The Fort Hays State football team heads to Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., this Saturday (Sept. 29) in search of its first win of the 2012 season. The Tigers have played an extremely difficult season to begin the year going 0-4, with three games against top-15 ranked teams, and one against conference-leading Emporia State. Truman enters this game at 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the MIAA.
This is the second-straight year the Tigers play in Kirksville. They fell by a score of 36-31 last year in a see-saw battle. The Tigers held the lead heading to the fourth quarter but could not hold on for the victory. FHSU is 1-2 all-time in Kirksville.
Fort Hays State is still in search of a solid offensive performance, entering this week as the lowest scoring team in the MIAA at 12.8 points per contest. The Tigers are having a difficult time putting points on the board in the first half. They have not recorded a first half touchdown through four games, just a total of three field goals for nine first half points. The Tiger offense is still in search of putting up over 100 yards in a quarter, nearly hitting that mark in the fourth quarter against Missouri Western last week with 99. The Tigers are looking to raise their first quarter average in total yards, which currently stands 36.5.
The Tigers did see improvement last week, holding one of the most potent offenses in the MIAA to just 21 points in No. 7 ranked Missouri Western. It marked the first time this year the Tigers held an opponent under 500 yards of total offense.
Addie Brown continues to lead the Tiger rushing attack with 311 yards on the ground this year. He is the only Tiger with over 100 yards for the season, starting in place of Andre and Ed Smith, who were injured earlier in the season.
Tarean Austin is averaging 107.8 passing yards per game at quarterback with a 45.6 completion percentage. Tight end
Eli Cordon is the leading receiver with nine catches and 104 yards.
Austin Hubert is the top tackler on defense with 38 for the season, averaging 9.5 per game.
