The Fort Hays State football team returns to action on Saturday, October 2 when they host Washburn for Homecoming at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays. Two of the nation's top offensive teams will clash, as the Tigers look to get back on track after dropping their first game of the season last week at Emporia State. Fort Hays State enters the game at 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the MIAA. Game time is set for 7 pm at Lewis Field Stadium.

Game Central
Game Notes, Live Video, Live Audio, Live Stats

Promotions
- "Black out the 'Bods" - All fans are encouraged to wear black to the game.
- FREE T-shirts for the first 250 students into Lewis Field.
- Second Annual Harley Night, pre-game Harley ride starts at 6 pm.

Washburn enters the game at 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the MIAA, but that record is very deceiving. The Ichabods were nationally ranked for the first few weeks of the season, but have fell out of the polls after three consecutive losses to nationally ranked teams. Two of the three losses were to teams currently in the top 10, including Abilene Christian and Missouri Western. The Ichabods lost last week at Central Missouri, which moved up to No. 16 in the rankings this week. Washburn started the season as the No. 9 ranked team in the nation.

Fort Hays State had a very disappointing performance at Emporia State last week, held to just 203 yards of total offense in a 19-6 loss. The Tigers entered the game averaging 516.0 yards of total offense and 41.3 points per game. It was the lowest offensive output by the Tigers since a 28-0 loss to Missouri Southern during the 2008 season.

Washburn enters the game averaging 501.3 yards of total offense per game, ranking sixth nationally. The Tigers were ranked sixth nationally in total offense last week before the dramatic decline in total offense against Emporia State. Fort Hays State is now averaging 437.8 yards per game, which ranks 23rd nationally.

The next two games will be a big test for the much improved Tiger defense. Fort Hays State ranked near the bottom of Division II in total defense last year at 142nd out of 148 teams, allowing 458.5 yards per game. With a change in the defensive scheme this year, the Tigers are doing a much better job, allowing just 294.2 yards through four games. The Tigers are currently third in the MIAA in total defense and 35th nationally. The next two opponents, Washburn and Central Missouri, each average over 500 yards of total offense per game. Fort Hays State is allowing just 17.8 points per game to opponents this year and Washburn and Central Missouri each average well over 30 per game.

Fort Hays State won the last meeting with Washburn in Hays by a score of 17-7 in 2008. The Ichabods were ranked No. 18 in the nation in that game. The Tigers have claimed five of the last six meetings between the schools in Hays. Washburn defeated the Tigers last year in Topeka 28-14, with the Ichabods holding a national ranking of No. 17 in that game.

Two of the top quarterbacks in Division II will be on display in Fort Hays State's Mike Garrison and Washburn's Dane Simoneau. Both are in the top 20 nationally for passing yards per game. Garrison ranks third in the MIAA in passing yards per game (269.8), passing yards (1,079), and passing touchdowns (10). He is second in the conference in total offense at 318.8 yards per game. Simoneau ranks second in the MIAA in passing yards per game (308.5) and passing yards (1,234). He is third in the MIAA in total offense at 311.2 yards per game. Simoneau has been interception prone with seven, which ties for the most among MIAA quarterbacks.

Washburn has a balanced attack, just like FHSU. Vershon Moore of Washburn leads the MIAA in rushing, averaging 130.8 yards per game. He is the only player in the conference averaging more than 100 yards per game on the ground. Fort Hays State's James Walker ranks sixth in the conference in rushing, averaging 75.8 yards per game.

The game will also feature two of the top performing wide receivers in Division II. Joe Hastings of Washburn leads the MIAA at 146.2 receiving yards per game and ranks third nationally. He also leads the conference in receptions per game (8.0). O.J. Murdock of FHSU leads the MIAA in yards per reception (21.2) and is third in the conference in receiving yards per game (100.5).

Alex Whitehill has been an anchor on the Tiger defense so far with 40 tackles, averaging 10 per game. He is second in the MIAA in tackles and has reached double digits in the last three games, including a season high 12 at Emporia State last week. FHSU defensive lineman Jacob Crossman is among the top 10 in the conference in sacks and tackles for loss.