PITTSBURG — Jared Vincent's potential game-winning 38-yard field goal missed by inches wide to the left and the Fort Hays State University escaped Carnie Smith Stadium with a 42-41 win over No. 19 Pittsburg State University Saturday (Oct. 19).
The Gorillas (5-2, 5-2 MIAA) and the Tigers (5-2, 5-2 MIAA) combined for 1,090 yards of total offense in the contest.
Pitt State took a 34-28 lead to the fourth quarter, but FHSU quarterback Chance Fuller connected with wide receiver Layne Bieberle on a 67-yard scoring strike on a third-and-20 play to give the Tigers a 35-34 lead with 14:31 to play in the game. The Gorillas had thwarted the drive on the prior play but an offsides penalty extended the series.
FHSU extended its margin to 42-34 on Fullery's 12-yard TD pass to Manny Ramsey. The Tigers defense set up the score with Drew Harvey intercepting a Brandon Mlekus pass and returning it to the Pitt State 17.
The Gorillas countered with a seven-play, 65-yard drive. Kiah Kintchen scored on a 35-yard run with 10:01 to play in the game to bring Pitt State within two points, 42-40. The Gorillas originally lined up for a two-point conversion attempt, but a false start penalty forced them to settle for a PAT try and a 42-41 deficit.
The Pitt State defense forced the Tigers into a punt with 7:07 remaining in the game. The Gorilals took over possession on their own 11 and drove all the way to to the FHSUÂ 21. Facing 4th-and-1Â Pitt State elected for Vincent's field goal try with 1:03 to play.
The Pitt State offense piled up a season-high 613 yards of total offense in the contest. Mlekus completed nine of 15 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed the ball 20 times for 110 yards and two scores. Mak Sexton also completed nine of 15 passes for 97 yards and wide receiver Brenner Clemons added a 36-yard touchdown pass on a reserve pass play.
Lorenzo West caught six passes for 152 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown connection midway through the third quarter.
Vincent booted field goals of 38 and 24 yards in the contest.
Fuller completed 23 of 32 passes for 306 yards and four touchdowns for the Tigers with Bieberle making four catches for 152 yards and a pair of scores. Charles Tigner also rushed the ball 19 times for 127 yards and a touchdown.
Kaden Roy posted his third straight double-digit tackle game making 11 stops in the contest. Alex Derryberry made six tackles and he forced and recovered a fumble in the contest.
The Gorillas will look to bounce back next Saturday (Oct. 26) when they travel to Warrensburg, Mo., to face No. 14 University of Central Missouri at 1 p.m. (CDT).
