Venue & Game Details
Kickoff Time: 7:00 PM CT (8:00 PM ET)
Venue: Lewis Field Stadium, Hays, Kansas (Capacity ~6,500, turf surface)
Broadcast: The MIAA Network / ESPN+
Special Note: Fort Hays State’s Homecoming Game
Weather Forecast (Hays, KS)
Temperature: ~74°F (23°C) at kickoff, cooling into the mid-60s by the 4th quarter
Conditions: Mostly clear skies, light winds (5–9 mph)
Precipitation:
Impact: Ideal football weather; no disruptions expected
Injury Report (Projected)
(Note: MIAA programs rarely release official injury reports; this is based on recent availability trends)
Missouri Western Griffons:
QB Kane Donovan healthy (729 passing yards through 3 games).
WR Bryce Marcus III probable (14 catches, 167 yards).
RB Brandon Hall (174 yards) active.
Secondary missing one starter (questionable).
Fort Hays State Tigers:
QB Caleb Heavner healthy (750 passing yards, 137 rushing).
RB Travis Dixon probable (167 rushing yards).
WR Ryan Allen active (153 yards).
DL Gaven Haselhorst (3 sacks) healthy.
Key Player Matchups
QB Battle: Kane Donovan (MWSU) vs. Caleb Heavner (FHSU)
Donovan has been efficient but turnover-prone under pressure. Heavner is a dual-threat who can extend plays with his legs.
MWSU RB Brandon Hall vs. FHSU Front Seven
Hall leads the Griffons’ ground game, but FHSU’s linebackers have been stout, holding Nebraska-Kearney to just 7 points earlier this season.
FHSU WR Ryan Allen vs. MWSU Secondary
Allen has been Heavner’s most reliable target. Missouri Western’s DBs must prevent chunk plays downfield.
Recent Team Form
Fort Hays State (2–2, 1–1 MIAA):
L @ Pittsburg State (31–16)
W vs Nebraska-Kearney (26–7)
L vs CSU Pueblo (36–35)
W vs Angelo State (28–7)
Strength: Balanced offense, opportunistic defense.
Weakness: Inconsistent 4th-quarter play (blew lead vs PSU).
Missouri Western (1–2, 0–1 MIAA):
L vs Central Missouri (34–26)
W vs Missouri S&T (27–10)
L @ Augustana (30–26)
Strength: Passing game shows flashes of explosiveness.
Weakness: Defense allowing 30+ in 2 of 3 games.
Conference vs. Conference
Both teams are MIAA rivals.
Fort Hays State: Ranked #22 nationally, looking to stay in the MIAA title chase.
Missouri Western: Trying to avoid a 1–3 start and climb back into contention.
Series History
All-time series: Missouri Western leads overall, but Fort Hays State snapped a 5-game losing streak last year.
Recent meetings:
2024: Fort Hays State 30, Missouri Western 16 (in Hays)
2023: Missouri Western 28, Fort Hays State 7 (in St. Joseph)
Trend: The last two meetings have been split, with the home team winning each time.
Betting Trends:
Fort Hays State is 3–1 ATS this season (modeled).
Missouri Western is 1–2 ATS this season.
FHSU games have gone Over in 2 of 4.
MWSU games have gone Over in 2 of 3.
Historical Betting Results (Modeled)
2024: Fort Hays State -3.5 (covered, won 30–16)
2023: Missouri Western -6.5 (covered, won 28–7)
2022: Missouri Western -4.5 (covered, won 35–24)
2021: Missouri Western -2.5 (covered, won 38–31)
Game Odds
Missouri Western Griffons 51.5
Fort Hays State Tigers – 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
