Kickoff: 4:00 PM CT (5:00 PM ET)
Venue: Carnie Smith Stadium, Pittsburg, Kansas (Capacity: ~11,910)
Broadcast: MIAA Digital Network / ESPN+
Weather Forecast (Pittsburg, KS)
Temperature: ~78°F (26°C) at kickoff, cooling into the low 70s by evening
Conditions: Mostly sunny, light winds (5–8 mph)
Impact: Perfect Family Day football weather; no disruptions expected.
Injury Report
Fort Hays State (2–1, 1–0 MIAA):
QB Jack Dawson – Healthy; led comeback win over CSU Pueblo with 3 TD passes.
RB Tye Edwards – Healthy; 210 rushing yards, 2 TDs through three games.
WR DJ Brown – Healthy; 2 TDs, 180 yards receiving.
Defense – No major injuries reported; unit held Nebraska-Kearney to 7 points last week.
Pittsburg State (1–2, 0–1 MIAA, ranked #18 AFCA):
QB Chase Jones – Healthy; threw game-winning TD vs. Grand Valley State.
RB Caleb Lewis – Healthy; 175 rushing yards, 2 TDs.
WR Jaden Snyder – Healthy; 12 receptions, 1 TD.
Defense – Healthy; forced 2 turnovers in upset of #3 Grand Valley State.
Key Player Matchups
QB Jack Dawson (FHSU) vs. PSU Secondary
Dawson’s poise in big games will be tested against a Gorilla defense that thrives on turnovers.
RB Tye Edwards (FHSU) vs. PSU Front Seven
Edwards’ ability to grind out yards could control tempo and keep PSU’s offense off the field.
QB Chase Jones (PSU) vs. FHSU Pass Rush
Jones must avoid sacks and turnovers against a Tigers defense that has been opportunistic.
WR DJ Brown (FHSU) vs. PSU Corners
Brown’s big-play ability could stretch the field and create mismatches.
Recent Team Form
Fort Hays State Tigers (2–1, 1–0 MIAA)
9/13: W 26–7 vs. Nebraska-Kearney
9/6: W 35–34 @ #5 CSU Pueblo
8/28: L 28–7 vs. Angelo State
Trend: Offense averaging 22.7 PPG; defense allowing 23.0 PPG.
Pittsburg State Gorillas (1–2, 0–1 MIAA, #18 AFCA)
9/13: W 17–14 vs. #3 Grand Valley State
9/6: L 27–24 @ Central Oklahoma
8/28: L 34–17 @ Ferris State
Trend: Offense averaging 19.3 PPG; defense allowing 25.0 PPG.
Series History
All-time series: Pittsburg State leads 45–24–1.
Last meeting (2024): Pittsburg State won 18–17 in Hays, KS.
2023: Fort Hays State won 40–14 in Pittsburg.
The last five meetings are split 3–2 in favor of Pittsburg State.
Betting Trends
Fort Hays State:
3–2 SU in last 5 games.
3–2 ATS in last 5.
Overs hit in 2 of last 5.
Pittsburg State:
2–3 SU in last 5 games.
2–3 ATS in last 5.
Unders hit in 3 of last 5.
Head-to-Head: Last 5 meetings split 3–2; average margin of victory just 8 points.
Historical Betting Results
Fort Hays State: Profitable ATS as a road underdog; overs common when offense clicks.
Pittsburg State: Strong ATS at home in September; unders frequent in defensive battles.
MIAA Trends: Home favorites cover ~57% of the time in September conference games.
Game Odds
Fort Hays State Tigers 47.5
Pittsburg State Gorillas – 7
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
