FHSU Athletics
Fort Hays State (0-0, 0-0 MIAA)
at
Northeastern State (0-0,
0-0 MIAA)
Thursday, August 31 - 6 p.m.
Tahlequah, Okla. – Gable Field at Doc Wadley
Stadium
Radio - KJLS (103.3)
Fort Hays State Football opens its 2023 campaign on Thursday night (Aug. 31) at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla. After an injury riddled 2022 season, the Tigers are looking to get back on track this year in the perennially tough Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Kickoff from Doc Wadley Stadium will be at 6 p.m. Watch the game live on The MIAA Network, or follow on KJLS radio (103.3) or live stats.
Fort Hays State has won the last eight meetings versus Northeastern State dating back to the 2014 season. FHSU has scored 27 or more points in all eight games during the streak, highlighted by a 91-point outburst in Tehlequah in 2019. The Tigers have outscored the RiverHawks 380-67 during the eight-game streak, averaging 47.5 points per game.
FHSU leads the all-time series 8-2 and has an 8-0 mark against NSU in MIAA play. NSU won the first two meetings in 1989 and 1990, when both teams were a member of the NAIA.
Fort Hays State won last year's meeting in Hays, 27-14. The Tigers led 20-0 through three quarters before the RiverHawks mounted a comeback early in the fourth quarter when they pulled within six points. A 38-yard touchdown pass from Jack Dawson to Dawson Brown II with just over nine minutes to play pushed the lead to the final 13-point margin.
Though the Tigers struggled to just three wins in 2022, they owned one of the top red-zone efficiencies in NCAA Division II, finishing 11th in NCAA Division II with an 88.9 percent success rate, converting 32-of-36 chances with 23 touchdowns and nine field goals.
All of FHSU's returning all-conference performers are on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive end Myles Menges, linebacker Makel Williams and safety Mason Perez earned All-MIAA Third Team honors in 2022. The trio combined for 178 tackles in 2022.
On the offensive side of the ball, Jack Dawson is projected to start at quarterback after throwing for 1,722 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. He is also the top returning rusher for the Tigers, churning out 245 yards. Ja'Quan Tillis had the most rushing yards last season (166) among returning running backs. Leyton Cure leads the team in receiving yards among returners with 281.