FHSU Athletics
Fort Hays State (3-1, 1-1 MIAA) at
#23/23 Central Oklahoma (3-0, 2-0 MIAA)
Saturday, September 28 - 7 p.m.
Edmond, Okla. - Chad Richison Stadium
Radio: KJLS (103.3) CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Video: MIAA Network: CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)
Fort Hays State will face a ranked opponent for the second time this season on Saturday when it travels to Central Oklahoma. The Tigers (3-1, 1-1 MIAA) take on a Bronchos team ranked No. 23 in both the AFCA and D2Football.com Top 25 Polls. UCO is out to a 3-0 start to the season and is 2-0 in the MIAA. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond.
This game features the nation's top total offense in Central Oklahoma vs. the MIAA's top scoring defense in Fort Hays State. The Bronchos are averaging 582.7 yards per game to lead the nation, while FHSU is yielding an MIAA best 13.8 points per game. The Tigers are second in the MIAA in total defense, allowing just 313.3 yards per game.
The Tigers are coming off a 37-0 win over Northeastern State last week in Hays. It was FHSU's tenth-straight win over the RiverHawks going back to 2014 and second-straight shutout after winning 56-0 in 2023. They have defended their home field so far this season, but seek their first road victory of the season.
The Bronchos are coming off a 32-17 win at Nebraska-Kearney last week. Prior to that, the Bronchos upset a then No. 2 ranked Central Missouri team in Edmond 57-40 back on September 14. The Bronchos have gained at least 435 yards in every game this season, including two games of 580 or better.
This UCO team is looking much stronger than what the Tigers faced last year in Hays. FHSU won that meeting by shutout 34-0 to snap a two-game win streak in the series by the Bronchos. FHSU leads the MIAA series between the teams 6-3, but UCO leads the all-time series 9-7. FHSU is 4-4 all-time in Edmond. With the shutout result last year, coupled with the two shutouts in a row against Northeastern State in 2023 and 2024, the Tigers have shutout three-straight opponents from Oklahoma.
Offensively for the Tigers, Shane Watts averages 134 all-purpose yards per game, which ranks third in the MIAA and 21st nationally. His seven total touchdowns ranks fifth nationally and his 378 rushing yards ranks eighth nationally. Jack Dawson is averaging 204.3 passing yards per game and Trevor Watts averages 6.0 receptions per game.
In the kicking game, Carson Arndt is 8-of-9 on field goal attempts this season and ranks third nationally in field goals per game (2.0). Parker Janky is averaging 44.7 yards per attempt and ranks 13th nationally.
On the defensive side of the ball, Makel Williams leads the Tigers and MIAA in tackles with 37, averaging 9.3 per game. Myles Menges is tied for the MIAA lead in sacks with 3.0 and Sam Brandt leads the Tigers in interceptions with two.
Fort Hays State will be seeking its first road win over an AFCA Top 25 ranked team since the 2019 season when it defeated a No. 19 ranked Pittsburg State team 42-41 in Pittsburg on October 19.