HAYS, Kan. – Northeastern State played toe-to-toe with #18 Fort Hays State in the second half but they could not make up a 24-point halftime deficit to fall 31-7 at Lewis Field Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Both teams had to battle a 35 mph south wind and an unseasonably warm field in Hays which was either a kickers friend of foe.  Blake Pearce ended up having a 65-yard punt that landed in the back of the Tigers' end zone which was longest since 2015 for the RiverHawks.  Fort Hays State connected on a 54-yard field goal which was the third longest in that program's history.

Despite the score, the RiverHawks' defense only allowed a touchdown with just under five minutes left in the third quarter.

"Our defense rose to the occasion in the second half but our offense just couldn't get going," said head coach Rob Robinson.  "That's one of the better defensive lines in the conference and we got to find ways to make first downs and make touchdown shots."

"We just got to put it together consistently offensively.  We will show some good stuff and then boom we are back to square one.  It's just the little things of what we have to do and something we have been working on every week."

For the RiverHawks the damage was done early and wouldn't threaten until the end of the second quarter.  Trailing by 24 to the Tigers and on the 26-yard line NSU would throw an interception with seconds left on the clock to come up empty on the scoreboard heading in the locker room.

D'Kameron White gave the RiverHawks a shot in the arm and got the ball back on the second play of the second half where they would take over on the FHSU 20-yard line.   Dom McKinzy connected with Zac King on a seven yard pass for their lone touchdown with 11:08 on the clock in the third quarter.

The Tigers had the final score of the afternoon five minutes later coming on a 30-yard run.

Northeastern State was limited to 184 total yards of offense with 136 coming in the air off the hand of McKinzy.   Gary McKnight Jr. caught five passes for 44 yards, and King had three receptions for 36 yards.

La'More Wise quietly had 15 tackles for the RiverHawks on the defensive end to lead all players on the field.

Fort Hays State had 427 yards of offense and were balanced with 215 on the ground, and 212 in the air.

The loss for the RiverHawks sends them to 0-4 to start the season, while #18 Fort Hays State goes to 4-0.

Northeastern State will return to Doc Wadley Stadium on Sept. 30 to host Missouri Western State at 1 p.m. for homecoming.