Fort Hays State (0-1) vs.
Missouri Western (1-0)
Thursday, September 8, 2022 – 7 p.m.
Lewis Field Stadium – Hays, Kan.
 
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State hosts Missouri Western in the annual Vyve Broadband Kickoff Classic at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays on Thursday night (Sept. 8). The Tigers enter their first home contest at 0-1 on the season after a setback against No. 2 ranked Northwest Missouri State last week, while the Griffons enter at 1-0 after a home win over Central Oklahoma.
 
Fort Hays State will be looking to snap a three-game losing skid to the Griffons which goes back to the 2018 season. Last year, the Griffons stormed back in the second half on their home field to win 38-31 after being down 17-10 at halftime. The Griffons claimed the last meeting between the teams in Hays by a score of 28-17 during the 2019 season. FHSU won two straight over MWSU in 2016 and 2017 before the Griffons began their current three-game win streak in the series.
 
The Tigers will also be looking to shake off a three-game losing streak at home which goes back to last season, falling in their final three home games by 10 points or less. The last home win for FHSU was the thrilling 42-35 win over a No. 12 ranked Nebraska-Kearney team on October 2 (Homecoming) of last year.
 
This will be the 31^st meeting all-time between Fort Hays State and Missouri Western. The Griffons lead the all-time series 17-12-1.
 
Chance Fuller became the career leader in passing yards at Fort Hays State last week, now at 7,876 for his career. He threw for 309 yards in the season opener. His 36 pass completions topped all NCAA Division II quarterbacks in the first week of the season. Catching half of Fuller's passes were Trevor Watts (10) and Manny Ramsey (8). Ramsey had a team-best 90 receiving yards in that game, while Watts was close behind with 88. Watts ranks fifth in NCAA Division II for receptions, while Ramsey sits 12^th. Ramsey was 13^th in NCAA Division II for receptions per game last year and led the MIAA in that category.
 
All-America tight end Hunter Budke was the go-to target for touchdowns in the season opener, hauling in two from Fuller, part of a four-reception, 31-yard performance. Watts led the Tigers in all-purpose yards with 151, adding 63 kick return yards to his receiving total. Ja'Quan Tillis had an even 100 all-purpose yards in that game, accumulating 90 on kick returns. Adrian Soto had 66 all-purpose yards in the game, leading the Tigers in rushing with 32 yards on the ground.
 
In his debut as a Tiger, junior college transfer Makel Williams led the team with seven tackles. Myles Menges, the 2021 tackles leader for FHSU, finished with six.
 
Missouri Western picked up a 35-0 win over Central Oklahoma in the first week of action. The Griffons churned out 341 rushing yards in that contest, tops among MIAA teams in Week 1. MWSU had a pair of 100-yard rushers in the game, including Brandon Hall with 141 and Reagan Jones with 117. Jones added 161 passing yards at his quarterback position and received MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week honors.