Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
COPPERAS COVE, Texas — Every time the Greyhounds landed a blow in the Heart of Texas Bowl on Dec. 3, Fort Hays State seemed to have a counter punch ready.
But even before then, the Tigers had landed more than enough haymakers and grabbed their first Division II bowl win in school history with a 45-12 rout of Eastern New Mexico.
Jacob Mezera threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns, and Shaquille Cooper amassed 212 yards of offense and two scores in a game the Tigers (8-4) never trailed and led 35-9 at the half.
None of the three scores for the Greyhounds (7-5) went unanswered very long. Down 14-0 early in the second quarter, Eastern finally got on the board when junior Kamal Cass punched it in from a yard out. But DeAndre James took the ensuing kickoff 88 yards the other way at the 13:01 mark.
The Greyhounds got some of that back in the final minute of the half when Bailey Hale — who had an extra point blocked earlier in the quarter — notched a 32-yard field goal with :41 left. But Mezera found Cooper on a 40-yard pass just 28 seconds later.
Hale connected again after a scoreless fourth quarter, this time from 45 yards out with 12:15 to go on the night. In the final counterpunch, Kenneth Iheme scored just over two minutes later on a 24-yard rush.
The Greyhounds actually outgained the Tigers 408-402 on the night, including 319 yards on 70 carries. But they were haunted by miscues, including six fumbles — five by quarterback Wyatt Strand — and 226 yards in penalties.
Paul Terry led the Hounds with 89 yards on six rushes, while Cass had 66 yards on 19 carries.
Defensive back Todd Countee led the Hounds with 10 tackles, seven solo, and Eastern got sacks from KeAndre Hall and Neami Tuifua.