Fort Hays State football will be in search of its first seven-win season since 1996 this Saturday (Nov. 15) in Warrensburg, Mo., when it faces Central Missouri. The Tigers (6-4, 6-4 MIAA) are currently tied for fifth in the MIAA standings, looking to reel in the fourth-place Mules (7-3, 7-3 MIAA) in the conference standings. Action is set to begin at 1:30 pm at Walton Stadium.
Fort Hays State has already clinched back-to-back winning seasons with the win last week against Missouri Southern, a feat accomplished for the first time since 2003 and 2004. The Tigers are looking to take a step further to possibly reach seven wins in a season for the first time in 19 years.
To reach that mark, the Tigers will have to end an eight-game losing streak to Central Missouri. The Mules have won every meeting between the teams since FHSU joined the conference in 2006, going a perfect 8-0. UCM owns an 8-2 advantage in the all-time series as FHSU won the first two meetings ever way back in the 1950s.
Fort Hays State was on the verge of ending the streak last year in Warrensburg as it took a 27-0 lead early in the game before Central Missouri eventually stormed back and won 48-34.
The Tigers gave up over 30 points in a game for the first time last week, but still won by producing their most points of the season as well, winning 49-41 over Missouri Southern. The Tigers ran the ball well for the second straight week, going for 234 last week and 242 the previous week at Nebraska-Kearney.
Fort Hays State wide receiver Ed Williams enters Saturday with 902 receiving yards. He is already sixth on the single-season receiving yards list at FHSU. Edward Smith leads the balanced Tiger rushing attack with 523 yards, followed by Kenneth Iheme with 443, and Treveon Albert with 406. Justin McPhailanchors the defense at linebacker with 99 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, and two interceptions.Nathan Lindsey is coming off a well-earned Beyond Sports Network National Athlete of the Week honor, racking up five tackles, two fumble recoveries (one that went for a 49-yard touchdown) a sack, an interception, and a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.