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Tigers with another shot to make their mark

10/9/2009

By CONOR NICHOLL

cnicholl@dailynews.net

Last week, the Fort Hays State University football team traveled to then No. 17 Washburn University, a team with a strong quarterback, talented wide receivers and a solid defense. The Tigers lost 28-14 in a game decided in the fourth quarter.

Saturday, Fort Hays will try to reverse last week's loss against virtually the same squad in another road venue.

For the second straight week, FHSU takes on a ranked team in No. 16 University of Central Missouri, Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. in Warrensburg, Mo.

The Mules (5-1, 3-1 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) feature senior quarterback Eric Czerniewski, a returning all-conference player and one of the MIAA's top quarterbacks. In addition, the Mules have senior Bobby Guillory, an electrifying receiver and returner who leads the conference in kickoff average (37.7), and a unit in that ranks second in the conference in scoring defense (19.2 points/game).

"They are more of a zone team offensively and they will throw the football around a little bit," head coach Kevin Verdugo said.

"Defensively, they are a very similar scheme to Washburn. They mix their coverages up a little bit differently.

"Probably bring a little more pressure, probably blitz a little more," he added. "A couple games they were really blitzing early this year and then they have kind of toned it down a tad, but they still bring it more than Washburn does. In a way, it's a second chance for our offense against the same kind of defense."

And it's another opportunity for FHSU (4-2, 2-2 MIAA) to beat a ranked team on the road. The Tigers, since switching conferences four years ago, have one road conference win and are 0-5 versus ranked teams away from Hays.

The improved Tigers likely need a victory to stay in the postseason hunt. In the first regional rankings released Monday, Fort Hays stands eighth in Super Regional 4. Central Missouri ranks tenth. Top six teams make the playoffs.

"That's still our main goal," freshman linebacker Layton Hickel said.

In the last three years, 11 MIAA squads have reached either the Division II playoffs or Mineral Water Bowl. Every team finished in the top four in the conference; Central ranks fourth and the Tigers are sixth. None of the postseason squads have won fewer than six games and five MIAA contests.

"We are in the thick of our conference and that is why it is the best Division II conference in the country," Verdugo said. "Kids are coached extremely well by everybody in this conference and everybody has got good players."

Several of those top players, including senior running back Jacobb Irvin and junior defensive back Michael Walker, missed practice this week because of illness. Freshman special teamer/running back Jordan Ottley, a Victoria native and special teams starter, suffered a concussion Wednesday and likely will not play Saturday.

One Tiger healthy all season is senior quarterback Mike Garrison. Entering Week 7 in 2008, Garrison had already suffered a broken jaw and had produced subpar numbers in his first season as a starter.

A season later, Garrison has already eclipsed his 2008 statistics, throwing for 1,428 yards with nine TDs against two interceptions, tied for the fewest among any MIAA quarterback. His 62.9 completion percentage is on pace to break the school mark.

Garrison and Czerniewski, a former Harlon Hill Award candidate, have helped MIAA offenses enjoy an offensive surge. Six teams average at least 30 points a game compared to four last season. FHSU ranks fifth at 33.7, while Central is sixth at 32.8.

"There's six to seven quarterbacks in a ten team league that are doing very well this year," Verdugo said. "A good triggerman is always going to make you have a nice offense."

Seven MIAA offenses rank in the top 49 in the country in passing offense, including the Tigers at No. 42. In addition, seven stand in the top 42 in passing efficiency (Tigers are 39th).

Last season, just three teams stood in the top 49 in passing offense; four in the top 42 in passing efficiency.

Verdugo listed Washburn University sophomore Dane Simoneau, Northwest Missouri State University's Blake Bolles, University of Nebraska-Omaha senior Greg Wunderlich, Missouri Western State University junior Drew Newhart, Garrison, Czerniewski and Truman State University's Phillip Davis (now injured) as strong QBs.

"This is kind of a crazy year a little bit," Verdugo said. "We normally have one or two good quarterbacks in the conference since I have been here at Fort Hays. It seems like we have got a pretty good handful of good quarterbacks this year. I am a little partial, but I think Mike is doing very well this year."

Another constant for the Tigers is lack of penalties. Fort Hays leads the conference and stands fifth in Division II in fewest penalties (23) and yards (231). Central stands eighth in the conference in penalty yards (68.7).

"The only thing that we ever say in play smart and have class," Verdugo said. "They go out there and we just encourage them to play fast and play hard. Don't get caught standing around the pile."

With a bigger crowd expected for Homecoming, Central Missouri athletics will be opening another tailgate lot at the corner of South St. and Holden St. (Lots 1 and 26).

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