College football 2016: A look at the MIAA
A look at the Kansas schools in the MIAA. In alphabetical order.
Emporia State
Coach: Garin Higgins, 10th season, 104-59
2015: 11-3, 9-2 MIAA (2nd)
Outlook: Emporia State, ranked 24th in NCAA Division II, will be tested early, hosting No. 1 Northwest Missouri, the defending national champion. Receiver Mitchell Foote returns after leading the MIAA in touchdown receptions with 12 (17th in the nation). Linebacker Kole Shankie is expected to spark the defense. He led the Hornets in tackles last season with 105. Also returning is All-America kicker Austin Morton, who made 22 of 25 field goals and 59 of 59 extra points.
Date | Opponent | Time |
Sept. 1 | Northwest Missouri | 7 |
Sept. 8 | at Neb.-Kearney | 7 |
Sept. 17 | Missouri Southern | 2 |
Sept. 24 | at Central Missouri | 1 |
Oct. 1 | Central Oklahoma | 2 |
Oct. 8 | at NE Oklahoma | 2 |
Oct. 15 | Lindenwood | 2 |
Oct. 22 | at Pittsburg St. | 2 |
Oct. 29 | Fort Hays St. | 2 |
Nov. 5 | at Missouri Western | 1 |
Nov. 12 | at Washburn | 1 |
Fort Hays State
Coach: Chris Brown, sixth season, 30-26
2015: 8-4, 8-3 (T3rd)
Outlook: Returning is running back Shaquille Cooper, who ran for 1,441 and had 309 receiving yards last season. He scored 14 touchdowns. The top receiver returning is Evan Jennings, who caught 16 passes for 337 yards. The Tigers return 9 of 11 starters on defense, sparked by tackle Nathan Shepherd, who had 69 tackles, three sacks and five tackles for losses.
Date | Opponent | Time |
Sept. 1 | Missouri Southern | 7 |
Sept. 8 | at Central Missouri | 7 |
Sept. 17 | Central Oklahoma | 7 |
Sept. 24 | at Northeast Oklahoma | 1 |
Oct. 1 | Lindenwood | 2 |
Oct. 8 | at Pittsburg St. | 2 |
Oct. 15 | at Washburn | 1 |
Oct. 22 | Missouri Western | 2 |
Nov. 5 | Northwest Missouri | 2 |
Nov. 12 | at Neb.-Kearney | 2 |
Pittsburg State
Coach: Tim Beck, sixth season, 47-14
2015: 6-5, 6-5 (T5th)
Outlook: Pitt State returns 13 players (eight offense, five defense) who started more than four games last season. Returning at quarterback is Thomas LePage, who started the final five games in 2015. He threw for 574 yards for the season, hitting 56 of 125 passes. He also rushed for 213 yards on 90 carries.
Date | Opponent | Time |
Sept. 1 | Central Missouri | 7 |
Sept. 8 | at Central Oklahoma | 7 |
Sept. 17 | Northeastern Oklahoma | 7 |
Sept. 24 | at Lindenwood | 6 |
Oct. 1 | at Washburn | 1 |
Oct. 8 | Fort Hays St. | 2 |
Oct. 22 | Emporia St. | 2 |
Oct. 29 | at Northwest Missouri | 2:30 |
Nov. 5 | Neb.-Kearney | 2 |
Nov. 12 | at Missouri Southern | 3:30 |
Washburn
Coach: Craig Schurig, 15th season, 96-64
2015: 5-6, 5-6 (8th)
Outlook: Washburn returns quarterback Derek McGinnis, who threw for 2,409 yards and 26 TDs. Four starters return in the offensive line. McGinnis’ top target Bryce Chavis also returns. Chavis caught 51 passed for 759 yards last season.
Date | Opponent | Time |
Sept. 1 | Northeastern Oklahoma | 6 |
Sept. 8 | at Northwest Missouri | 7 |
Sept. 17 | Lindenwood | 6 |
Sept. 24 | at Neb.-Kearney | 2 |
Oct. 1 | Pittsburg St. | 1 |
Oct. 8 | at Missouri Southern | 3 |
Oct. 15 | Fort Hays St. | 1 |
Oct. 22 | at Central Missouri | 1:30 |
Oct. 29 | Missouri Western | 1 |
Nov. 5 | at Central Oklahoma | 2 |
Nov. 12 | Emporia St. | 2 |
This story was originally published August 22, 2016 at 5:19 PM with the headline "College football 2016: A look at the MIAA."