Fort Hays State football coach Chris Brown held his final weekly press conference of the season following the Tigers 6-5 season.

Part 1

Part 2

The 25th-ranked Fort Hays State Tigers shot 61-percent in the first half including 8-of-11 from beyond the arc, building a 16-point lead then had to hold on in the second half to defeat the Newman Jets 96-87 Tuesday at Gross Coliseum. The victory improves FHSU to 4-0 while the Jets fall to 2-2.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Craig Nicholson Postgame Interview

(To play audio clips, move cursor to left of media player and left click)

The Tigers used runs of 15-4 and 15-5 in the first 20 minutes and led by as many as 20. They led by 20 early in the second half but a 20-6 run by the Jets cut the lead to six midway through the second half. Up seven, Carson Konrade hit a three-pointer to push the lead back to 10 and the Jets wouldn’t get any closer than eight the rest of the way.

Game Highlights

The Tigers shoot 53-percent for the game including 11-of-22 from three-point range but hit just 3-of-11 from beyond the arc in the second half.

Dwayne Brunson led the Tigers with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Tomislav Gabric added 18 points and 10 boards. Carson Konrade was 4-for-8 from beyond the arc and scored 20 while Craig Nicholson added 11 points and a career-high 15 assists.

The Fort Hays State Lady Tigers closed the first half on a 15-0 run, building a 29-point halftime lead then opened the second half on a 9-2 run and defeat the Bethel Threshers 78-38 Tuesday night at Gross Coliseum. FHSU improves to 3-0 with the win. The Threshers fall to 2-3.

Tony Hobson Interview

Game Highlights

Kate Edwards led three Tigers in double-figures with 16 points and 12 rebounds, her second double-double of the season. Taylor Chandler and Tera Inglesbee both added 12 points.

Fort Hays State struggled from perimeter, hitting just 3-of-22 from beyond the arc (1-11 in the second half), and held a slight three rebound advantage.

After a one-year absence from the NABC Division II National Poll, Fort Hays State men’s basketball returns to the rankings with a 3-0 start to the 2013-14 season. The Tigers are ranked No. 25 in the first NABC regular season poll. FHSU received votes in the preseason poll.

Fort Hays State opened up the season with a pair of quality wins in Minnesota against Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference teams Southwest Minnesota State and Upper Iowa. Upper Iowa made the NCAA Tournament last year. FHSU then went on the road this past Saturday and defeated Northwestern Oklahoma State, a team that tied for the Great American Conference regular season championship last year.

This is the first appearance for the Tigers in the poll since January 24, 2012, when it was ranked No. 23 before dipping out of the poll for the remainder of the 2011-12 season.

The Tigers have a pair of home games against Division II competition this week in Newman on Tuesday and Oklahoma-Panhandle State on Saturday.

FHSU and Northeastern State (No. 10) are the only two schools from the MIAA currently referenced in the poll.

Below are the rankings for Tuesday, November 19.

The Fort Hays State football team had 12 players named to the 2013 All-MIAA Football Team, released on Tuesday (Nov. 19). The Tigers had five selections on both offense and defense, and two special teams selections. Seven of the 12 selections were seniors in 2013.

Earning second-team selections were junior Michael Jordan at defensive back and senior Mario Abundez at offensive lineman. Grabbing third-team honors were senior Andre Smith at running back, senior Keaton Callins at wide receiver, junior Jesse Trent at defensive lineman, and sophomore Justin McPhail at linebacker. Earning honorable mention selections were senior Tanner Hageman at wide receiver, senior Cameron Owens at punter, senior Jeremy Jones at defensive lineman, senior Greg List at offensive lineman, junior Michael Terry at linebacker, and freshman DeAndre James at kick returner.

Michael Jordan was named to the All-MIAA Team for the second straight year after an honorable mention selection in 2012. Jordan led the team in interceptions in 2013 with five, tying the eighth-most in a single season at FHSU. He ranked third on the team in tackles with 70 and had three pass break-ups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He tied for the MIAA lead in interceptions in the regular season.

Mario Abundez impressed at right tackle in his senior year to earn second team honors on the offensive line. He helped the team to 4,721 total yards for the season, the third-most in school history. He started all 11 contests for FHSU. He helped block for Fort Hays State’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2004 and the first quarterback in school history to throw for at least 2,000 yards and rush for at least 500 in the same season.

Andre Smith grabbed All-MIAA honors at running back for the second time in his career at FHSU with a third-team selection after honorable mention honors in 2011. Smith became the first 1,000-yard rusher at FHSU since the 2004 season, finishing 2013 with 1,013. It took a career-high effort from Smith to reach the plateau as he rushed for 210 yards in the season finale against Nebraska-Kearney. He also added 212 receiving yards to lead the team with 1,225 all-purpose yards, averaging 111.4 per game. He finished his career with 1,981 rushing yards and 2,627 all-purpose yards. Smith ranked fifth in the MIAA in rushing yards per game (92.1) for the regular season.

Keaton Callins had a great senior year at wide receiver to earn third team honors. With just 26 receptions in his career entering 2013, Callins had a standout season with a team-leading 53 receptions for 756 yards and 11 touchdowns. He ranked eighth in the MIAA in receiving yards per game (68.7) and 10th in receptions per game (4.8) in the regular season. His 11 touchdown receptions ranked third for a single-season in FHSU history and also third in the MIAA this year. He tied for eighth in the MIAA in scoring among non-kickers, averaging 6.5 points per game with 12 total touchdowns for the season. Callins also had 10 punt returns for 126 yards and a touchdown this year. Callins finished his career with 79 receptions for 1,087 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns.

Jesse Trent earned third-team honors on the defensive line. He ranked ninth for FHSU in tackles with 41 and had a half sack to his credit. His 7.0 tackles for loss ranked second on the team. Trent now has a total of 90 tackles in his career.

Justin McPhail earned third-team honors at linebacker. He led the Tigers in tackles with 90 and he added four tackles for loss including two sacks. He also recorded an interception, forced fumble, fumble recovery and three pass break-ups on the year. McPhail ranked ninth in the MIAA in tackles per game (8.2) in the regular season. He now has 99 tackles at the midway point of his collegiate career.

Tanner Hageman closed out his collegiate career with honorable mention honors at wide receiver. He ranked second on the team in receptions with 31 and third in receiving yards with 412. He finished his career with 74 receptions for 925 yards and seven touchdowns.

Cameron Owens capped his career with honorable mention honors at punter. He averaged 41.3 yards on 40 punts with 68 yards as his best effort in 2013. He had 16 punts inside the 20 and 11 punts resulted in fair catches. His average of 41.3 ranked fifth for a single-season at FHSU. His career average of 39.6 yards per punt ranks him third in school history. He was named the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week and National Special Teams Player of the Week once in 2013.

Jeremy Jones finished his career with honorable mention honors on the defensive line. Jones led the Tigers in sacks (5.0) and tackles for loss (9.0) in 2013. He ranked eighth in the MIAA in sacks and 12th in tackles for loss in the regular season. He also ranked sixth on the team in total tackles with 47. Jones finished his career as a Tiger with 65 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 11.5 tackles for loss over two years.

Greg List, who entered the 2013 season with just one game played, emerged to earn honorable mention honors on the offensive line. He started all 11 games for FHSU at center. He helped the team to 4,721 total yards for the season, the third-most in school history. He helped block for Fort Hays State’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2004 and the first quarterback in school history to throw for at least 2,000 yards and rush for at least 500 in the same season.

Michael Terry picked up his first All-MIAA honor with an honorable mention nod at linebacker. Terry ranked second in tackles for FHSU with 75. He also had one sack, one forced fumble, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries (one that went for 94 yards). Terry now has 110 total tackles in his career at FHSU.

DeAndre James burst onto the scene in his true freshman season to earn honorable mention honors as a kick returner. James averaged 25.2 yards on 20 kick returns for a total of 504 kick return yards. The 504 yards ranks 10th most for a single-season in FHSU history. He ranked sixth in the MIAA in kick return average. James also recorded six tackles for the season as a special teamer and back-up defensive back.

— FHSU Sports Information —

2013 All-MIAA Football Team
MIAA Offensive Player of the Year – Trevor Adams, QB, Northwest Missouri
MIAA Defensive Player of the Year – Matt Longacre, DL, Northwest Missouri
MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year – John Brown, KR/PR, Pittsburg State
MIAA Co-Freshmen of the Year – Antonio Brown, RB, Emporia State & Josh Powell, DL, Central Missouri
MIAA Coach of the Year – Adam Dorrel, Northwest Missouri

First Team (Offense)
QB – Trevor Adams, Northwest Missouri
RB – Joshua Birmingham, Central Oklahoma
RB – Jeff Seybold, Pittsburg State
WR – Marquez Clark, Central Oklahoma
WR – Ray Ray Davis, Emporia State
WR – John Brown, Pittsburg State
TE/FB – Tore’ Hurst, Washburn
OL – Cole Manhart, Nebraska-Kearney^
OL – Jarrett Stastny, Emporia State
OL – Cody Carlson, Northwest Missouri
OL – Cody Holland, Pittsburg State
OL – Kyle Duncan, Washburn
K – Justin Linn, Washburn
KR/PR – John Brown, Pittsburg State
^=Unanimous Selection

First Team (Defense)
DL – Matt Longacre, Northwest Missouri
DL – Brandon Yost, Northwest Missouri
DL – Joe Uzzel, Pittsburg State
DL – Cameron Jackson, Washburn
LB – Jordan Sanders, Emporia State
LB – Eric Reimer, Northwest Missouri
LB – DJ Gnader, Northwest Missouri
LB – Nate Dreiling, Pittsburg State
LB – Bryce Atagi, Washburn
DB – Chris Poston, Emporia State
DB – Pierre Desir, Lindenwood
DB – Mike Jordan, Missouri Western
DB – Brandon Dixon, Northwest Missouri
P – Scott Groner, Missouri Western
Five Linebackers due to tie in the voting

Second Team (Offense)
QB – Brent Wilson, Emporia State
RB – Morris Henderson, Lincoln
RB – Raphael Spencer, Missouri Western
WR – Ronrei Lloyd, Central Missouri
WR – Austin Willis, Emporia State
WR – Alex Robinson, Lindenwood
TE/FB – Reggie Jordan, Missouri Western
OL – Brian Berzanski, Central Missouri
OL – Cameron Pound, Central Oklahoma
OL – Mario Abundez, Fort Hays State
OL – Jeremy Jacobson, Missouri Western
OL – CJ Keeney, Northwest Missouri
K – Zach Gebhardt, Central Missouri
KR/PR – Marquez Clark, Central Oklahoma

Second Team (Defense)
DL – Ramond Hunter, Central Missouri
DL – Kenny Allen, Central Oklahoma
DL – Austin Baska, Missouri Western
DL – Taye Irvin, Pittsburg State
LB – Ricky Spratley, Central Missouri
LB – Gatlin Ridgway, Missouri Southern
LB – Langston Jones, Northeastern State
LB – Shaquille Shedd, Southwest Baptist
DB – Gary Fortune, Emporia State
DB – Michael Jordan, Fort Hays State
DB – Brian Dixon, Northwest Missouri
DB – Keeston Terry, Pittsburg State
DB – DJ Wakes, Washburn
P – Kyle Goodburn, Northwest Missouri
Five Defensive Backs due to tie in the voting

Third Team (Offense)
QB – Hayden Hawk, Central Missouri
RB – LaVance Taylor, Central Missouri
RB – Andre Smith, Fort Hays State
WR – Keaton Callins, Fort Hays State
WR – Derwyn Lauderdale, Southwest Baptist
WR – DaJuan Beard, Washburn
TE/FB – Chris Barnwell, Missouri Southern
TE/FB – Marcus Wright, Northwest Missouri
OL – Aaron Blount, Emporia State
OL – Jerry Lee Johnson, Lincoln
OL – Jose Zuniga, Lindenwood
OL – Cole Chevalier, Northwest Missouri
OL – Tyler Smith, Pittsburg State
K – Connor Frazell, Pittsburg State
KR/PR – LaVance Taylor, Central Missouri

Third Team (Defense)
DL – Neil Shortell, Emporia State
DL – Jesse Trent, Fort Hays State
DL – Thomas Stubbs, Lindenwood
DL – Arbanas Elliot, Missouri Western
LB – Justin McPhail, Fort Hays State
LB – Kendrick Causey, Lincoln
LB – Kellen Werner, Nebraska-Kearney
LB – Tyler Disney, Pittsburg State
DB – Gaige Washington, Missouri Southern
DB – Kyler Harris, Northeastern State
DB – De’Vante Bausby, Pittsburg State
DB – Evan Ray, Southwest Baptist
P – Ed Burns, Lindenwood

Honorable Mention
QB – Adrian Nelson, Central Oklahoma; Jacob Morris, Lincoln; Jay McDowell, Missouri Southern; Travis Partridge, Missouri Western; Anthony Abenoja, Pittsburg State

RB – Antonio Brown, Emporia State; Giresse Forchu, Missouri Southern; Terrance Dixon, Northeastern State; Billy Creason, Northwest Missouri

WR – Christian Hood, Central Oklahoma; Kavaski Ervin, Emporia State; Tanner Hageman, Fort Hays State; Jaron Alexander, Lindenwood; Stephon Weaver, Missouri Western; Derek Libby, Missouri Western; Clint Utter, Northwest Missouri; Matt Kobbeman, Washburn

TE/FB – Cullen Rosine, Central Missouri; Josh Klumpe, Emporia State; Nick Whitlow, Northeastern State; Joel Gantz, Northwest Missouri; Conner Combes, Pittsburg State

OL – Justin Manu, Central Missouri; Brandon Waggoner, Central Oklahoma; Danny Goodman, Emporia State; Greg List, Fort Hays State; Jarve Dean, Lincoln; Roberto Limon, Lincoln; Cesar Estrada, Lincoln; Justin Campbell, Lincoln; Jacob Heneisen, Lindenwood; Austin Wolfe, Missouri Southern; Caleb Benner, Missouri Southern; Ross Dvorak, Northeastern State; Ethan James, Northeastern State; Hudson Baab, Northeastern State; Ollie Venegas, Pittsburg State; Derrick Okafor, Southwest Baptist; Sydney Wiggs, Southwest Baptist; Jimmy Schmitzer, Southwest Baptist; Michael Miller, Washburn

DL – Josh Powell, Central Missouri; Tyler Newton, Central Oklahoma; Justin Wilson, Emporia State; Ryan Louia, Emporia State; Jeremy Jones, Fort Hays State; DeShawn Lawson, Lindenwood; John Oglesby, Missouri Western; Dakota Moran, Northeastern State; Bryant Hummel, Northwest Missouri; Matt Meinart, Northwest Missouri; Avery Adair, Pittsburg State; Johnathan Drury, Southwest Baptist; Adebayo Oladapo, Washburn

LB – Zach Quines, Central Missouri; Adrian Shoecraft, Central Oklahoma; DeShawn Dinwiddie, Emporia State; Tariq Allen, Emporia State; Michael Terry, Fort Hays State; Dillon Hawkins, Lindenwood; Clint Koons, Lindenwood; Tyke Kozeal, Nebraska-Kearney; Dalvin Taylor, Missouri Southern; Stephen Juergens, Missouri Western; Nick Williams, Missouri Western; Willie Williams, Washburn

DB – Julia Dozier, Emporia State; Ivan Hodges, Southwest Baptist; Jason Peete, Pittsburg State; Markuice Savage, Lincoln; Wesley Thomas, Lindenwood; Johnquavious McBride, Missouri Southern; Bryce Enyard, Northwest Missouri; Aries Herrion, Pittsburg State; Devon Connors, Washburn

K – Seth Hiddink, Central Oklahoma; Eli Kuhns Emporia State

P  Cameron Owens, Fort Hays State

KR/PR – DeAndre James, Fort Hays State; Devion Dinwiddie, Emporia State

The Fort Hays State men’s soccer team now knows when and where they will play their NCAA tournament match with Lindenwood.

The Tigers and Lions, who both received first-round byes, will face each other Friday at four-30 at Bourke Field on the Rockhurst campus. The winner will advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals where it will play the winner of the Rockhurst/Lewis contest.

The Tigers enter Friday’s game with a 12-4-3 record and are ranked 20th in the country. Lindenwood is 17-0-3 record and it is ranked first in NCAA Division II. The two teams have played twice this season with Lindenwood going 1-0-1. In the regular season, the Lions won 4-3 in St. Charles, Mo. In the MIAA Tournament finals in Olathe, Kan., the two teams tied 0-0 before Lindenwood won the shootout.

On the other side of the Super Regional bracket, Rockhurst is 15-3-3 overall and Lewis is 13-2-5. Rockhurst is 14th in NCAA Division II and Lewis is No. 25. Those two teams have met once this year with Rockhurst winning 2-0 in Romeoville, Ill.

The winner of the Super Regional will advance to the Final Four in Evans, Ga. The semifinal games will be played on Dec. 5 and the championship contest is on Dec. 7.