The second edition of the NCAA Super Region Rankings for football released on Monday (Oct. 30). At 9-0, Fort Hays State is now on top of Super Region 3 in the No. 1 position. The Super Region consists of four conferences, the MIAA, GLIAC, GLVC, and GAC.

The top seven teams in the Super Region are selected at the end of the regular season to compete in the NCAA Division II Playoffs. Fort Hays State is seeking its first appearance in the playoffs since 1995.

Northwest Missouri State fell from the No. 1 position after having its 38-consecutive game win streak snapped that dated back to the start of the 2015 season. University of Indianapolis from the GLVC, the nation’s No. 5 ranked team, remained in the No. 2 spot, while Fort Hays State, ranked No. 6 nationally, made the leap from No. 3 to No. 1. Fort Hays State and Indianapolis are the only two teams that remain undefeated in the Super Region.

Ashland (8-1) and Ferris State (7-1) of the GLIAC moved up to No. 3 and No. 4 respectively. Ashland holds the upper hand between the teams by winning the head-to-head meeting. Northwest Missouri State (8-1) dropped to No. 5 following its loss to Pittsburg State. Grand Valley State moved up to No. 6, while Ouachita Baptist (7-2) of the GAC moved up into the No. 7 position.

Arkansas Tech (7-2), Central Missouri (6-3), and Harding (6-3) are on the outside looking in, sitting in the No. 8 through No. 10 positions.

The Fort Hays State at Northwest Missouri State game this Saturday (Nov. 4) in Maryville, Missouri, will have big implications not only just on a potential MIAA Championship, but also the NCAA Playoff picture.

The playoff format gives a bye to the Super Region’s #1 seed, while #2 plays #7, #3 plays #6, and #4 plays #5 in the opening round.

Below are the Super Region 3 Rankings for October 30, 2017. CLICK HERE for all Super Region Rankings.

Rank	Team	In-Region Record	Overall D2 Record
1	Fort Hays State	9-0	9-0
2	Indianapolis	9-0	9-0
3	Ashland	8-1	8-1
4	Ferris State	7-1	7-1
5	Northwest Missouri State	8-1	8-1
6	Grand Valley State	7-2	7-2
7	Ouachita Baptist	7-2	7-2
8	Arkansas Tech	7-2	7-2
9	Central Missouri	6-3	6-3
10	Harding	6-3	6-3

WACO, Texas – After breaking the program record for wins in a season this past Saturday and moving to 9-0 in the process, Fort Hays State moved up to No. 6 in the AFCA Division II Poll on Monday (Oct. 30).

The No. 6 ranking matches the best-ever for Fort Hays State in an official NCAA Division II Poll. The Tigers were No. 6 in the September 16, 1996 edition of the poll, produced by the NCAA Football Committee back then.

Former No. 1 Northwest Missouri State had its 38-game win streak snapped at the hands of Pittsburg State this past Saturday in Pittsburg, Kan. It allowed Fort Hays State to take over sole possession of the MIAA lead, but the teams will meet in a battle of Top 10 teams this Saturday in Maryville. FHSU will be attempting to grab the MIAA title outright, while NWMSU looks to pull back into a tie at the top of the standings with one more week in the regular season to follow.

Minnesota State takes over the No. 1 ranking this week, leaping No. 2 Shepherd (W.Va.) from the No. 3 ranking last week. Shepherd received more first-place votes, but overall Minnesota State had two more voting points. The top seven teams in the nation remain undefeated, while Northwest Missouri moved down to No. 8 this week.

After jumping back into the Top 25 last week for a second time this season, Central Missouri fell back out after a loss at Central Oklahoma. That leaves FHSU and NWMSU as the only two representatives from the MIAA in the Top 25. Other teams inside the Top 25 from last week’s Super Region 3 rankings include Indianapolis (No. 5), Ashland (No. 11), Ferris State (No. 12), and Grand Valley State (No. 19).

Below is the AFCA Division II Poll for October 30, 2017.

Rank	School (1st votes)	Record,	Pts.,	Prev.,
1.	Minnesota State (10)	9-0	822	3
2.	Shepherd (W.Va.) (22)	8-0	820	2
3.	Indiana (Pa.) (2)	9-0	777	4
4.	Midwestern State (Texas)	7-0	717	5
5.	Indianapolis (Ind.)	9-0	710	6
6.	Fort Hays State (Kan.)	9-0	683	7
7.	Central Washington	9-0	625	8
8.	Northwest Missouri State	8-1	577	1
9.	Texas A&M-Commerce	7-1	558	9
10.	Assumption (Mass.)	8-0	516	12t
11.	Ashland (Ohio)	8-1	510	12t
12.	Ferris State (Mich.)	7-1	483	11
13.	Sioux Falls (S.D.)	8-1	405	14
14.	Wingate (N.C.)	8-0	402	16
15.	Colorado Mesa	8-1	399	15
16.	Virginia State	8-0	347	17
17.	Humboldt State (Calif.)	7-1	295	18
18.	Winona State (Minn.)	8-1	289	10
19.	Grand Valley State (Mich.)	7-2	215	19
20.	Bowie State (Md.)	8-1	214	20
21.	Eastern New Mexico	7-1	190	21
22.	Findlay (Ohio)	8-1	159	22
23.	West Alabama	7-2	100	25
24.	Colorado State-Pueblo	7-2	88	24
25.	West Georgia	7-2	48	NR

Others Receiving Votes: Shippensburg (Pa.), 41; Central Missouri, 25; Slippery Rock (Pa.), 15; Ouachita Baptist (Ark.), 7; Minnesota-Duluth, 5; Washburn (Kan.), 4; California (Pa.), 2; Arkansas Tech, 1; Notre Dame (Ohio), 1.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After ending the regular season with a 10-5-3 overall record and earning a 7-3-1 mark in MIAA play, the Fort Hays State women’s soccer team captured the No. 4 seed in the upcoming MIAA tournament. The Tigers drew No. 5 Missouri Southern for their first-round matchup, and will host the Lions at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Hays.

The Tigers have now advanced to post-season play in the MIAA for the fourth straight season. Last year, the squad earned a share of the conference title, while also advancing to the Sweet 16 in the National Tournament. In 2016’s conference tournament, the Tigers defeated Missouri Western in the first-round on PK’s, but fell to Central Oklahoma in the semifinals 4-2.

The Lions and Tigers met this season back on Oct. 15 with the match ended at a 0-0 tie after two overtimes. Missouri Southern is on a three-match win streak and brings a 5-9-3 overall record and 5-5-1 mark in MIAA to the tilt on Wednesday.

Wednesday, Nov. 1 (at Higher Seed)
Game 1: No. 8 Emporia State at No. 1 Central Oklahoma 6 p.m.
Game 2: No. 5 Missouri Southern at No. 4 Fort Hays State 7 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 Central Oklahoma at No. 2 Missouri Western 6 p.m.
Game 4: No. 6 Washburn at No. 3 Northeastern State 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 3 (at Highest Remaining Seed)
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 TBA
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 TBA

Sunday, Nov. 5 (at Highest Remaining Seed)
Championship Match: Semifinal Winners TBA

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Fort Hays State Men’s Basketball had its first tune-up game for the regular season when it took on Kansas State on Sunday (Oct. 29). The Tigers fell by a score of 79-56 to the Wildcats. FHSU trailed by just seven at halftime before K-State pulled away in the second half.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Brady Werth Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

Fort Hays State trailed 31-12 in the first half before going on a 10-0 run to get back in the game. The Tigers closed the first half on an 18-6 run to cut the halftime margin to just seven, 37-30.

FHSU scored the first basket of the second half to cut the K-State lead to five, but an 18-4 run pushed the Wildcats back out to a 19-point lead. KSU cruised the rest of the way and the final margin of 23 was its largest lead of the game.

Marcus Cooper led the Tigers with 15 points on 3-of-6 shooting from the field and an 8-of-10 effort at the free-throw line. Brady Werth also reached double figures with 10 points. Hadley Gillum pulled down a team-high five rebounds.

Kansas State had four players in double figures. Xavier Sneed led the way with 18, followed by Dean Wade with 15, Barry Brown, Jr. with 14, and Cartier Diarra with 11.

The Tigers return to exhibition action at the University of Kansas on Tuesday, November 7 in Lawrence. Game time is set for 7 pm at Allen Fieldhouse.

HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State men’s soccer team defeated the Lindenwood Lions 1-0 on Sunday. 29). The Tigers improved to 10-5-2 overall on the season and 7-1 in conference play. The Lions dipped to 8-7 on the year and 3-3 in the MIAA. FHSU clinched their first MIAA title in program history with the victory.

The first half consisted of a defensive battle from both teams as neither Fort Hays State nor Lindenwood could find the back of the net. The Tigers were able to get off three shots, as the Lions had five in the first period.

Out of the break, it was much of the same with a back-and-forth battle between the squads while no one was able to get the ball past either of the goalkeepers. The Tigers were able to get off seven shots as one of them scored through the net on a 30 yard strike from Luis Mendez in the 77th minute that was set up from Derick Gonzalez. Mendez notched his second goal of the season and Gonzalez extended his program record of consecutive matches with a point to 14 straight.

The Tigers were able to keep the 1-0 score until the end the match as they clinched at least a share of the MIAA title. The Tigers will share the title with Northeastern State if the RiverHawks win both their matches next weekend and will win the title outright if NSU loses or draws at least one contest.

The Tigers dominated possession in the second half as they outshot the Lions 10-7 in the match. Despite the Lions earning ten corner kicks, they were unable to capitalize on those scoring opportunities.

Michael Yantz was solid in goal today for the Tigers as he ended the match with four key saves against the aggressive Lion offense. Yantz earned the victory and improved to 8-4-2 on the season.

The Tigers will be back in action next weekend as they host the University of Mary on Saturday (Nov. 4) in their regular season finale. Kickoff for Senior Night is set for 6 p.m.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Jasmine Beaulieu netted her third goal of the season in double-overtime against Washburn as the Fort Hays State women’s soccer team captured the 1-0, golden goal victory over the Ichabods. With the win, the Tigers reach 10 wins on the season to improve their overall record to 10-5-3 along with a 7-3-1 mark in the MIAA. The Tigers, who earned the No. 4 seed in the MIAA tournament, will host a first-round match on Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Missouri Southern.

After a scoreless first half for both teams, the Tigers and Ichabods headed into the locker room tied at 0-0. In the first 45 minutes, Washburn out-shot Fort Hays State 5-2. This was the fifth-consecutive match the Tigers were unable to score in the first period of play against their opponents.

As the second half came and went just like the first, the score remained at zero a piece. FHSU and Washburn headed into the first overtime period but again neither team was able to get on the board. The lone goal in the match came at the feet of Jasmine Beaulieu who has now earned a goal in two-straight matches. The point came with just under two minutes remaining in the match as she brought in the ball off an assist from fellow senior Eden Stoddard, her fifth of the season. The combo of Beaulieu and Stoddard has secured the wins in the last two matches. The goal concluded the match and gave the Tigers the 1-0 win over the Ichabods.

The Tigers held the Ichaods to a shot-less second half as they collected 13. Throughout the two overtimes, Fort Hays State had the advantage in shots as they attempted five compared to just two from Washburn.

Kaitlin Minnich in goal for the Ichabods was given the loss as she amassed for 10 saves. The goalie duties for the Tigers switch heading into the overtime periods as Megan Kneefel took over for Kristen Thompson who faced five shots and collected two saves in regulation. Kneefel earned the victory alongside two saves of her own. With the win, Kneefel now sits with a 4-2-2 record in net for the Tigers.

The Tigers are next on the pitch on Wednesday at 7 p.m. as they play host to Missouri Southern who captured the No. 5 seed in the MIAA tournament. The first-round matchup is set to be played at FHSU Soccer Stadium.

HAYS, Kan. – Kenneth Iheme rushed for 146 yards while hauling in seven passes for 62 yards and touchdown leading seventh-ranked Fort Hays State to a 34-7 win over Emporia State in front of 4,519 Saturday afternoon at Lewis Field. The coupled with No. 1 Northwest Missouri State’s 20-10 loss at Pittsburg State gives the Tigers (9-0) sole possession of first place in the MIAA.

The Tigers can clinch their first MIAA title next Saturday when they play the Bearcats (8-1), who had their 38-game win streak snapped by the Gorillas, in Maryville.

Head Coach Chris Brown Postgame Press Conference

Jose Delgado Postgame Interview

Kenneth Iheme Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

Jacob Mezera completed 26 of 36 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Mezera connected with tight end J.J. Lewis on an eight-yard touchdown pass on the Tigers first possession. They would be held to two field goals the rest of the half and led 13-0 at halftime.

Tyler Bacon’s 68-yard touchdown reception on the first possession of the third quarter pushed the lead to 20-0.

After the defense forced a three-and-out, the Tigers drove 93 yards in four plays capped by Iheme’s 25-yard touchdown catch.

After a goal-line stand by the defense, the Tigers capped the scoring on a two-yard touchdown run from Charles Tigner who rushed for 99 yards on 13 carries. It capped a 99-yard, 11-play drive.

Emporia State scored their only touchdown with 5:24 to play.

FHSU finished the day with 583 yards while holding the Hornets (4-5) to 223. Jose Delgado had 12 tackles and redshirt freshman Sterling Swopes was credited with 2 1/2 sacks.

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State volleyball team dropped two matches Saturday afternoon inside Lee Arena on the campus of Washburn University. The Tigers were unable to stop the Ichabods in the opener, falling in three sets against Washburn before losing a four-set match against Oklahoma Baptist. The Tigers dip to 10-18 overall and 2-11 in conference play, while Washburn moves to 16-10 (7-7 MIAA) and the Bison are now 15-11.

Washburn 3, Fort Hays State 0 (19-25, 24-26, 17-25)
The Tigers had their chances in the opening match of the day, but a strong Washburn team rallied at opportune times to secure a sweep of FHSU. Fort Hays State managed a .145 attack percentage for the game, while Washburn countered with a .225 swing rate. Magan Alexander led the Tigers with 11 kills, with Kylie Rollman (10) also reaching double figures. Taylor White recorded 25 digs, a season-high for three set matches.

Fort Hays State kept things close in the opening set, rallying from as many as five down to tie things up at 16 thanks to a 6-1 run. The teams then traded points for the next few rallies until Washburn turned a 19-19 tie into a 25-19 win thanks to six consecutive points.

After recording a .125 hitting percentage in the opening set, the Tigers rallied back to post a .271 swing rate in the second frame. The Tigers traded the lead with the Ichabods for much of the second set, ultimately scoring three in a row on kills from Rollman, Logan Wallick and Callie Christensen to reach set point, 24-21. Washburn found a way to rally back, however, scoring the next five points to steal the set, 26-24.

The Tigers came out of the break on a mission, quickly jumping in front by five to open the third set, 14-9. The tides started to turn at that point, as the Ichabods went on a 16-3 run to close the set and seal the 3-0 victory.

Oklahoma Baptist 3, Fort Hays State 1 (13-25, 25-22, 19-25, 11-25)
Fort Hays State got off to a slow start in the second match of the day, but recovered to tie things up after the second set. Oklahoma Baptist regained momentum after the break, holding the FHSU offense at bay to win in four sets. The Bison posted a .259 hitting percentage while holding the Tigers to a .074 attack rate. Alexander again led the Tigers offensively, tallying seven kills. Christensen picked up six blocks in the match while adding five kills.

The Bison took control early in the first set, jumping out to an 8-2 lead. The Tigers were unable to bounce back, dropping the opening frame 25-13.

The second set was a different story, as the Tigers battled with OBU every step of the way. Neither team led by more than three for the entirety of the set, with the lead changing hands seven times. Oklahoma Baptist used a 3-1 run to jump back in front, 22-21, before three blocks from Christensen helped Fort Hays State rattled off four-straight points to secure the set, 25-22.

The teams went back-and-forth once again to open the third set, with Fort Hays State using a 4-1 run and a correct challenge from Brandi Fairbank to tie things up at 15. The Bison took control after that, going on a 10-4 run to close the third set before securing the match with a 25-11 victory in set four.

The Tigers will be back in action Sunday afternoon when they travel to Emporia, Kan. to face off with Emporia State. First serve is set for 4 p.m.

Fort Hays State, ranked No. 7 in the nation, looks to stay on top of the MIAA standings on Saturday when it hosts long-time rival Emporia State at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays. The 92nd installment of the series is set to begin at 2 pm. FHSU enters at 8-0, while ESU is 4-4.

The game can be heard on Tiger Radio Mix-103 beginning with the Auto World Pregame Show at 1 pm. Listen Live

The Tigers will be looking for a second straight win over the Hornets in Hays. The home team has won the last two games in the series. ESU took the meeting in Emporia last year 24-16, when the Hornets were No. 10 in the nation. Emporia State entered the season with strong hopes of MIAA contention as the preseason No. 4 ranked team in the nation, but has struggled to a 4-4 mark so far.

FHSU enters the week still tied for first place in the MIAA with two-time defending national champion Northwest Missouri State. The No. 1 ranked Bearcats are also 8-0. NWMSU plays at Pittsburg State this week. In the first edition of NCAA Super Region 3 Rankings, NWMSU is No. 1, FHSU is No. 3, and Central Missouri is No. 6. The top seven teams in the super region are selected to compete in the NCAA Division II Playoffs at the end of the regular season. FHSU is in position to make its first NCAA Playoff appearance since 1995.

The Tiger offense has produced over 200 rushing yards in each of the last three weeks. Leading the rushing attack is Kenneth Iheme, averaging 110.4 yards per game. He has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the last four games and now leads the MIAA in rushing. Charles Tigner is averaging 6.7 yards per carry and adds an average of 69.3 yards per game.

Jacob Mezera is completing 67 percent of his passes this season for 1,944 yards and 16 touchdowns. Monterio Burchfield has been the top receiver for the Tigers with 783 yards on 36 catches. He is averaging 97.9 yards receiving per game to rank second in the MIAA and has reached the endzone eight times.

Defensively, Jose Delgado leads the team in tackles with 64, while adding 3.5 sacks. Nathan Shepherd is the team leader in sacks with four. Doyin Jibowu leads in interceptions with four, while Kamon Clayton has broken up a team-high 11 passes.

The Tigers will be looking to break the school record for wins in a season. Fort Hays State has seen eight 8-win seasons in its history, but this year’s team looks to push that mark further with three weeks remaining in the regular season.

Game Promotions
–Make a Difference Day: Fans attending the football game on Saturday are invited to bring one or more items (non-perishable food, new clothing, hygiene products) or consider making a monetary donation to the Hope Pantry. Collection sites will be located at each entry into Lewis Field. Those who contribute will receive a raffle ticket for an exclusive Tiger Tailgate Package, including a reserved tailgate spot for the 2018 season, along with a cooler and other items for the perfect tailgating experience! The prize package will be given away at halftime.

-The annual Costumes and Candy event will take place during Saturday’s game as well. Kids Pre-school-12 years old will get into the game for FREE if they wear their Halloween Costume. There will also be a registration table outside the entrance on the east side of Lewis Field to sign up for the Trunk or Treat which will occur between the 3^rd and 4^th quarter. The first 100 kids to register and wear a costume will get a free book courtesy of the KNEA-Student Program at FHSU.