HAYS, Kan. – Hogan Wasson caught a touchdown pass from
Donovyn Omolo with under a minute to go in the fourth quarter to lift the University of Central Missouri Mules Football Team to a thrilling 28-24 comeback victory over the Fort Hays State Tigers on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 1, at Lewis Field Stadium.
The victory marked the first win in Hays, Kan., for Central Missouri since a 14-12 triumph in 2012.
The Mules (4-5, 4-3 MIAA) are scheduled to host the No. 9-ranked Pittsburg State Gorillas (7-2, 6-1 MIAA) for their final home game of the season and Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, with Fort Hays State posting a 10-0 lead on a field goal and touchdown in the second quarter. UCM and FHSU combined for just 194 yards of total offense, with the Mules compiling 60 yards and the Tigers tallying 134 yards.
Trey Patrick compiled his team-best third interception of the season in the first quarter, intercepting an FHSU pass in the end zone in the opening quarter.
The Mules got on the scoreboard in the third quarter, capping off a 70-yard drive when
Jayden Lang scampered into the end zone from 13 yards out, trimming the deficit to 10-7 with 10 minutes to go in the third quarter.
Fort Hays State answered, however, and scored on back-to-back drives to push its lead to 24-7 late in the third quarter.
UCM pulled within 24-21 after
Aazeryan Voss reeled in a 63-yard touchdown pass from
Donovyn Omolo in the waning seconds of the third quarter, and
Hogan Wasson caught an 11-yard pass in the end zone from Omolo with 10:37 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Wasson capped off a 99-yard Mule drive when he snagged an eight-yard pass in the end zone from Omolo with 50 seconds to go on the clock, putting Central Missouri in front, 28-24 after
Will Peacock converted the extra point.
Fort Hays State had one more opportunity to find the game-winning touchdown, but
Joe Morrison intercepted FHSU's Hail Mary attempt, securing the victory for UCM.
Omolo went 24-for-32 for 268 yards and had three passing touchdowns, while Wasson posted 134 receiving yards on 11 catches with two TDs, and Lang ran for 59 yards on eight carries, including a 13-yard rushing touchdown, leading the Mules offensively.
Talon Sanders had 10 tackles, and Patrick and Morrison recorded interceptions, pacing UCM defensively.
For the game, Central Missouri outgained Fort Hays State (5-5, 4-4 MIAA), 384-366, including a 286-158 advantage in passing yards. The Tigers bested the Mules in rushing, 208-98, but UCM tallied 22 first downs and posted a 31:44 to 28:16 edge in time of possession.
FHSU quarterback Caleb Heaver posted 158 passing yards and 144 rushing yards with two touchdowns, leading the Tigers.
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