Both teams enter the game at 8-3 overall. Minnesota-Duluth was the champion of the North Division in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. This will be the 50th Mineral Water Bowl Game. Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased at the gate or by calling 816-519-5627. For more information visit www.mineralwaterbowl.net.Fort Hays State reaches the postseason for the first time in 20 years. The last postseason game occurred in 1995 when the Tigers were selected to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. Although the Tigers came up just short of the playoffs this year, they were the top finishing team in the MIAA outside teams selected to the NCAA Playoffs. Northwest Missouri State (No. 1 seed) and Emporia State (No. 6 seed) will represent the MIAA in the playoffs.
Fort Hays State tied Central Missouri for third in the MIAA but takes the automatic bid to the Mineral Water Bowl by virtue of defeating Central Missouri head-to-head. The Tigers will now be looking for their first-ever postseason win at the NCAA Division II level.
The only two postseason games the Tigers have ever played as members of NCAA Division II occurred in 1993 and 1995. Both were in the NCAA Division II Playoffs. In 1993, FHSU fell at California-Davis 37-34, and then in 1995, fell at Texas A&M-Kingsville 59-28.
The Tigers also have a chance to do something no other team in Fort Hays State football history has done, and that is reach nine wins. This year’s team has already matched the school record for wins in a season with eight. The feat has now been accomplished seven times (1935, 1983, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2015).
The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs will be making their second appearance in the Mineral Water Bowl. Head coach Curt Wiese in his third year as UMD’s head coach brings a 32-6 record into the game. Coach Wiese has guided the Bulldogs to two NCAA Division II Playoff appearances, one NSIC Championship and two NSIC North division titles.
History of the Mineral Water Bowl
Mineral Water Bowl Game Release
Bowl Game Schedule of Events
