Box Score (HTML)
HAYS, Kan. -- The 13th-ranked Mules Football couldn't overcome five turnovers and had a late comeback attempt fall short in a 28-14 loss at Fort Hays State in the regular season finale on Saturday. The Mules end the regular season at 8-3 overall and must now wait to see if they receive a bowl bid to extend their season.
The game got off to a good start as the Mules forced a three and out on Fort Hays State's (8-3) first possession. The Mules then put together a nice drive as the ball deep in to Tiger territory, but facing a fourth and one at the Hays 17 the Mules fumbled and the Tigers recovered to halt the drive. Two drives later the Tigers got on the board. Treveon Albert hit Derek Kendall-Campbell for a 23-yard touchdown to give FHSU a 7-0 lead.
Midway through the second quarter the Tigers capitalized on a UCM turnover to add to their lead. The Mules had the ball at their own 34 facing a second and five, but
Garrett Fugate was intercepted by Doyin Jibowu. On the very next play, Albert hit Garrett Holle for a 44-yard touchdown and FHSU led 14-0.
The Mules cut the lead in half two drives later when Fugate found
Jaylen Zachery for a 34-yard touchdown. It capped a quick four-play, 63-yard drive and the Mules trailed 14-7 at halftime.
Fort Hays State grabbed control of the game on their first two drives of the second half. After forcing a UCM three and out to start the half the Tigers drove 47 yards in six plays, capped by Albert's one-yard touchdown run to lead 21-7.
The Tigers forced another three and out and grabbed a 28-7 lead on the subsequent drive with a 17-yard touchdown run by Albert.
The Mules got back to within two scores early in the fourth quarter. Following a fumble recovery by
Austin Miller, Fugate found
Kyle Echols for a 13-yard score and UCM trailed 28-14.
Central Missouri forced a three and out on the next FHSU possession and drove deep into Tiger territory, but on first and goal at the six Fugate was intercepted to squash another scoring opportunity.
Michael Tannehill intercepted Albert in the endzone to keep UCM's slim chances alive, but on second and six at the FHSU 43,
Eric Siebenshuh's heave to the endzone was intercepted and the Tigers ran out the clock for the win.
Fort Hays State out-gained the Mules 441-268, including 326-75 on the ground.
Fugate finished the day 20-of-34 for 179 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Siebenshuh was 3-of-7 for 14 yards with a pick.
Markel Smith was held to 32 yards rushing on 11 carries.
Ian Toalson caught six passes for 34 yards, while Echols had four catches for 40 yards and a score and Zachery had two grabs for 40 yards and a TD.
Fugate finishes the regular season with 3,122 yards of total offense, the fourth most in a single-season in program history. Zachery's 933 receiving yards are the ninth most and
Billy Greco's 94 points scored are tied for the second most.
Austin Miller led the UCM defense with a career-high 16 tackles. He had 1.5 tackles for loss with a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
Alex Lackey had a career-high 13 tackles with a tackle for loss.
Jason Venckus had seven stops and a tackle for loss, giving him 32 for his career the seventh most in UCM history.
Albert was 6-of-15 passing for 115 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for FHSU. He also rushed for 89 yards and two scores on 20 carries. Shaquill Cooper ran for 158 yards on 26 carries. Kendall-Campbell had two catches for 43 yards.
Defensively, Brock Long led the Tigers with 14 tackles and a half a sack. Sie Doe, Jr. had eight tackles, four tackles for loss and three sack, while Doyin Jibowu had five tackles, two interceptions and a sack.
