By GARRETT WELLBROCK
Tiger Media Network
Fort Hays State University and the University of Nebraska-Kearney know the stakes when they meet Saturday night at Lewis Field Stadium.
And if recent history is any guide, turnovers could decide the outcome.
Nebraska-Kearney (2-0, 0-0 MIAA) has forced six turnovers in its first two games, including five interceptions — the most in the MIAA and tied for sixth nationally in NCAA Division II. The Lopers’ plus-four turnover margin has fueled wins over Wayne State and Chadron State and given them a chance to start 3-0 for the first time since 2011.
“Fort Hays is a really good program, and they play the game the right way,” UNK head coach Ryan Held said. “They have a system and a way of doing things there for many years. You better be ready for a physical game for four quarters. To be 3-0 would be nice, but we’re only focused on going 1-0 this week.”
Fort Hays State (1-1, 0-0) has usually thrived in the turnover battle. Last season, the Tigers finished with the second-best turnover margin in the MIAA at plus-eight and committed the fewest giveaways in the league. But through two games this season, FHSU sits at minus-one with just a single fumble recovery.
That lack of defensive takeaways has shown early on. The Tigers trailed entering the fourth quarter in both games this season, something that rarely happened in 2024 when they led after three quarters in all eight wins. FHSU did rally last week for a win, its first comeback after trailing through three quarters since 2021.
Head coach Chris Brown said the Tigers will need sharper execution on both sides of the ball against a physical UNK defense.
“They’re a good football team,” said Brown, who is in his 15th full season at the helm at FHSU and is 11-1 against UNK. “They’re big up front on both sides of the ball. They have very talented receivers. They have a running back that is very, very talented and runs hard and can break away and make the big play and can catch the ball out of the backfield as well.”
Brown added UNK’s quarterback situation, with one player returning from concussion protocol, only adds to the preparation challenge.
“They are very solid offensively and give you a ton of different looks, but they are really good at what they do,” he said. “So we’re going to have our hands full defensively.”
For FHSU, getting the running game established is key. The Tigers allowed 31 sacks last season, the most in the MIAA, but have been better in protection so far in 2025 with only three given up.
Brown said that balance will matter against a defense that thrives on creating havoc.
“It’s all going to be about establishing the run game offensively, which I think we can do,” Brown said. “It’s all about being solid on those blocks and getting to the next level and not leaving too early with your first initial block — and our receivers going out and making some big plays this week. We need to get the run game going so we can get some play-actions going and get some big plays going because we really haven’t done that yet.”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Lewis Field Stadium.
This story was written as part of INF 322: Sports Writing, a course in the Department of Informatics at Fort Hays State University.