Opening Notes
•     The Washburn Ichabods will travel to Warrensburg, Mo., to face the University of Central Missouri Mules in the first meeting between the two schools since Nov. 12, 2011 in Topeka.
•    The Ichabods are coming off a 27-24 overtime win against Fort Hays State while the Mules picked up a 34-31 overtime win over Missouri Southern in Joplin last time out.
•    The Ichabods are 2-3 this season while the Mules are 3-2 and have won their last two games with wins over Missouri Southern and Nebraska-Kearney.

 'Bods and Ends
•    The game will be the first since a 39-21 Mules' win in Topeka on Nov. 12, 2011.
•     The Ichabods are making their second-straight trip to Warrensburg, but the first since a 55-45 loss on Sept. 25, 2010.
•     Washburn has lost four of its last five games played in Warrensburg.
•    The overtime game against Fort Hays State was the first for the Ichabods since a 35-34 win over Pitt State in Pittsburg on Oct. 16, 2010.
•    It was the first one in Topeka for the Ichabods since a 35-34 win over Pittsburg State on Oct. 1, 2005.
•     The 43 rushing attempts and three rushing touchdowns against Fort Hays State was a season-high.
•    The Ichabods averaged 9.2 yards per pass against the Tigers.
•    The Ichabods had their lowest third down conversion rate of the season against Fort Hays State converting only 5 of 16 attempts including an 0 of 3 rate in the fourth quarter.
•    The 138 receiving yards by Jordan Hart against Fort Hays State was an Ichabod high for the season.
•    Mark Kolmer's three tackles for loss against Fort Hays State was an individual high for the Ichabods this season.
•    Ichabod senior Vershon Moore rushed for more than 100 yards in the second straight game rushing for 108 against the Tigers on the heels of running for 109 yards against Missouri Southern.
•    The six catches for Jordan Hart against Fort Hays State was a career-high.
•    Zeke Palmer is averaging 309 yards in total offense a game starting the last two contests at quarterback for Washburn.
•    Alec Steuber tied a career-high with five tackles against Fort Hays State.
•    True freshmen Bob Marco, who started at right guard the last three games, along with defensive end Kastin Spencer, linebacker Austin Tillman, defensive tackle Cody Zeller and Zeke Palmer have all seen action this season.
•     Eighty-seven of Washburn's opponents 159 points (55 percent) have come off turnovers. Washburn has scored nine points of its 96 off opponents miscues (9 percent).
•    The Ichabods are 11 of 23 in the redzone this season scoring nine touchdowns with two field goals totaling 69 scoring 48 percent of the time inside their opponent's 20 yard line. The Ichabods have turned the ball over four times on downs and have had two interceptions and two fumbles with two missed field goals.
•    Opponents have scored 15 of 20 times inside the redzone against Washburn for a 75 percent scoring rate recording 104 points with 15 touchdowns with two missed field goals and turning the ball over on downs three times.

 Coaching Staffs
Ichabod head coach Craig Schurig . . .
•     was named head coach of the Ichabod football program Dec. 28, 2001. 
•     is 89-54 (.602) in his 13th season as the Ichabod head coach. 
•     is 71-44 (.630) against the MIAA. 
•     has led the Ichabods to three NCAA Playoff appearances and two bowl appearance championships.
•     led the Ichabods to the 2005 MIAA regular season outright championship. 
•     has recorded ten-straight winning seasons for the first time in the program's history. 
•     led the Ichabods to the program's first 10-win season and their first NCAA or NAIA playoff game victory in school history with a win over Abilene Christian during the 2011 season.
•     is Washburn's all-time winningest coach with 89 wins.
•     is 3-7 against Central Missouri.

Central Missouri head coach Jim Svoboda . . . 
•     has a record of 34-17 (.660) in his fifth season leading the Mules.
•     is in sixth place on Central Missouri's career wins list with 34.
•     UCM posted the second most wins in a two-year span in school history in Svoboda's first two seasons.
•     has led the Mules to the postseason in each of Svoboda's first two seasons. UCM made
    the NCAA-II Playoffs in year one under Svoboda and earned a bid to the Kanza Bowl in his
    second season. It is just the second time in school history that Mules Football has made back-to-
    back postseason appearances.
•     UCM hosted the first ever playoff game in school history and won the school's first two playoff games in Svoboda's first season in 2010.
•     teams have set or tied 68 school offensive records and 20 MIAA offensive records during Svoboda's tenure.
•     is 2-0 against Washburn.

 Ichabod Offensive Notes
•     Senior running back Vershon Moore needs 627 rushing yards to become the all-time leader at Washburn …  has also rushed for 30 touchdowns and has two of the top three single-game totals in school history … he has rushed for 2,789 yards in his career … he has nine 100-yard rushing games… his seven receptions against Missouri Southern was a career high.
•     Junior running back Sean McPherson has rushed for 1,097 yards in his career going over the 1,000-yard mark against Nebraska-Kearney.
•     Senior DaJuan Beard became the 12th Ichabod to catch at least 100 passes and he now has 147 catches which is fourth all-time at Washburn … his 2,170 yards is fifth all-time at well at Washburn … he needs four catches to move into third on the all-time receiving chart to pass Mike Odupitan (2002-05).
•     Senior Dylan Ready has played in 37 games on the offensive line and has started at left tackle, left guard and right tackle on the offensive line.
•    Junior Connor Crimmins has appeared in 27 games adding 32 catches for 472 yards … Crimmins, who also plays baseball for the Ichabods, is switching from No. 14 to No. 19 to honor former Ichabod baseball coach Steve Anson … his seven receptions and 90 receiving yards were career-highs against Lindenwood.
•     Junior Cameron Brown is moving back into the starting line up this season at center after starting 11 games at right guard in 2012. 
•     Junior Sam Eickhoff has started 11 career games at fullback appearing in 21 games.
•     Junior wide receiver Jordan Hart is back after playing in parts of five games last season … he has 46 catches for 831 yards and eight touchdowns in his career and has averaged 18.1 yards per reception.
•     Sophomore running back Donnie Lockhart III received a medical redshirt after recording 26 carries for 120 yards and three touchdowns last season … this season he has played in three games.
•     Junior Jordon McCallister is starting at left guard and made three starts in 2013 appearing in nine games overall.
•     Sophomore Michael Miller was an honorable mention all-MIAA pick after starting 11 games at left guard … this season he is moving to right tackle making five starts.
•    Senior Matt Buhler had a career-high four catches for a career-high 58 yards against Lindenwood … this season he has eight catches for 95 yards.
•     Senior Brad Gourley had a career-long 87-yard reception for a touchdown against Nebraska-Kearney. He has 29 receptions for 393 yards and three scores playing in 25 games.
•     Senior quarterback Mitch Buhler has made 23 starts at Washburn passing for 4,486 career yards and 45 touchdowns … his 45 TD passes are fourth all-time at Washburn and his 343 career completions are sixth.

 Ichabod Defensive Notes
•     Senior safety Calvin Kenney has played in 40 games making 34 starts tallying 210 tackles with 118 solo stops with four interceptions … he had a career-high 14 tackles against Missouri Southern and he is the first Ichabod since Bryce Atagi to have at least 10 tackles in three straight games.
•     Sophomore defensive end Akhmad Abdul-Razzaq moves into a starting defensive end position after recording 23 tackles last season appearing in 11 games last season … this season he has recorded 49 tackles with a career-high 10 tackles coming against Nebraska-Kearney.
•     Senior defensive tackle Bryan Dale has appeared in 38 games … he has recorded 45 career tackles.
•     Senior defensive end Alex Dowty has appeared in 29 games with 46 tackles including 14 tackles for loss.
•     Senior defensive tackle Tyler Ewy has made 18 career starts including 11 in 2013 … overall he has appeared in 33 games with 66 tackles and 9.5 career tackles for loss … he had a career-high seven tackles against Missouri Southern on Sept. 27.
•     Sophomore defensive back Zach Franklin had made seven starts appearing in 16 games at Washburn … the nine tackles against Lindenwood was a career-high and his 98 all-purpose yards against Missouri Southern was a career high.
•     Sophomore linebacker Cody Heiman is back to the defensive side of the ball after rushing for 426 yards and 91 carries with six touchdowns in 2013 … his nine tackles against Lindenwood was a career-high … overall he has played in 18 games making seven starts gaining 48 tackles with 29 solo stops.
•     Senior defensive back Dwayne Joseph has made 11 starts recording 60 tackles with 43 solo stops and one interception in his career.
•     Junior linebacker Mark Kolmer is another Ichabod moving from offense to defense as he's played in 27 career games with ten starts adding 52 tackles … he made six starts at fullback in 2013 … his nine tackles against Fort Hays State was a career high and he recorded his first career interception against Nebraska-Kearney returning it seven yards setting up the game-winning field goal.
•     Junior safety Jaime Myers has made 12 starts playing in 27 games with 76 tackles and three interceptions … he has 1,775 career all-purpose yards averaging 54.6 per game.
•     Junior safety Shay Wooten moves into a starting safety role and has recorded 92 career tackles appearing in 27 games … he had a career-high 12 tackles against Missouri Western last season.
•    Redshirt freshman Peter Pfannenstiel has started the last four games at safety and has recorded 23 tackles with 13 solo stops and a pass break up.

 Ichabod Special Team Notes
•     Sophomore Justin Linn returns after being honored as a first team all-MIAA kicker in 2013 … he was a preseason all-American selection for this season by D2Football.com … Linn is 2 of 5 this season with a season-long of 34 … his 65 PATs rank ninth all-time at Washburn and his 16 career field goals ranks eighth.
•     Senior Aaron Hummert has 157 punts for 6,343 yards averaging 40.4 yards per punt playing in 40 career games … his 40.4 career punting average second in school history and his 6,343 yards is seventh all-time … had a career-long run of 17 yards on a fourth down against Pittsburg State for a first down.

 Know the Foe
•     The Mules are 3-2 this season and have won their last two games coming off a 34-31 come-from-behind overtime win over Missouri Southern after trailing by as many as 15 beginning the fourth quarter.
•    LaVance Taylor leads the Mules with 138.2 yards per game and nine touchdowns averaging 8.2 yards per carry.
•    Hayden Hawk has completed 57 percent of his passes going 87 of 170 with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions passing for 236 yards per game.
•    Taylor also leads the team with 18 receptions for 167 yards and a touchdown receiving.
•    Defensively, Ricky Spratley leads the team with 60 tackles adding 4.5 tackles for loss with an interception.
•    The Mules have picked off six passes this season and have recorded 12 tackles and 43 tackles for loss.
•    Overall they have outscored their opponent 61 to 30 in the fourth quarter of games this season while averaging 414 yards per game and allowing 425.6 yards per game of total offense.

 Series Notes with Central Missouri
First Meeting: WU 6-0 (09/27/1902) in Topeka
Last Meeting: UCM 39-21 (11/12/2011) in Topeka
Last WU win: 36-21 (09/26/2009) in Topeka
Last UCM win: 39-21 (11/12/2011) in Topeka
Largest WU win: 34-0 (09/28/1963) in Topeka
Largest UCM win:37-0 (11/07/1998) in Topeka 

 Last Meeting with Central Missouri
(11/12/2011) TOPEKA, Kan. -- The No. 6-ranked Washburn Ichabods fell behind 14-0 and could never recover in a 39-21 loss to Central Missouri. 
The Mules (8-3, 6-3 MIAA) scored on their first two drives of the game jumping out to the early lead. UCM's first score was on a Tommy Corwin 1-yard plunge with 9:02 to go in the opening dive and after a Washburn turnover on downs, Corwin led the Mules on a 4-play, 40-yard drive capped by a pass to LaVance Taylor for 12 yards putting UCM up 14-0.
The Ichabods would cut the lead to 7 at 14-7 when Dane Simoneau hit DeJuan Beard on a 4th and 21 from the Central Missouri 26 for a touchdown with 5:14 remaining in the first half.
The Mules responded with an 81-yard drive covering 13 plays when Corwin hit Jamar Howard for an 18-yard strike putting UCM up 20-7 with 2:21 left in the half.
The Mules would score the first points of the second half when Corwin hit David Cannon for a 12-yard pass adding to the Mules' 27-7 lead. The Ichabods returned serve as Simoneau hooked up with Beard for a 42-yard touchdown pass pulling the Ichabods back within 13 at 27-14 with 5:24 remaining in the third quarter.
However the Mules would stretch their lead back to 19 after Camren Torneden scored from 1-yard out with 34 seconds remaining staking Central Missouri to a 33-14 lead.
On the Ichabods' ensuing drive, Simoneau was picked off and off a tipped ball, Alexis Reedus returned an interception 49 yards for the score and a 39-14 Central Missouri lead after the Mules missed their second extra point attempt of the afternoon.
Simoneau threw his third touchdown pass of the day to Tore Hurst, this time on a 7-yard pass with 12:53 remaining wrapping up the scoring for both teams at the 39-21 win for the Mules.
Simoneau finished with 337 yards passing on 29 of 50 with the three scores. Ronnell Garner had seven catches for 102 yards while Beard finished with six catches for 103 yards and the two scores. Justin Cooper had 46 yards on 11 carries.
Corwin was 28 of 38 passing with three scores for 314 yards. Taylor Dyer led the Mules with six catches with 122 yards while Taylor had 93 yards rushing for 14 carries.
Jahmil Taylor and Casey Curran each had 12 tackles with 8 solo stops each to lead the Ichabods.
Patrick Lewis had eight tackles along with Devin King to lead the Mules.
The Mules finished with 29 first downs recording 481 yards of total offense while Washburn had 20 first downs and 385 yards of total offense. The Ichabods were limited to a season-low 48 yards on the ground.

 Last time out for Central Missouri
(10/4/2014)JOPLIN, Mo. -- Central Missouri rallied from a 31-16 fourth quarter deficit to beat Missouri Southern 34-31 in overtime on Saturday afternoon at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. The Mules forced an MSSU turnover in overtime and Will Mondragon booted a 33-yard field goal for the win.
The Lions (2-3, 2-3 MIAA) took an early 14-0 lead as they controlled the line of scrimmage and time of possession in the first half. Giresse Forchu had touchdown runs of 12 and 22 to stake Missouri Southern to the early lead.
The Mules (3-2, 3-2 MIAA) got back into the game late in the first quarter when LaVance Taylor rushed right, cut back left and out-ran the Lion defenders 62 yards to the end zone to pull UCM within 14-7. UCM forced a three and out on the next MSSU possession and on the punt, Lion punter Kyle Jaski dropped the ball and was tackled at his own 15. On the very next play, Hayden Hawk hit Cullen Rosine on a crossing pattern for an easy 15-yard touchdown. The PAT was no good and UCM trailed 14-13.
The Lions took their next possession 50 yards in nine plays and capped it off with a Brock Renken 39 yard field goal to extend their lead to 17-13.
The Mules got the ball back and drove deep into Lion territory, but Hawk's pass on second and 13 was intercepted to halt the drive. MSSU marched right down the field and Michael Nelson punched it in from four yards out and the Lions led 24-13.
The Mules turned the ball over on their next possession giving Missouri Southern the ball at the UCM 37 with just over a minute left in the half. The Mule defense held thought and forced a 52-yard field goal attempt that sailed wide left and UCM trailed 24-13 at halftime.
UCM took the opening drive of the second half and marched down to the Southern 29, but Hawk was intercepted by Michael Burks at the two-yard line and the Lions took over. Missouri Southern gave it right back, however, as Nelson fumbled and Connor Smith recovered at the Lion 40 yard line.
The Mules cashed in on the turnover and Mondragon booted a 27-yard field goal to pull UCM within 24-16.
Missouri Southern quickly added to their lead as they drove 58 yards in 10 plays to add another touchdown, a two-yard plunge by Forchu, to lead 31-16 with just under a minute left in the third quarter. The Lions converted three third downs on the drive to extend their advantage.
The teams traded punts to start the fourth quarter before UCM got the ball back on the Missouri Southern 45 yard line after a 17 yard punt return by Jaylen Zachery. UCM went all 45 yards in 10 plays, capped by a Hawk two-yard scramble for a touchdown. On the PAT the Mules were whistled for a false start and on the second try Garrett Fugate ran it in for a two-point conversion to cut the deficit to seven at 31-24 with 8:13 to play in the game.
The UCM defense, which had been swarming late in the game, forced a three and out and after a 49-yard punt the Mules took over at their own 37 with 6:36 to play in the game. Taylore had runs of 13 and 12 and then a pass reception of 14 yards to give the Mules a first down at the Lion 24. Following a Ray Harris six-yard gain, Hawk hit Kyle Echols for an 18-yard score and UCM tied the game at 31-all.
Both teams had possessions late with a chance to win, but neither could muster any points and the game went to overtime.
The Lions went on offense first and after converting a third and seven from the 22, they faced a third and goal at the 10-yard line. MSSU fumbled the ball and Kadarius Green recovered to keep the Lions off the scoreboard.
The Mules had rushes of six, one and two yards on their offensive possession setting up a 33-yard field goal attempt. Mondragon drilled the kick right down the middle and the Mules were victorious, 34-31.
It was the first overtime game for UCM during the Jim Svoboda era and the first since 2007.
UCM finished with 342 yards of total offense compared to 392 for Missouri Southern. The Mules rushed for 140 yards and passed for 202, while the Lions ran for 305 and passed for 87.
Taylor finished the day with 120 yards rushing on 18 carries with a touchdown. He also added four receptions for 46 yards. Hawk was 20-of-33 for 202 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also added a rushing score.
Ricky Spratley led the Mule defense with a career-high 19 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack. Smith had 13 tackles with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery and Alex Perlin also had 13 tackles.
Scott Lathrop led MSSU with 93 yards on 18 carries. Forchu had 89 yards on the ground and three scoring runs. Lathrop was 6-of-11 passing for 87 yards. Breon Matlock led the Lion defense with nine tackles.

 Last time out for Washburn
(10/4/2014) TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn's Vershon Moore scored on a 15-yard run in the first overtime period propelling the Ichabods to a 27-24 overtime victory over Fort Hays State on Saturday in Yager Stadium. Washburn returns to action at Central Missouri on Oct. 11.
Moore's score wrapped up a wild overtime as the Ichabods took what they thought was a winning touchdown when Zeke Palmer hit DaJuan Beard in the back of the end zone, but was ruled out returning the football back to the 15-yard line setting up the final play of the game. The Tigers took a 24-21 lead in overtime scoring on their first drive when Drew O'Brien hit a 20-yard field goal.
The Tigers (3-2, 3-2 MIAA) jumped out to a 7-0 lead on their first possession of the game driving 75 yards in 10 plays as Edward Smith scored from 16 yards out with 10:03 to play in the first quarter. Washburn (2-3, 2-3 MIAA) tied the score two drives later when Sean McPherson scored from 1-yard out after a 72-yard pass play from Palmer to Jordan Hart set up the score.
However the Tigers rolled back on the next series scoreing on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Treveon Albert to Ed Williams with 3:06 to play in the first quarter as neither team scored in the second quarter as Fot Hays State took a 14-7 lead into the break.
In the third quarter, the teams traded four drvies before Washburn knotted the score at 14 with 6:36 to play in the quarter when Palmer hit Brad Gourley on a 20-yard touchdown pass. A bad snap over the Fort Hays State punter set up the Ichabods at the FHSU 24 yard line.
After stopping the Tigers on the Washburn 1-yard line, the Ichabods marched 99-yards in 12 plays when Moore scored from 7-yard out with 13:36 to play in the game putting Washburn up 21-14.
Fort Hays tied the score at 14 taking advantage of an Ichabod turnover and tied the score at 21 when Albert hit Smith with 55 seconds to play in regulation leading to the overtime Ichabod victory.
Palmer finished with 275 passing completing 17 of 30 passes with a touchdown and Hart had six catches for 138 yards. Moore finished with 21 carries for 108 yards and two scores in the game.
For the Tigers, Albert had 93 yards on the ground on 18 carries while passing for 217 yards completing 20 of 32 attempts with two scores. Williams had six catches for 121 yards and one score.
Calvin Kenney had 10 tackles with eight solo stops and two tackles for loss. As a team the Ichabods had 11 tackles for loss for 30 yards. Mark Kolmer had nine tackles including three tackles for loss for six yards. 

 Washburn Football History
Washburn is 527-560-44 (.480) in the 124th year of Ichabod football. 

 A win for Washburn over Central Missouri would . . .
• lift the Ichabods to 527-560-44 in their football history.
• snap the Mules' two-game winning streak over the Ichabods.
• be the first win over the Mules since a 36-21 win on Sept. 26, 2009 in Topeka.
• be the first win over the Mules in Warrensburg since a 14-10 win on Sept. 16, 2006.
• put the Ichabods' all-time series record with the Mules at 19-23-2.

 A loss for Washburn to Central Missouri would . . .
• drop the Ichabods to 527-561-44 in their football history.
• be the third-straight win over the Ichabods for the Mules.
• drop the Ichabods to 2-4 overall and 2-4 in the MIAA.
• be the Ichabods' third-straight loss to the Mules in Warrensburg.

 Ichabods in the National Polls
WACO, Texas -- The Ichabods fell did not receive any votes this week after the loss to Lindenwood after receiving votes in the preseason poll released on Aug. 18.
Under head coach Craig Schurig, the Ichabods have been ranked or have received votes in the AFCA poll 52 times and have been ranked in the top 10 15 times. Washburn has received votes in or been ranked in 10-consecutive AFCA preseason polls.

 Up Next
Washburn will then come back to Yager Stadium to host Missouri Western on Oct. 18 for homecoming festivities.