HAYS, Kan. – The Pittsburg State University football team dropped a 42-17 road decision to Fort Hays State University Saturday (Sept. 19) at Lewis Field Stadium.
The Gorillas (0-4, 0-2 MIAA) led 14-0 six minutes into the game, but the host Tigers (2-1, 1-0 MIAA) outscored Pitt State, 42-3, the rest of the way.
The Gorillas got on the board first in the game when quarterback
Bobby Bacon fired a 49-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Jaydon Hill just under two minutes into the game. Four minutes later, linebacker
Paxton Wehner blocked a FHSU punt that was recovered by
Jino Boyd in the end zone for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead at the 9:16 mark of the first quarter.
The Tigers countered with a pair of touchdowns and a safety in a three-minute burst in the first quarter as FHSU took a 15-14 lead.
Pitt State's
Austin Schmitt booted a 41-yard field goal to give the Gorillas a 17-15 edge with 14:19 to play in the second quarter, but FHSU tacked on two more scored in the period for a 28-17 halftime advantage.
The Gorillas were victimized by turnovers in the second half as the Tigers came up with takeaways on Pitt State's final five offensive series.
Bacon completed 14 of 26 passes for 174 yards on the night. Wide receiver
Greyson Holbert caught six passes for 47 yards and running back
Syre Padilla had three carries for 59 yards.
FHSU's Major Cantrell completed 21 of 32 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns, while running back A.G. Floyd rushed 24 times for 146 yards and four scores.
Cornerback
Aabiyas Wakes made a team-leading nine tackles for the Gorillas, while safeties
Quintin Kirby and
Jasper Ogburn and Wehner all made six stops.
The Gorillas will head into a bye week before continuing their four-game road swing by traveling to Kearney, Neb., on Oct. 3 to face the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
Â
Â
