By David Boyce

Fort Hays State football coach Kevin Verdugo found it unnecessary to use the preseason coaches’ poll as a motivational tool.

The Tigers lost their last eight MIAA games a year ago and finished last. Most preseason polls are based on last year’s results. It is simple logic that Fort Hays State was picked to finish 10th.

“It’s not something we really discussed,” Verdugo said. “I have the attitude they can all read. They know what people thought. I don’t think there is a need for me to stand up there and preach to them what other people thought.”

The Tigers know what they have returning and the circumstances that led to a 2-9 overall record and 1-8 in the MIAA.

With six starters on both offense and defense and the realization that they were competitive in some games despite playing half the season without their starting quarterback, the Tigers know they are capable of making a turnaround.

In fact, all they have to do is look at their conference opener in which they beat Washburn 17-7 and started the season 2-1.

It was rough going the rest of the way, partly because Fort Hays State lost quarterback Mike Garrison in the fifth game of the year, a 27-7 loss to Truman.

The Tigers showed their grit the very next week, losing 31-28 at Missouri Western despite serious quarterback issues.

“We were already without our No. 2,” Verdugo said. “We wound up playing our emergency No. 3 quarterback for about six weeks. I think they know that limited us a little bit.

“Right now we have very good depth across the board. We are pretty comfortable where we are right now.”

And that’s why there is no reason for Verdugo to dwell on last season and play the what-if game.

The Tigers showed their character in the final two weeks of the season, losing 27-14 at Nebraska-Omaha and 24-21 at home against Central Missouri.

By being competitive against winning programs Fort Hays showed it wasn’t going to give up on the season, no matter what adversity the Tigers faced.

Two weeks into practice, Verdugo likes where his team stands in 2009.

“We’ve stayed pretty healthy for the most part,” he said. “The guy (Garrison) who was hurt for more than half the season is back and healthy. We’ve been able to add a couple of quality guys to the quarterback position. We feel like we are in good shape.

“We got to go out and play solid football. We got to go out and play to win.”

The Tigers are now getting ready for their season-opener Aug. 29 at Western (Colo.) State.

Obviously, Fort Hays State wants to start the season well in its two non-conference games.

And when the MIAA schedule begins Sept. 12, Verdugo believes he’s added enough quality depth the handle the rigors of a physical conference.

“You are going to get nicked up during the year,” he said. “We all have the No. 2 guy at each position. It comes down to the kind of quality you have at the back-up spots.”

Offensive player to watch: Senior quarterback Mike Garrison saw action in seven games, throwing for 895 yards and six touchdowns. Because of his experience, the Tigers need him to stay healthy.

Defensive player to watch: Defensive back C.J. Lovett picked off three passes last year and returned one 77 yards for a touchdown. He also returned punts, averaging 13.1 yards per return and returning one punt for a touchdown. Lovett made All-MIAA First Team.

Key game: Fort Hays State opens conference play at home on Sept. 12 against Missouri Western. The Tigers can gain a lot of confidence if they can beat a team that is a regular participant in postseason play.

Up next: Wednesday’s weekly feature.