Tigers host defending national champion Northwest Missouri State Saturday

-FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State takes on defending national champion and No. 10 ranked Northwest Missouri State on Saturday (Oct. 25) at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays. Kickoff is set for 2 pm. The Tigers are looking to knock off a top-ten ranked team for the second time this season after defeating then No. 8 ranked Pittsburg State earlier this season.

The Tigers are looking to snap a 10-game losing streak to the Bearcats, which dates all the way back to 1979. The last win for FHSU over NWMSU was in 1978 by a score of 36-22 in Maryville. The Tigers are looking for their first win over NWMSU in Hays since 1968. Since FHSU joined the MIAA in 2006, Northwest Missouri State has won all eight meetings.

The Tigers are coming off a win over Emporia State by a score of 24-21 this past Saturday in Emporia. That marked Fort Hays State’s first win in Emporia since 2000. The win put the Tigers alone in sixth place in the MIAA at 4-3 and dropped the Hornets into a tie for seventh at 3-4.

Northwest Missouri State is coming off its first loss of the season, now at 6-1 overall and 6-1 in the MIAA. The Bearcats were ranked No. 1 all season until a 35-17 loss to Pittsburg State at home this past week. Northwest Missouri State and Pittsburg State are now tied for the conference lead, while Missouri Western, Central Missouri, and Central Oklahoma all sit one game back at 5-2. The loss snapped a 21-game win streak for the Bearcats, which dated back to the start of the 2013 season. Northwest Missouri State went 15-0 last year in its run to the NCAA Division II title, its second in a string of five years (also won in 2009).

Treveon Albert has thrown for 1,119 yards and eight touchdowns this season, while rushing for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Ed Williams leads the team in receiving with 611 yards on 38 catches. Williams ranks second in the MIAA in receptions per game (5.4) and fourth in receiving yards per game (87.3). Edward Smith leads the Tigers in rushing with 378 yards on 87 carries.

Brock Long continues to lead the Tiger defense in tackles with 62. Justin McPhail is one back at 61, while he is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (7.0) and interceptions (2), and second in sacks (3.5). Joita Te’i leads the MIAA in sacks with 5.0.