By MAYAN PAZ
Tiger Media Network
After a lopsided 52-3 loss against Northwest Missouri State last weekend, the Fort Hays State football team (4-4, 3-3) knows its chances to reach the NCAA playoffs are gone. However, the Tigers must pick themselves up as they stay on the road this week, playing Washburn University on Saturday.
FHSU still hopes to finish the season with a positive record, and the game against Washburn is a great opportunity for FHSU to snap its two-game losing streak. The Ichabods (2-5, 1-4) have struggled this year, but are coming off a victory over UCM last week, earning their first MIAA victory. Last season, FHSU defeated Washburn 38-7 in Hays.
In his weekly press conference, FHSU Head Coach Chris Brown addressed the need for the team to bounce back after a tough loss and his confidence in his players and their ability to do so.
“There is not a lot we can do besides realizing what we did well and what mistakes we have to fix. The way I see it, you can either sit in the corner and lick your wounds or be a man, face adversity, and try to bounce back as best as you can,” Brown said. “We have a group of men who are willing to face that challenge and be all in to try and win those next three games.”
One of Washburn’s best qualities is its tackling game. Ichabod linebackers J.C. Heim and L.J. Minner Jr. are first and third in the MIAA with 13.6 and 9.6 tackles per game, respectively. Despite that, the Ichabods allow 29.7 points per game, and the Tigers will try to take advantage of that. As of now, the Tigers rank last in the MIAA in scoring offense, with 20.1 points per game.
Brown said that the team has some corrections to make in order to improve offensively in their final three games.
“I think that we have to eliminate penalties, improve our on the field reads, and start playing hard. We need to be aggressive and not panic,” he said. “There are things there which we can see when we watch film, and we just need to click things together offensively. We should have done that a long time ago, but this week we have to put things together.”
Tiger wide receiver Keyshawn Dooley said the team has struggled to fulfill their potential so far this season.
“I think we all know we can do better. Every one of the players and the coaches is aware of that and we are trying to fix things together,” Dooley said. “I think that a big aspect is that we haven’t really had fun on the field so far, and that’s really what we should do, just go out there and have fun together. I believe that this week we will be able to piece together all of it and show our ability on the MIAA stage.”
From a defensive perspective, FHSU safety Michael Polley spoke about his confidence in the team as they prepare to face the Ichabods.
“I am confident; I think our D-line is going to have a great game. I think that if we stop the run and avoid giving up big plays, we will be successful,” Polley said. “They have a good team and they are coming after a big win, so they will be hungry, and playing at their home will make it even harder for us, but I’m confident.”
FHSU and Washburn will kick off at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Washburn football stadium in Topeka.