Fort Hays State faces its third consecutive nationally ranked team on Saturday (Sept. 22) at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays when it hosts 7th-ranked Missouri Western in the annual TailGreat game at 7 pm. The Griffons enter the contest at 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the MIAA, while the Tigers are looking for their first win this season.
Fort Hays State has faced a brutal schedule early on and it doesn't get any easier this week with the nation's top rushing offense coming to town. The Griffons are averaging 321.7 rushing yards per game through their three contests so far this year. Running back Michael Hill leads the MIAA and ranks third in the nation with 179.7 rushing yards per game. The Griffons rank 10th in the nation in scoring offense at 44.0 points per game.
Fort Hays State has experienced sluggish starts on offense in each of its first three games of the season. The Tigers are struggling to put points on the board in the first half and have been outscored 93-6 before halftime in their three losses. The Tigers are still searching for their first touchdown in a first half this year.
The Griffons have dominated the series between the teams of late, winners of the last seven meetings. Fort Hays State's last win over Missouri Western was in 2000 in Hays. Missouri Western has claimed all six meetings since FHSU joined the MIAA in 2006. The Griffons hold a three-game win streak in Hays, which includes a 55-17 win last year when they entered the game ranked No. 17 in the nation. Fort Hays State is looking to snap a 13-game losing streak against ranked teams, which dates back to the 2008 season.
Addie Brown is the top rusher on the team, averaging 74.7 yards per game on the ground.
Tarean Austin is averaging 106.3 passing yards per game at quarterback.
Eli Cordon is the top receiver with seven catches for 79 yards on the season.
The Tigers have done well on kickoff returns, averaging 23.0 yards per return.
Shaquille Cooper (27.6) and
Keke Paul (25.6) are among the top 50 in the nation in kick return average.
Treveon Albert leads the team in kick returns with nine and averages 22.0 per return.
Austin Hubert leads the Tigers and the MIAA in tackles with 32 for the season. He has reached double figures in tackles in each of the last two games, including a career-high 14 against Washburn.
