FHSU Sports Information Department
Fort Hays State hosts Northeastern State in the first home game of the 2015 season on Thursday night (Sept. 10) at Lewis Field Stadium in the Kickoff Classic presented by Eagle Communications. The Tigers are coming off a thrilling 30-29 win in the season opener last week against Central Oklahoma in Edmond.
Fort Hays State is looking to start 2-0 for the first time since 2010 and also the first time under head coach Chris Brown. The Tigers are also looking for their first win in a home opener since the 2011 season. FHSU defeated Northeastern State last year by a score of 48-13 in Tahlequah, Okla. The RiverHawks lead the brief series history 2-1 with the wins occurring back in 1989 and 1990.
Fort Hays State is receiving votes in the first regular season AFCA Division II Coaches’ Poll after its win last week. Central Oklahoma was among teams receiving votes in the preseason poll, but dropped out after its loss to FHSU. Northwest Missouri State (No. 4) and Pittsburg State (No. 5) are the only MIAA schools currently in the top 25, while FHSU joins Central Missouri as teams receiving votes.
Sophomore running back Shaquille Cooper earned MIAA/AstroTurf Offensive Athlete of the Week honors for his efforts in the season-opening win against Central Oklahoma. Cooper produced 195 all-purpose yards with three touchdowns (two receiving and one rushing). He had 163 rushing yards, averaging 7.8 per carry, and 32 receiving yards.
Drew O’Brien broke the FHSU career record for extra points in the win over Central Oklahoma. With his first extra point of the game, he passed Wes Simoneau (1997-2001) at the top of the list with 108. O’Brien now has 110 extra points as a kicker at FHSU. He lifted the Tigers to victory last week with the game-winning 19-yard field goal as time expired.
Treveon Albert produced 257 yards of total offense last week, throwing for 163 yards and rushing for 94. Andrew Flory had a big impact in his first game as a Tiger, catching seven passes for 112 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Brock Long and DeAndre James were each very instrumental in the win last week. Long finished with 15 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, while James had 14 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. The Tigers forced four turnovers out of the Bronchos by fumble last week. UCO gave away just five fumbles the entire 2014 season.