Game Facts Date:     Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 Time: 1 p.m. CST Location: Topeka, Kan. Stadium: Yager Stadium (7,200) Series History: WU leads 37-23-3 Series Note: WU has won 3 of last 4 meetings

Washburn (4-1, 2-1 MIAA) Polls 17th in AFCA Poll 18th in d2football.com Poll Leaders Rushing: Vershon Moore 69 att/316 yds/4 TD/62.0 ypg Passing: Dane Simoneau 71-115-3/1113 yds/13 TD/226.6 ypg Receiving: Brad Cole 13 rec./247 yds/5 TD/49.4 ypg Tackles: Casey Curran 31 TT / 1.5 TFL / 1 INT

Fort Hays State (4-1, 2-1 MIAA) RV in AFCA Poll NR in d2football.com Poll Leaders Rushing: James Walker 95 att/475 yds/5 TD/95.0 ypg Passing: Mike Garrison 93-147-2/1207 yds/8 TD/241.4 ypg Receiving: O.J. Murdock 14 rec./369 yds/4 TD/92.2 ypg Tackles: Gordon Butler 41 TT/ 1.5 TFL / 3 BU

Radio: AM 580 WIBW Web Stream Live Stats: wusports.com Live Video: Through b2tvlive.com Washburn Football Page Roster Statistics Schedule Game Notes Fort Hays State Football Page Roster Statistics Schedule Game Notes

Setting the scene. . .
The No. 17-ranked Washburn Ichabods, coming off a 36-21 win over then-No. 11 Central Missouri, will play host to Fort Hays State on Oct. 3 in Yager Stadium at 1 p.m. TheTigers topped Fort Hays State last time out 40-20 at home. Both teams enter the contest with identical 4-1, 2-1 MIAA records.

Ichabods on Radio . . .
The game will be broadcast live on WIBW AM 580. The game can also be heard on the internet at www.wusports.com by following the “Live Audio” link under football. Bruce Steinbrock will be the play-by-play voice of the Ichabods and former WU quarterback Mark Elliott will be the color analyst. Jan Lunsford will provide sideline insight for listeners on the field.

The Coaches . . .
Washburn head football coach Craig Schurig was named head coach of the Ichabod football program Dec. 28, 2001. Schurig is 50-35 (.575) in his eighth season as the Ichabod head coach and he is 38-28 (.580) against the MIAA. He has led the Ichabods to two NCAA Playoff appearances in the last four seasons and to the 2005 MIAA Championship. Schurig is 3-2 against the Tigers and 2-0 in games played in Topeka.
Fort Hays State head coach Kevin Verdugo has an 13-35 record in his career at Fort Hays State. This is his fifth season as head coach of the Tigers. He is 1-2 against the Ichabods.

Last time out for the Ichabods . . .
(Sept. 26, 2009) TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn Ichabods knocked off Central Missouri 36-21 on Family Day in Yager Stadium improving to 4-1 on the season and 2-1 in the MIAA. The Mules drop to the same record.
The Ichabods led from start to finish as they scored on a 21-yard pass from Dane Simoneau to Brody Schuler to cap a 11-play, 66-yard drive. After the Ichabods forced a three-and-out, Washburn's Ryan Mertz pulled down a 74-yard reception from Simoneau over the middle to put Washburn up 13-0 after the extra point attempt was missed.
The Ichabods wrapped up the scoring in the first half after Simoneau dropped back to pass and with no one open, he tucked the ball and ran up the middle for 19 yards capping a five-play, 57-yard drive.
Washburn recorded 312 yards of total offense in the first half with 213 coming through the air, while the Ichabod defense held Central to 136 yards.
After the break, the Mules scored on the opening drive 54 yards in eight plays as Anthony Stewart rushed four yards to cut the Ichabod lead to 20-7.
On the ensuing possession, the Ichabods were forced to punt and Austin Hills' 51-yard effort was fumbled by Randy Shepherd and recovered by Casey Curran at the Central Missouri 18. Six plays later, Vershon Moore, carried the ball to paydirt putting the Ichabods up 26-7.
On the Mules' next possession, the Ichabods Zach Watkins forced a fumble on Eric Czerniewski which was recovered by Ben Bianchino at the Washburn setting up the Ichabods at the Washburn 40.
With the Ichabods facing a third and 30 from their own 40, Cameron Kasel's pass to Moore was complete and Moore carried the ball to the Central Missouri 47 before Deonte Ball forced a fumble which popped into the arms of Mertz who continued on the play to the end zone putting the Ichabods up 33 to 7 with 3:08 to play in third quarter.
Central Missouri's Stewart scored his second touchdown of the afternoon on a 1-yard run completing an 8-play, 79-yard drive.
The Ichabods' Steve Ivanisevic connected on a 29-yard field goal with 5:21 to go in the game. It was his eighth field goal of the season.
Central Missouri wrapped up the scoring with a Zain Gower touchdown with nine seconds to go in the game.
Moore and Justin Cooper each had 55 yards rushing. Simoneau finished 14 of 25 passing for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Mertz finished with 165 yards in receptions and two scores on five catches.
Watkins led the Ichabod defense with 13 tackles including nine solo stops with two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Curran recorded 10 tackles with nine solo tackles and a fumble recovery.
Czerniewski was 32 of 52 for 283 yards. The 32 completions was a school record for the Mules.

About Fort Hays State . . .
Fort Hays State is 4-1 on the year, 2-1 in the MIAA. The Tigers lead the MIAA and the nation in punt returns with an average return of 34.5 yards with three touchdowns.
They are third in the league and in the top ten nationally in kick returns at 23.7 yards per return and two touchdowns.
Five of FHSU's 19 touchdowns on the season have come on special teams. The Tigers rank seventh in the MIAA in scoring defense allowing 29.4 points per game.
Junior running back James Walker leads the MIAA in rushing yards per game averaging 95.0 per contest with five touchdowns. He is averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
Senior quarterback Mike Garrison is averaging 241.4 yards per game through the air with eight touchdowns. He has completed 93 of 147 attempts with two interceptions while leading the MIAA in total offense with 265.8 yards per game rushing for 122 total yards on the season.
Senior defensive back/return specialist is averaging 44.1 yards per punt return with three touchdowns on seven attempts. He is third in the MIAA in kickoff return average with a 32.2 yard average with one touchdown return. He is also fifth in the MIAA in all purpose yards averaging 113.4 yards per game.

Last time out for the Tigers . . .
(Sept. 26, 2009) HAYS, Kan. -- The Tiger football team moved to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the MIAA with a 40-20 win over Emporia State for Homecoming at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays. The Tigers are out to their first 4-1 start since the 2000 season. The win helped the Tigers move into a third-place tie in the conference standings after the third week of conference play.
The Tigers jumped out to a 10-0 lead before ESU scored their first touchdown with 11:42 remaining in the second quarter. The Tigers would score the final 14 points of the first half to take a 24-6 lead into halftime.
The Tigers extended their lead to 31-6 when Garrett Nikkel recovered a fumble forced in the endzone by Charlie Carr early in the third quarter. After an ESU touchdown, the Tigers would force a safety on an illegal forward pass by the Hornets in their own endzone, making the score 33-14 with 7:10 remaining in the third quarter.
Michael Walker delivered the knock out punch for the Tigers when he intercepted a pass and took it 36 yards for another Tiger touchdown with 7:25 remaining in the game. That put the Tigers up 40-20, the eventual final. It was the first interception for the Tigers this season.
Mike Garrison finished the game 12-of-22 on passes for 202 yards and one touchdown. O.J. Murdock hauled in the only touchdown pass of the game for FHSU, a 52-yarder. Murdock had one touchdown reception in each of the last four games. James Walker led FHSU in rushing with 103 yards and two touchdowns.
Seth Blackwell was the leading tackler for FHSU with 11, followed by Gordon Butler and Nick Dreitz each with nine.
The Tigers and Hornets played in front of 5,470 people, the largest home crowd since the 1996 season when 5,986 people saw Fort Hays State defeat Mesa State.

Series Notes . . .
Saturday's meeting is the 64th meeting between the Ichabods and the Tigers. The Ichabods lead the all-time series 37-23-3. The Ichabods have won nine of the last 15 meetings and two of the last three contests. Fort Hays State halted a three-game winning streak by the Ichabods last season in Hays on Sept. 13 by a score of 17-7.
The largest victory margin for the Ichabods is 46 points set in a 46-0 win on Nov. 9, 1963 in Topeka. The largest Tiger's win came on Oct. 14, 1967 in a 35-0 win over the Ichabods in Topeka. Since 1961, the Ichabods are 13-7 and have won the last five games played in Topeka. The last win for the Tigers in Topeka was on Oct. 25, 1985 in a 30-0 win.
Series Record: WU leads 37-23-3
First Meeting: WU 7-6 in 1919
Last Meeting: FHSU 17-7 (9/13/08) in Hays
Last WU win: 28-10 (9/15/07) in Topeka
Last FHSU win: 17-7 (9/13/08) in Hays
Largest WU win: 46-0 (11/9/63) in Topeka
Largest FSHU win: 35-0 (10/14/67) in Topeka

Last Meeting with the Tigers . . .
(Sept. 13, 2008) HAYS, Kan. -- The No. 18 Washburn Ichabods fell 17-7 to the Fort Hays State Tigers. With the loss, the Ichabods fall to 2-1 on the season dropping their MIAA opener dropping to 0-1.
The Tigers scored first in the game as Jacobb Irving took a reverse 88-yards around the right side putting FHSU up 7-0 after the Ichabods had pinned the Tigers at their own 4-yard line after a Washburn punt. Late in the second quarter after the Ichabod defense forced the Tigers to punt, the Ichabods fumbled the return setting the Tigers up on the Washburn 11-yard line. Three plays later, the Tigers punched it in the end zone for their second score as Anthony Dickson picked up a 7-yard reception from Mike Garrison putting the Tigers up 14-0.
In the half, the Ichabods picked up 158 yards of offense while the Tigers recorded 182 with 88 coming on one play.
The Ichabods got on the board as Brandon Walker scored from 2-yards out capping a 9-yard drive which was set up by the Washburn defense after Zach Watkins intercepted a Garrison pass at the 16 and returned it seven yards.
With the Ichabods trailing 14-7, Walker ripped off a 30-yard run around the right side, but a holding penalty wiped out the score and on the next play Allen Walker picked off a Jake Iverson pass. After the Ichabod defense forced the Tigers into a three and out, Nathan Rausa nailed a 48-yard field goal with 7:34 to go in the game.
The Ichabods were limited to 23 yards on their next 15 plays as time ran out on the Ichabods.
Walker finished with 60 yards rushing for the Ichabods and Iverson was 16 of 42 for 202 yards with one interception. Joe Hastings had six catches for a career-high 76 yards.
Bruce Ringwood had 10 tackles as did Ray Trice who added two sacks for 13 yards, a tackle for 16 lost yards and a fumble recovery.
The Ichabod defense held the Tigers to 190 total offensive yards including limiting Fort Hays State to eight yards in the second half. Washburn had 16 first downs compared to 10 for the Tigers while holding FHSU to 46 yards of passing in the game.

Washburn Football History . . .
Washburn is 493-543-44 in the 119th year of Ichabod football.

A win for Washburn would . . .
lift the Ichabods to 493-543-44 in their football history … move the Ichabods to 5-1 on the season and 3-1 in the MIAA … be the sixth straight over the Tigers in Topeka …

A loss for Washburn would . . .
drop the Ichabods to 493-544-44 in their football history … drop the Ichabods to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in MIAA play … snap a five-game losing streak in Topeka for the Tigers as it would be their first win since Oct. 25, 1985 in a 30-0 win over Washburn.

The Ichabods in the National Polls . . .
Sept. 29 -- The Washburn Ichabods climbed back into the polls after they knocked off No. 11 Central Missouri 36-21 last time out. The No. 17 ranking is the highest the Ichabods have been tabbed since the second regular season poll of the 2008 season when they were ranked No. 18.

Win over Central Missouri revisited . . . the win
lifted the Ichabods to 493-543-44 in their football history … moved the Ichabods to 4-1 on the season and 2-1 in the MIAA … snapped a two-game losing streak to the Mules … was the first win over the Mules in Topeka since Sept. 10, 2005 in a 42-27 win … was Craig Schurig's 50th win on the Washburn sidelines.

Bods and Ends . . .
Watkins climbing tackle charts - Ichabod senior linebacker Zach Watkins has a career tackle total of 403, which is second on the all-time Washburn chart. Watkins trails Grant Gould (2002-05) who had 459 career tackles on the top of the charts. Watkins' 212 career assisted tackles is second all-time at Washburn trailing Gould's 254. Watkins' 191 solo tackles for his career is third all-time at Washburn trailing Gould's 205.

A one-sided coin?? - The Ichabods won the opening coin toss of the 2009 season against Colorado Mines and Missouri Western and deferred. The Ichabods lost the coin toss with New Mexico Highlands and Missouri Southern and Central Missouri. Washburn was 1-10 last season and a combined 3-13 over the last two seasons. The only coin flip the Ichabods won last season was against Pittsburg State and they deferred to the second half.

No need for paper or plastic - This season, the Ichabods have allowed only four sacks this season. The Ichabod offensive line allowed only 17 sacks last season including only three in the last three games against Northwest Missouri, Pittsburg State (which is when all three occurred) and Nebraska-Omaha.

Record Breaker - Eric Lawrence has recorded 39.5 tackles for loss for his career breaking the previous record of 37 held by Tony Scollieri (1994-97). With his 2.5 sacks against the Lions, Lawrence moved into fourth on the all-time sack chart with 18.0 sacks. The school record is 29.5. He needs three total sacks to move into second place on the all-time chart.

Quick Kicks - Washburn's Steve Ivanisevic has connected on all seven of his eight field goal attempts this season in his first five games in an Ichabod uniform. The most attempts a Craig Schurig-led team at Washburn has attempted in a season has been 13 in 2004 and the most field goals made under Schurig has been six in 2007 when the Ichabods were 6 of 10 that season.

Red Zone is Blue Zone for Ichabods - This season the Ichabods have scored in 28 of 29 trips inside their opponents redzone and have scored on their last 26 straight trips into the redzone with 19 touchdowns and seven field goals.

Second quarter has been owned by the Ichabods - This season, the Ichabods have outscored their opponents 112 to 17 in the second quarter including out bursts of 28-0 against Missouri Southern and 37 to 7 against New Mexico Highlands and 20-0 against Central Missouri. Washburn outscored Colorado Mines 13 to 0 in the second quarter of the opening game of the season.

Odd years lead to successful seasons - In both the 2005 and 2007 seasons, the Ichabods reached the NCAA playoffs and they are looking to continue that trend in 2009.

Ball Hawks - The Ichabods have recorded at least one interception in every game this season and they had a season-high three against Central Missouri last time out. The Ichabods have nine on the season, which lead the MIAA. Overall, the Ichabods have recorded at least one interception in the last seven games dating back to the 2008 season.

Ichabods in the national individual statistics . . .
Category    Name    National Rank    Statistic
Rushing    Justin Cooper    96    66.50         
Total Offense    Dane Simoneau    52    223.80
Interceptions    Pierre Desir    T-7    .80         
Punt Returns    Casey Curran    62    7.73    
Field Goals    Steve Ivanisevic    T-7    1.60    
Scoring    Steve Ivanisevic    24    10.20
Sacks    Eric Lawrence    T-55    .70         
    Ben Bianchino    T-80    .60
Tackles    Casey Curran    T-37    9.20         
    Zach Watkins    T-91    8.20
Tackles For Loss    Eric Lawrence    T-70    1.30
    Michael Krajicek    T-99    1.20

Ichabods in the national team statistics . . .
Category    National Rank    Statistic    National Leader
Rushing Offense    27     194.80    Brevard    
Passing Offense    26     264.80    Eastern N.M.
Total Offense    7     459.60    Eastern N.M.
Scoring Offense    1     46.60    Washburn
Rushing Defense    82     145.20    Abilene Christian
Pass Efficiency Defense    66     118.96    Midwestern St.
Total Defense    96     375.60    Catawba    
Scoring Defense    T-75     24.80    Midwestern St.
Net Punting    13     36.12    Northeastern St.
Punt Returns    76     8.86    Fort Hays St.
Kickoff Returns    106     18.33    Wayne St. (MI)
Turnover Margin    7     1.80    Shaw    
Pass Defense    T-101     230.40    Catawba    Passing
Efficiency    4     183.89    Charleston (WV)
Sacks    T-40     2.40    Northwest Mo. St.
Tackles For Loss    69     6.60    Catawba    
Sacks Allowed    9     .60    Ouachita Baptist

Schurig moving up the coaching ranks . . .
Eighth-year head coach Craig Schurig has compiled a 50-35 all-time record at Washburn. He passed Ernest Bearg for fourth on the all-time win chart. Next on the coaching win chart is Larry Elliott who recorded 58 wins in two stints as the Ichabods' head coach from 1974-78 and 1984-89.

Ichabods on Oct 3 . . .
Since the 1961 season, the date of when games were available in media guides, the Ichabods are 3-3 on Oct. 3.
1964 - W at Colorado Mines 16-0
1970 - W at William Jewell 27-6
1981 - L Missouri Southern 0-12
1987 - W at Missouri Southern 31-6
1992 - L at Missouri Southern 14-44
1998 - L Northwest Missouri 31-38

Saturday's Hall of Fame Introductions . . .
The Washburn athletics Hall of Fame has announced its 2009 class with the addition of four enshrinees who will be inducted on Oct. 3 and introduced at halftime of the football game between the Ichabods and the Fort Hays State Tigers. Joining the class of 118 are former football players Mark Brinker and Gary Yager, former basketball player Rob Reilly and as a meritorious service inductee, former Ichabod golfer Mark Heitz.
Mark Brinker • Football (1985-86)
Mark earned honorable mention All-American honors at free safety in 1986 and Academic All-American Honors the same season. He was a first team all-CSIC pick in 1986 and first team All-District 10 pick as well. He was a second team all-conference pick in 1985 and finished with 20 career pass break ups which would have ranked first at the end of his career. His 11 PBU's in 1985 would have been second on the single season chart. His top two Ichabod sporting memories include returning a touchdown in the fourth quarter to beat Emporia State as a junior in 1985 and reaching the NAIA national playoffs in 1986.
Rob Reilly • Basketball (1983-87)
Rob was an all-CSIC selection as a senior after earning honorable mention all-CSIC honors as a junior. He was a starting guard on the 1987 NAIA national championship team and led the team in assists and steals as a junior. His 253 career assists rank ninth all-time at Washburn and would have been fourth at the end of his career. He is fourth on the all-time steals chart at Washburn with 130 and that total was the most in school history when his career ended. He played in 125 games. He shared the school record for the most games played and started during a season with 39 during the Ichabods' run to the national championship. His top two Ichabod sporting memories were winning the national championship and then representing the United States at the World Sports Fair in Tokyo that same year.
Gary Yager • Football (1972-75)
Gary was a first team all-CSIC selection as a senior after wrapping up his career with 1,297 rushing yards which is currently 15th on the all-time Ichabod rushing chart and was the fifth-highest at the end of his career after playing only three seasons missing one with an injury. He has 12 career touchdowns and four 100-yard rushing games while leading the Ichabods in rushing as a junior and senior. He rushed for 784 yards as a senior with eight touchdowns and his rushing total would have been the third-highest single-season total in school history. He rushed for a career-high 135 yards on 28 carries against Pittsburg State as a senior. His junior season, he rushed for 439 yards on 119 carries with three touchdown. His 862 all-purpose yards led the Ichabods as a senior as did his 54 points scored on nine touchdowns. He led the team in rushing during the 1974 Boot Hill Bowl in a 21-7 win over Millikin with 57 yards rushing on 22 carries. The Boot Hill Bowl win is also his top Washburn sports memory.
Mark Heitz • Meritorious Service • Golf (1970-72)
Mark has been instrumental in the success of Washburn athletics and the entire University by sponsoring many endowed scholarships for Ichabod and Lady Blues student athletes and both his and his wife Lisa's names as well as endowed funds for the Washburn law school. He has served on the Washburn Board of Regents as well as the law school's board of governors and is currently a trustee of the Washburn Endowment Association. Heitz's support of building projects such as the Lee Arena and Whiting Field House renovation projects and the Falley Field renovation project has helped put the Washburn athletic facilities on the map as some of the best in the country. He was honored as the Ichabod Club Person of the Year in 1998 and graduated from Washburn in 1974 earning his juris doctorate in 1977.

Up next . . .
The Ichabods will be on the road on Oct. 10 when they travel to face Nebraska-Omaha at 1 p.m., in the first of three straight homecoming match ups for the Ichabods. Following the match up with the Mavericks, the Ichabods will return home to Yager Stadium to face Pittsburg State on Oct. 17 for Washburn's homecoming in a game which will be carried live on Cox 22 in Kansas with a kickoff time of 1:08 p.m. The Ichabods will then travel to Maryville, Mo., to face Northwest Missouri for the Bearcats' homecoming game at 1:30 p.m. The Ichabods will then return home for senior day festivities when they will entertain Truman State at 1 p.m. on Oct. 31. Washburn will wrap up the regular season at arch-rival Emporia State at 1 p.m. in the 106th edition of the Turnpike Tussle in Welch Stadium.