a mix of short passes and a key 13-yard run by Glades. The drive culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run by Martin, and a successful extra point by Reese, narrowing the score to 28-21.
In the final minutes, Missouri Southern State's defense executed a critical blocked punt, but a subsequent personal foul penalty shifted momentum back to the Tigers, allowing them to run out the clock.
MSSU next heads to Emporia State on Saturday, Oct. 11 to continue MIAA play. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., CT at Francis G. Welch Stadium in Emporia, Kansas.
