Sunflower Slate

MIAA

Fort Hays State (1-0 league, 3-0 overall) at Emporia State (1-1, 3-1), 1 p.m. — The Tigers are 3-0 for the first time since 1983 and a win here, in their first road game of the season, could propel them into the national rankings. Fort Hays quarterback Mike Garrison, a Butler Community College product, is the early leader for MIAA offensive player of the year honors as he’s thrown for 931 yards, 10 touchdowns and just one interception to go with 180 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Emporia State pulled off the minor upset last week with a 30-27 win over Missouri Southern in which the Hornets intercepted five passes.

Other games

Washburn (0-1, 1-2) at No. 21 Central Missouri (2-0, 3-1), 1:30 p.m. – Ichabods in a fix, likely loss for Washburn

Pittsburg State (0-1, 2-1) at Missouri Western (1-0, 3-0), 6 p.m.  – Western is MIAA upstart, PSU is MIAA has-been

KCAC

No. 25 Sterling (1-0, 2-0) at No. 15 Ottawa (1-1, 2-1), 6 p.m. — And the battle for second place in the KCAC begins right here. With Ottawa coming off of its first league loss in nearly two years last Saturday, a 56-24 shellacking at McPherson, the Braves could be vulnerable against a Sterling team that has been just outside of the league’s playoff race the last couple of years. Sterling tailback Rashard Colquitt is fifth in the KCAC in rushing with 100.5 yards per game and three touchdowns.

Other games

Bethany (1-1, 1-1) at MacMurray (1-1), 1 p.m. – tough loss for Swedes last week at hands of Tabor

Southwestern (0-2, 0-3) at Saint Mary (0-2, 0-3), 1:30 p.m.  – Moundbuilders should get first win after three tough losses

Bethel (0-1, 0-2) at Kansas Wesleyan (2-0, 2-0), 7 p.m.  – KWU still unproven in KCAC, can they contend?

Friends (1-1, 1-1) at Tabor (1-1, 1-1), 7 p.m.  – Falcons need to get back on track

JAYHAWK

Dodge City (0-2, 0-3) at No. 2 Butler (2-0, 4-0), 7 p.m. — Consider this the first of the Grizzlies’ three tune-ups (Dodge City, Garden City, Independence) before back-to-back showdowns against fellow top 5 teams Coffeyville and Hutchinson in October, games that will likely go a long way toward determining the league champion and, possibly, a shot at a national title for one of the three schools. With Butler’s bye not coming until the final weekend of the regular season on Oct. 30, injuries have to be a concern.

Other games

No. 5 Coffeyville (2-0, 3-0) at Fort Scott (1-2, 1-3), 1 p.m.  – Greyhounds’ season of woe continues

Garden City (1-2, 2-2) at Air Force Prep (2-2), 2 p.m.  – should be another loss for Broncbusters

Highland (1-2, 1-3) at Independence (1-2, 1-3), 7 p.m. – both teams have legit shot at last playoff spot