Fort Hays State (2-2. 2-2 MIAA) at
Central Oklahoma (2-2, 2-2 MIAA)
Saturday, October 5 – 1 pm
Wantland Stadium – Edmond, Okla.
Fort Hays State Football returns to action on Saturday (Oct. 5) at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. Kickoff is set for 1 pm at Wantland Stadium between the two teams, both entering at 2-2 on the season. The Tigers are looking for their third straight win after victories over Washburn and Missouri Southern in the two previous weeks, while also looking to run their win streak over UCO to five games after winning each meeting since 2015.
Fort Hays State will need to be ready for a battle on Saturday. The Bronchos finished 8-4 overall each of the last two years, claiming bowl wins each season. The last two meetings between the teams in Edmond have been nail biters for the Tigers, winning 31-24 in 2017 on a touchdown pass with 42 seconds remaining and 30-29 in 2015 on a field goal as time expired. Last year, FHSU defeated Central Oklahoma 15-0 in Hays on five field goals by Dante Brown. It was FHSU’s first shutout of an opponent since 2008.
The Tigers continue to thrive in the passing game, averaging 313.5 yards per game this season through the air to rank ninth in NCAA Division II. However, the rushing offense has established a presence in each of the last two games, averaging 171.5 per game in that span. Chance Fuller ranks seventh in NCAA Division II for passing yards per game (298) and fifth in passing touchdowns (12). Harley Hazlett has been his top target, averaging 97 receiving yards per game with 28 catches for 388 yards. Hazlett ranks fifth in NCAA Division II for receiving touchdowns with six. Charles Tigner leads the FHSU rushing attack, averaging 80.2 yards per game.
Defensively, the Tigers held each of their last three opponents to less than 400 yards of total offense. Last week they allowed 344 to Missouri Southern, the lowest of any opponent so far this year. Tanner Hoekman leads the Tigers in tackles with 34. Drew Harvey is right behind with 33, while leading the team in tackles for loss (5.0) and sacks (2.0). The Tigers have seven interceptions, which ranks 12th in NCAA Division II, all within the last two games. Hoekman, Hayden Kreutzer, and Isaiah Creal-Musgray all have two passes picked off so far this year.
Dante Brown continues to produce field goals at a high rate for the Tigers, making 9-of-12 attempts so far this year. His 2.25 field goals per game average ranks second in NCAA Division II. He ranks 16th in the nation in scoring, averaging 10 points per game.
Central Oklahoma is coming off a 59-10 loss at Northwest Missouri State this past week. UCO is 1-1 at home so far this year with a close 37-35 loss to Pittsburg State, a team now ranked No. 15 in the nation, and a 63-0 win over Lincoln.
FHSU Sports Information