Fort Hays State (0-3, 0-3 MIAA) at No. 6 Missouri Western (3-0, 2-0 MIAA) Saturday, September 28, 2013 St. Joseph, Mo. - Spratt Memorial Stadium - 6 pm Game Notes I Watch Live I Live Audio I Live Stats

The Fort Hays State football team completes its four-game run of Top 25 ranked teams to open the 2013 season on Saturday at No. 6 ranked Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Mo. The Tigers enter the game 0-3 overall and 0-3 in the MIAA, although all three losses have been to teams currently in the Top 25 of the AFCA national rankings. The Griffons enter at 3-0 overall, 2-0 in the MIAA.

Fort Hays State is coming off a loss at home last week to No. 3 ranked Northwest Missouri State by a score of 49-14. Washburn, Fort Hays State's week two opponent, moved up to No. 18 in the national rankings this week, and first week opponent Emporia State is now in the rankings at No. 24. All three teams the Tigers have played this year are unbeaten and the trend continues Saturday with undefeated Missouri Western.

Fort Hays State had success establishing a rushing attack last week against Northwest Missouri State, something it had been unable to accomplish in the first two weeks. The Tigers had 173 yards on the ground against Northwest Missouri, the first time the team posted over 100 yards on the ground in a game this year. Andre Smith led the charge with 107 yards, the third 100-yard rushing game of his career at FHSU. Missouri Western is one of the teams Smith owns a 100-yard rushing game against, going for 135 yards against the Griffons in 2011.

Quarterback Treveon Albert was interception free last week against Northwest Missouri State after throwing six through the first two weeks of the season. He had a season-best 63.9 completion percentage in the game.

Starting linebackers Justin McPhail and Shane Smith lead the team in tackles, each with 26. McPhail is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (3.0) with Jesse Trent and McPhail leads the team in sacks (2.0).

The Tigers are still struggling to get points on the board early, averaging just 4.3 points in the first half through three games. The Tigers had just seven points in the first half of each of the last two games, and were shutout in the first half of the season opener.

The Tigers look to slow down one of the best rushing attacks in the MIAA as Missouri Western averages 230 yards per game on the ground to rank third in the MIAA in that category. The Griffons average just 202 yards per game through the air, which ranks 12th in the MIAA. Raphael Spencer of MWSU is second in the MIAA in rushing average at 123 yards per game.