The season opener for the Fort Hays State football team has finally arrived. The Tigers open at home Thursday night against Emporia State. FHSU has shown steady improvement under head coach Chris Brown who is entering his third season. The Tigers won four games two years ago and five last season.

Emporia State is coming off a school-tying 10-win season which culminated with a thrilling victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville in the Kanza Bowl.

Both teams will be starting sophomore quarterbacks. The Tigers will go with Treveon Albert who saw time at wide receiver and running back. Brent Wilson played in nine games as a backup for the Hornets last season, completing 7-of-21 passes for 112 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

The Tigers have just two players back on offense who will start in the same position they did a year ago in wide receivers Keaton Callins and Tanner Hageman. Starting left guard Jarred Stindt was the Tigers starting center as a true freshman last year. Running backs Andre and Ed Smith return from early season injuries which forced both to miss most of last season. Andre Smith was an honorable mention All-MIAA pick two years ago after rushing for 963 yards and five touchdowns.

Junior safety Micheal Jordan leads the Tiger defense. He is the only returning all-conference player from last season.

The home team has won the last seven and nine of the last 11 in the series. Emporia State won last year’s meeting 41-18 in Emporia. This will mark the 19th time the Tigers and Hornets will face each other in the season opener with the Hornets enjoying a 14-4 advantage.

Thursday night’s game kicks off at 7pm at Lewis Field. You can hear it beginning at 6pm with the Auto World Pregame Tiger Radio Mix-103 and on line at https://www.hayspost.com/tiger-radio/

Click below to view FHSU’s game notes… http://www.fhsuathletics.com/documents/2013/9/3/130903fb.pdf?id=1032