BY TRISTAN SASSE
After starting the season 11-0, the Fort Hays State University Tiger football team received the No. 1 seed and a bye in the first round of Super Regional 3 in the NCAA Division II playoffs. FHSU will host the No. 4 seed Ferris State Bulldogs in the second round of the playoffs on November 25 from Lewis Field Stadium in Hays. The Bulldogs are currently ranked No. 10 in the nation overall. Ferris State improved to 10-1 after beating Ouachita Baptist in the first round of the NCAA playoffs this past Saturday.
It is the third time the Tigers have appeared in the national playoffs, and the first time since 1995. Fort Hays will look to win their first playoff game ever, after losing 37-34 to California-Davis in 1993 and 59-28 to Texas A&M Kingsville in 1995.
The road to perfection wasn’t easy for the Tigers. Four games were decided by seven points or less this season. FHSU outscored opponents 367 to 152 overall though. The Tigers have also averaged 33.4 points per game, while holding opponents to 13.8 ppg.
Season Highlights
Week 1 at Missouri Southern
The Tigers produced nearly 500 yards of offense and led at half 41-7 en route to a 48-7 season-opening victory.
Week 2 (Kickoff Classic) vs. No. 13 Central Missouri
FHSU dismantled No. 13 Central Missouri 35-6 in a statement win. Layne Bieberle had 107 receiving yards and two touchdowns on the night.
Week 3 at Central Oklahoma
Fort Hays entered the top 25 poll at No. 21. The Tigers trailed UCO 14-0 in the first quarter before outscoring Central Oklahoma 31-10 in the final three quarters to go on to win 31-24. Jacob Mezera threw for 401 yards and Monterio Burchfield had eight receptions for 217 yards.
Week 4 vs. Northeastern State
FHSU moved up to No. 18 in the rankings and started 4-0 for the first time since 1983, with a 31-7 victory over the RiverHawks. Drew Kite had a pair of receiving touchdowns on the afternoon.
Week 5 at Lindenwood
The No. 14 Tigers allowed a season-high 35 points before holding on to win 38-35. Jacob Mezera threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns. Kenneth Iheme had 174 rushing yards, while Monterio Burchfield added 173 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Week 6 (Homecoming) vs. Pittsburg State
No. 11 FHSU won 21-17 after facing a 17-0 deficit early in the second quarter. Jacoby Williams took the majority of snaps for the Tigers after Jacob Mezera was benched with an injury. Williams threw for 143 yards and Kenneth Iheme rushed for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
Week 7 (Hall of Fame Game) vs. Washburn
No. 8 FHSU rallied from a 20-10 halftime deficit with 27 unanswered second-half points to defeat the Ichabods 37-20. The Tigers improved to 7-0 for the first time since 1917. Fort Hays’ offense had a total of 549 yards and Charles Tigner finished with 171 rushing yards.
Week 8 at Missouri Western
After playing from behind in the previous three weeks, the No. 8 Tigers dominated the Griffons for a 38-10 victory. With the win, FHSU secured its best start in school history at 8-0. Monterio Burchfield had 184 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Week 9 vs. Emporia State
The No. 7 Tigers produced 583 yards of total offense and dominated the Hornets from start to finish. Fort Hays won 34-7 and claimed sole possession of first place in the MIAA standings with No. 1 Northwest Missouri State losing at Pittsburg State.
Week 10 at No. 8 Northwest Missouri State
A week after Northwest Missouri State’s 38-game winning streak was snapped, they hosted the No. 6 Tigers in a top-10 matchup. In a defensive battle from start to finish, FHSU held on to win 13-12 and captured the first MIAA championship in program history. It was the first time NWMSU lost at home since the beginning of the 2014 season.
Week 11 (Senior Day) vs. Nebraska-Kearney
The No. 5 Tigers capped off a perfect regular season with a 41-7 win over the UNK Lopers. Layne Bieberle finished with 105 receiving yards and Kenneth Iheme had 100 rushing yards on the afternoon.
Upcoming Schedule
No. 4 (No.1) FHSU vs. No. 10 (No. 4) Ferris State – November 25
National Quarterfinals – December 2
National Semifinals – December 9
National Championship – December 16
Note: Parentheses indicate playoff seed.
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