Sep 03, 2021

Northwest Missouri State tops Fort Hays State in defensive battle Thursday

Posted Sep 03, 2021 12:07 PM

By TOMMY REZAC

St. Joseph Post

The  Northwest Missouri State football team scored its first win of the season with a 15-7 triumph at Fort Hays State Thursday night.

Running back Al McKeller led the way with 161 yards rushing and a touchdown. Quarterback Braden Wright was  13-of-23 for 96 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Northwest held the Tigers to just 48 yards on the ground.

The Bearcats extended their lead to eight when Wright found Kaden Davis for an 8-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth, but the extra point was blocked, which gave Fort Hays State a chance in the final minute.

The Tigers took possession at their own 24-yard line with 40 seconds left. Fort Hays State got to the Bearcat 34 with six seconds remaining, but Northwest's Isaiah Nimmers intercepted Fuller's pass on the final play to clinch the triumph.

Jackson Barnes notched a team-high seven tackles.

Northwest will open its home schedule next Thursday at 6 p.m. at against Lincoln.