Fort Hays State hosts third-ranked Northwest Missouri State on Saturday (Sept. 21) in Hays in the annual Tailgreat game at Lewis Field Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 pm. The Tigers enter at 0-2 overall and 0-2 in the MIAA, while the Bearcats are 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the MIAA.
The Tigers are looking to snap a nine-game losing streak to the Bearcats, which began in 1979. The Tigers are 0-7 against Northwest Missouri State since joining the MIAA in 2006. The Bearcats were nationally ranked in every one of those meetings and hold that status once again this year. The last meeting between the teams in Hays was in 2009 when NWMSU won 66-40 in an offensive shootout that saw 1,125 yards of total offense between the teams. The teams played three straight years in Maryville from 2010-2012.
For the second straight year, the Tigers failed to reach double figures in scoring in the first half of its first two games. FHSU was shutout in the first half of the season opener against Emporia State, which resulted in a 43-13 loss, and then scored just seven in the first half last week at Washburn, which resulted in a 54-17 loss.
Northwest Missouri State pulled out a 28-24 win over Central Missouri last week in Maryville. Prior to that, the Bearcats defeated Saginaw Valley State in a non-conference match up of ranked teams, 45-24.
The Tigers are currently second-to-last in the MIAA in total offense, averaging just 288.5 yards per game, and last in total defense, allowing 555.5 yards per game. Time of possession has played a big factor in each of those numbers as FHSU is last in the conference in that category, holding the ball for just an average of 23:31 through the first two games. The Tigers are also last in turnover margin in the MIAA at -6, with seven lost to just one gained so far.
The rushing game has struggled in the first two contests.
Andre Smith is the team's leading rusher with just 79 yards through two games. He went over the 1,000 yard rushing mark for his career at FHSU last week at Washburn. The Tigers are averaging just 67 yards on the ground per game.
Justin McPhail is leading the way for the Tigers on defense with 19 tackles. He also leads the team in tackles for loss (3.0) and sacks (2.0).
