Fort Hays State hosts Central Oklahoma for its annual Homecoming game on Saturday night (Sept. 29) in Hays. Kickoff at Lewis Field Stadium is set for 7 pm. The No. 18/13 ranked Tigers enter the contest 3-1, while the Bronchos are 2-2.
 
Promotions
Game Sponsor – Big Creek Crossing

Postgame Fireworks Show – 10 minutes following the completion of the football game. Sponsored Horizon Appliance & Electronics, the Hays CVB, and J.Day Fireworks.

**A large crowd is expected for the game.** Ticket gates open at 5 pm. Fans are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance to avoid long lines near kickoff time. Call 785-628-4050 for tickets, PURCHASE ONLINE, or visit the FHSU Athletics office. As always, students get in FREE by presenting their Tiger Card.
 
Fort Hays State enters Saturday with two consecutive wins, most recent a 55-20 victory over Missouri Southern last weekend. The Tigers are No. 18 in the latest AFCA Division II Top 25 Poll, while sitting at No. 13 in the supplemental D2Football.com Top 25 Poll.
 
Central Oklahoma is fresh off upsetting No. 4 ranked Northwest Missouri State last Saturday in Edmond by a score of 31-21. The Bronchos started the year 0-2 with losses to Pittsburg State and Nebraska-Kearney, but have since defeated Lindenwood and Northwest Missouri to even their record.
 
Fort Hays State and Central Oklahoma engaged in a tight battle last year in Edmond. With 10 points in the final four minutes of the game, FHSU turned a 24-21 deficit into a 31-24 win. A touchdown in the final minute of the game broke a 24-24 tie. Fort Hays State has won the last three meetings with Central Oklahoma, though UCO owns a 7-4 advantage in the all-time series.
 
Jacob Mezera is on the verge of taking over the career pass completions record at Fort Hays State, he enters the game with 538, just two shy of Mike Garrison's record of 540 set in 2010. Mezera is also just four touchdowns shy of the career passing touchdowns record of 55 held by Treveon Albert, set in 2015.
 
Running back Charles Tigner is coming off his first 100-yard rushing performance of the season, going for 116 against Missouri Southern last week on just seven carries. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for his career back in the Week 3 win over Washburn.
 
Tight end Matt Wendelberger finished with a new career-high of 145 receiving yards against Missouri Southern last week and now leads all receivers on the team in receiving yards with 265. Layne Bieberle is second on the team with 220 yards and Harley Hazlett leads the team in receptions with 18.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Connor Shedeed leads the way in tackles with 34, followed by Jose Delgado with 32. Shedeed and Tanner Hoekman each have a team-best two interceptions on the season, while Sterling Swopes leads in sacks with 2.5.
 
Dante Brown continues his strong performance on special teams, garnering MIAA Special Teams Athlete of the Week for the second time this season following his Week 4 performance at Missouri Southern. He is 7-of-8 on field goal attempts and averages 42.7 yards per punt. He leads the team in scoring with 34 points.