Setting the scene. . .
The Washburn Ichabods returns home after a 35-34 double overtime win at Pittsburg State dashing the Gorillas' weekend to host the No. 5-ranked Northwest Missouri Bearcats for part of Washburn's homecoming festivities. Washburn (4-3, 3-2 MIAA) is looking to continue its current three-game winning streak while snapping the Bearcats' 42-game MIAA record winning streak after their 42-28 win over Emporia State last weekend in Maryville. The Bearcats have not lost an MIAA game since the 2005 season when they fell to Pittsburg State on Oct. 29. The Ichabods topped the Bearcats that season en route to their first MIAA regular season title on the road on Oct. 8. Since that win over the Bearcats, Washburn has lost the last five by an average margin of 4.4 points, including a 22-19 overtime loss in Maryville last season.
Ichabods on Radio . . .
The game will be broadcast live on AM 580 WIBW. 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 58-40 (.588) in his ninth season as the Ichabod head coach and he is 45-31 (.579) against the MIAA. He has led the Ichabods to two NCAA Playoff appearances in the last five seasons and to the 2005 MIAA Championship as well as recording six straight winning seasons for the first time in the program's history. Schurig is 1-8 against Northwest Missouri.
Northwest Missouri head coach Mel Tjeerdsma is 235-81-4 in his 27th year as a head coach and 176-42 in 17 years at NWMSU. Tjeerdsma has guided the Bearcats to 11 MIAA championships, three NCAA national championships and seven title game appearances (including the last five) winning the title in 1998, 1999 and 2009.
Last time out for the Ichabods . . .
(Oct. 16, 2010) PITTSBURG, Kan. -- The Washburn Ichabod football team jumped out early and held on late as they won their third straight game in a 35-34 double overtime win in Carnie Smith Stadium. The win snapped a 17-game losing streak to the Gorillas in Pittsburg.
Washburn's
Joe Hastings 16-yard touchdown reception in the second overtime from
Dane Simoneau tied the score at 34-34. The Gorillas had the first possession of the second overtime and scored on Terreance Isaac's third touchdown of the day, but PSU's extra point was pulled to the left.
Steve Ivanisevic's extra point was final nail locking up the 35-34 win for the Ichabods (4-3, 3-2 MIAA).
Neither team scored in the first overtime period. The Ichabods drove to the Gorilla 2-yard line, but Simoneau's pass was intercepted off a deflection by Nate Dreiling. PSU had a chance to win the game in the first overtime period, but Jake Craig missed from 37-yards out.
The Ichabods racked up 28 first half points scoring 14 in the first 5:19 of the game.
Justin Cooper took the second snap of the game and dashed 70-yard on the first possession of the game. After the Ichabods forced a punt on the Gorilas' first possession with the ball,
Dane Simoneau capped a 7-play 50-yard drive hitting Tore Hurst on a crossing route for 22 yards staking Washburn to a 14-0 lead.
In the second quarter, the Gorillas (3-4, 1-4 MIAA) were forced into punt formation and PSU's Jared Witter was tackled after the snap by
Brody Schuler and fumbled. Schuler scooped up the ball and returned it six yards for an Ichabod touchdown with 6:16 remaining to play in the half.
The Gorillas scored on the ensuing possession as Terrance Isaac rushed 19 yards wrapping up an 8-play, 81-yard drive cutting the Ichabod lead to 21-7.
Washburn's DeJuan Beard scored the final points of the half on a 14-yard reception from Simoneau on the Ichabods' next drive putting Washburn up 28-7 right before the half.
The second half saw the Gorillas roll off 21 straight points to tied the score with 5:36 remaining on Terrance Isaac's second toucdown of regulation on a 32-yard run taking advantage of an Ichabod fumble by Simoneau.
The Gorillas had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but Craig's kick sailed to the left setting up the overtime period.
Cooper led the Ichabods with 123 yards and one touchdown while Simoneau finished 14 of 31 for 203 yards and three touchdowns. Hastings had four catches for 59 yards and the overtime touchdown.
Defensively
Michael Wilhoite and
Jared Brawner head had 11 total tackles. Wilhoite had 1.5 tackles for loss and Brawner recorded a tackle for loss.
Jahmil Taylor had 10 tackles and
Zach Falldorf recorded eight.
Isaac led the Gorillas on the ground with 141 yards on 13 carries and Zac Dickey had 110 yards on the ground as the Gorillas tallied 346 rushing yards on 53 carries.
The Ichabods recorded 382 yards of total offense while the Gorillas had 431 with 85 of the yardage coming through the air. Washburn limited the Gorillas to 114 total yards in the first half.
About Northwest MIssouri State . . .
The Bearcats are 5-1 and 5-0 in MIAA with the lone loss coming in their season opener to Texas A&M-Kingsville 16-7 on Sept. 2. The Bearcats have the MIAA's record for the most consecutive conference wins with 42 - breaking their own MIAA record of 41 last time out against Emporia State in a 42-28 win on Northwest's homecoming. The Bearcats have only given up seven points in the first quarter of games, a touchdown to ESU last time out, while outscoring their opponents 75 to 7 in the first 15 minutes of games this season. Overall the Bearcats have outscored their foes 242 to 98 in 2010.
Jordan Simmons leads the Bearcats' ground attack with 52. 3 ypg. Simons also leads the team with 141 all purpose yards per game. Kelvin Austin had five rushing touchdowns averaging 47.2 ypg. Overall the Bearcats are gaining 160 ypg. Blake Bolles is throwing for 275 ypg completing 64 percent of his passes (100 of 157) with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions for 1,648 yards. Bolles is averaging a team-best 280 yards in total offense per game. Jake Soy has 35 catches for 627 yards and eight touchdowns averaging 17.9 ypc. Josh Baker has 19 catches for 14.9 yards per catch and four touchdowns.
Defensively, Chad Kilgore has 49 tackles (17 solo) and two interceptions. Willie Horn has 39 tackles including six tackles for loss with 2.5 sacks and Ryan Jones leads the team with four interceptions.
Michael Stadler is averaging 40.5 yards per punt. Todd Adolf has hit his only field goal attempt - a 37-yard conversion against Truman.
Last time out for the Bearcats . . .
(Oct. 16, 2010) MARYVILLE, Mo. -- The No. 6-ranked Northwest Missouri Bearcats used two fourth quarter interceptions to push past Emporia State in a 42-28 win on Northwest's homecoming winning their MIAA record 42nd straight win.
The Hornets took the lead on its first possession of the game marching 82 yards in 14 plays consuming 8:29 on the clock. The Bearcats knotted the score right before the end of the quarter on a 10-yard pass from Blake Bolles to John Hinchey. Bolles would hook up with Jake Soy on a 37-yard touchdown reception putting the Bearcats up 14-7 with 12:08 to go in the first half. ESU rallied to tie the score 17 seconds later on a 68-yard strike from Tyler Eckenrode to Shju Richardson and would then take the lead on the Bearcats' ensuing drive when Wayne Burgess picked off Bolles and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown putting the Hornets up 21-14. However 27 seconds laster Jordan Simmons scored on an 18-yard scamper knotting the score at 21 entering halftime. The combination of Bolles to Soy connected on a 5-yard reception with 12:16 to go in the game, but again the Hornets answered with a 16-yard pass play from Eckenrode to Adam Schlitz tying the score with 3:53 to go in the third quarter. ESU would not score the remainder of the game and the Bearcats used the two pick-sixes taking the 14-point win. Simons had 86 yards rushing and Bolles finished 18 of 32 with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Soy finished with six catches for 115 yards and two scores.
Series Notes . . .
Saturday's meeting is the 31st in the series between the Ichabods and the Bearcats. The Bearcats lead the all-time series 24-6. Overall, the Bearcats have won 17 of the last 19. In Topeka, the Bearcats have won eight straight with the Ichabods' last win coming on Oct. 8, 1994, by a score of 48-14. Since 1984, the Ichabods are 3-10 against the Bearcats in Topeka. Since 1984, the Ichabods are 2-11 against the Bearcats in Maryville. The Ichabods are the last MIAA team to top the Bearcats in Maryville winning 31-28 on Oct. 8, 2005. The last six games have all been decided by 10 or less points with four of those five being decided by three or fewer points. The last five games have been decided by an average of 4.4 points.
Series Record: NWMSU leads 24-6
First Meeting: NW 7, WU 6 (1940)
Last Meeting: NW 22-19 (OT) (10/24/09) in Maryville
Last WU win: 31-28 (10/8/05) in Maryville
Last NW win: 22-19 (OT) (10/24/09) in Maryville
Largest WU win: 48-14 (10/8/1994) in Topeka
Largest NW win: 47-0 (9/8/1984) in Maryville
Last meeting with the Bearcats . . .
(Oct. 24, 2009) MARYVILLE, Mo. -- The No. 16 Washburn Ichabods pushed the No. 4-ranked Northwest Missouri State Bearcats to overtime before falling 22-19.
Washburn opened the game taking a 6-0 lead on a pair of
Steve Ivanisevic field goals. The first capped a 9-play, 71-yard drive with 5:39 to go in the first quarter. His second came with 14 seconds remaining in the opening stanza on a 47-yard boot putting the Ichabods.
Northwest jumped on the board as Blake Bolles hit Tyler Shaw on a 28-yard touchdown pass with 8:31 to go in the second quarter. Washburn then took a 13-7 lead into the halftime locker room as
Justin Cooper carried it to pay dirt on a 1-yard touchdown run with 38 seconds to play.
Neither team scored in the third quarter. The Bearcats cut the lead to 13-9 after a Washburn fumble in the end zone which was recovered by Cooper. Following the free kick, Bolles put Northwest up 16-13 with 47 seconds to play.
The Ichabods then took a short kick by the Bearcats and drove 39 yards in seven plays as Ivanisevic connected on a 41-yard field goal as time expired sending the game to overtime.
In overtime, the Ichabods scored first on another Ivanisevic field goal, this time from 32-yards out putting Washburn up 19-16. The Bearcats went eight plays from their own 25 and LaRon Council scored from 1-yard out capping the game 22-19 for Northwest.
Cooper had 53 yards on 19 carries for Washburn.
Dane Simoneau recorded 251 yards passing completing 20 of 38 passes.
Drameagon Powers had eight catches for 131 yards.
Zach Watkins led the Ichabods with 16 tackles including 12 solo stops.
Casey Curran had 12 tackles with one tacke for loss.
Ben Bianchino had two sacks for Washburn to go with eight tackles and three total tackles for loss.
Washburn Football History . . .
Washburn is 501-548-44 in the 120th year of Ichabod football.
A win for Washburn would . . .
lift the Ichabods to 502-548-44 in their football history … move the Ichabods to 5-3 on the season and 4-2 in MIAA play … improve the Ichabods to 7-24 all-time against the Bearcats … be the first win for the Ichabods over the Bearcats in Topeka since Oct. 8, 1994 snapping an eight-game losing streak in Yager Stadium … be the first win over the Bearcats since Oct. 8, 2005 in Maryville snapping a five-game losing streak to the Bearcats in the series.
A loss for Washburn would . . .
drop the Ichabods to 501-549-44 in their football history … drop the Ichabods to 4-4 on the season and 3-3 in MIAA play … drop the Ichabods to 6-25 all-time against the Bearcats … be the sixth straight loss to the Bearcats and the ninth straight in Topeka.
Pittsburg State revisited . . . the win
lifted the Ichabods to 501-548-44 in their football history … moved the Ichabods to 4-3 on the season and 3-2 in MIAA play … improved the Ichabods to 22-60-1 all-time against the Gorillas … was the first win for the Ichabods over the Gorillas in Pittsburg since Oct. 29, 1977 when the Ichabods won 28-21 … was the first time the Ichabods have beaten PSU in back-to-back games since Washburn topped PSU 28-16 on Oct. 2, 1976 in Topeka and 28-21 on Oct. 29, 1977 in Pittsburg … snapped a 17-game losing streak in Pittsburg … was the Ichabods' first double overtime game since Oct. 26, 2002 in a 34-28 loss to Missouri Western on a Washburn homecoming date … the win was also the first overtime win over the Gorillas since Oct. 1, 2005 game in Topeka - ironically by the same 35-34 score with the Ichabods taking advantage of a missed extra point by the Gorillas in the extra frame …
Craig Schurig tied former coach Larry Elliott for second place on the Ichabod all-time coaching win chart.
The Ichabods in the National Polls . . .
The Ichabods received two votes in the AFCA Coaches top 25 poll this week.
Bods and Ends . . .
Average Joe? - Senior wide receiver
Joe Hastings tied a school record with 13 receptions against the Orediggers in the season opener tallying 201 receiving yards in the process … against Nebraska-Omaha he tied another school record with four receiving touchdowns … he leads the MIAA lead in receptions per game with 7.1 and receiving yards per game with 127.4 yards per game averaging 17.8 yards per catch … this season he has gained 892 yards through the air on 50 receptions with 10 touchdown receptions … prior to this season his Washburn career numbers were 32 catches for 487 yards and one touchdown … he is also tied for second in the MIAA in scoring averaging 9.0 ppg … he is looking to become the first Ichabod receiver to go over the 1,000-yard plateau since Sam Sissom gained 1,109 yards in 2004 on 65 receptions … Hastings' 892 yards is seventh on the Ichabod single-season receiving chart.
Quick Kicks - Washburn's
Steve Ivanisevic has connected on 28 of his 32 career field goal attempts and 78 of 81 extra point attempts … his 28 field goals made are third all-time at Washburn and the 78 extra points are fifth all time at Washburn … his 87.5 percent field goal percentage is first all-time at Washburn and tops in MIAA history as well among kickers who have at least 20 made field goals … against UNO he tied his own school record for the third time converting four field goal attempts in the same game … other games with four field goals were NWMSU on 10/24/09 and MSSU on 9/12/09.
Red Zone is Blue Zone for Ichabods - This season again the Ichabods are making the most of the opportunities inside the opponent's 20 yards line scoring 26 times on 32 trips into the redzone with 20 touchdowns and six field goals. In 2009, the Ichabods scored in 54 of 59 trips inside their opponents redzone and have scored touchdowns on 39 of those trips with 22 coming on the ground. Opponents have scored 22 times in 25 trips inside the redzone scoring 18 touchdowns with four field goals this season.
Sim-City - Junior signal caller
Dane Simoneau has started the last 23 games … has passed for 5,680 yards averaging 227 yards per game in his career passing … he has thrown for 49 touchdowns completing 57.6 percent of his passing attempts … he has thrown for at least 300 yards in a game seven times at Washburn … against Fort Hays State, Simoneau became the fifth Ichabod signal-caller to go over 5,000 passing yards in a career … he also moved into third on the all-time passing chart passing Joe Schartz (1993-96).
Tell me Moore - Sophomore running back
Vershon Moore leads the team and the MIAA in rushing yards averaging 116.6 yards per game as the only conference running back averaging at least 100 yards per game and he is third in the MIAA in all-purpose yards with 132.4 yards per game … he has recorded 1,77 career rushing yards and 16 touchdowns averaging 5.9 yards per carry and 102.2 yards per game in 18 career appearances … he has moved into 10th all-time on the Ichabod rushing charts.
Hanging with Mr. Cooper - Junior running back
Justin Cooper has rushed for 356 yards this season and three touchdowns while going over the 1,000-yard mark for his career … he is 15th on the all-time rushing chart with 1,307 yards … his 70-yard touchdown run against Pittsburg State last week was his longest scoring run since a 78-yard dash against Colorado Mines in the 2009 season opener.
Rare air - Senior punter
Austin Hills is averaging 37.8 yards per punt this season on 24 attempts, a total which would rank fifth in the MIAA this season if he had the NCAA minimum of 3.6 attempts per game … his net punting average of 33.7 yards per punt is eighth in the MIAA … his 4,962 punting yards is eighth all-time at Washburn and his 39.1 yards per punt average is fifth trailing Kevin Cummings (1979-80) who had a 39.99 yards per punt average.
Ichabods and the non-conference - Since joining the NCAA ranks, the Ichabods are 20-17 in non-MIAA games. Under head coach
Craig Schurig, the Ichabods are 12-6 in non-conference games since the 2002 season during the regular season following the loss to Abilene Christian. In non-conference regular season away games under Schurig, the Ichabods are 6-2 and in home games during the regular season against non-MIAA foes, the Ichabods are 6-4.
Three dot ( . . . ) thoughts
The Ichabods are 20-19 all-time in MIAA road games under
Craig Schurig … the Ichabods are -4 in the turnover battle this season gaining 10 fumble recoveries with three interceptions while giving the ball away 17 times with eight interceptions and nine fumbles lost … the 17 turnovers is the third-highest total in the MIAA this season ahead of Missouri Southern who has 22 and Central Missouri who has 19 turnovers … the Ichabods had 17 turnovers through all of the 2009 season … in first half of games this season the Ichabods are 25 of 46 (.543) on third down conversions … in the second half the Ichabods are 19 of 46 (.413) … in the third quarter the Ichabods are 7 of 18 on third down conversions … Washburn is being outscored 73 to 35 in the fourth quarter this season … the Ichabods have had 60 plays of more than 30 yards with 33 of them coming through the air …
Joe Hastings has 18 plays of more than 30 yards,
Pierre Desir has 10 with nine coming on kickoff returns … the 70-yard touchdown run by
Justin Cooper at Pitt State was the Ichabods' longest scoring play and longest play overall this season …
Luke Schuckman,
Payton Iverson,
Brad Haug,
Jahmil Taylor and
Terry Grimmett each have five special teams tackles to lead the team … Ichabod offense line coach
Eric Eisenbarth was a backup sophomore offensive lineman the last time the Ichabods beat the Bearcats in 2005 …
Justin Cooper had a career-high five receptions for 35 yards against Northwest Missouri last season …
Jahmil Taylor leads the Ichabods with 49 tackles and of the 49 tackles 27 have come against the rush …
Marty Pfannenstiel leads the team with 29 tackles on rushing plays …
Jared Brawner leads the team with 17 tackles on passing plays … the Ichabods' average starting field position this season has been on the 33 yard line … Ichabod opponent's average starting field position has been the 33 yard line.
Ichabods on homecoming both home and away. . .
Saturday's game against Washburn will be the Ichabods' third of three homecoming games this season. The Ichabods have won 23 of their last 30 homecoming match ups played on the road and in Yager Stadium. At home, the Ichabods have won their last seven homecoming games played in Topeka. The last time the Ichabods fell in a homecoming game in Topeka was on Oct. 26, 2002 in double overtime loss to Missouri Western 34-28. Washburn topped Fort Hays State on its homecoming earlier this season on Oct. 2 by a score of 38-27 and Pittsburg State on Oct. 9 35-34 in double overtime in Pittsburg.
Schurig moving up the coaching ranks . . .
Ninth-year head coach
Craig Schurig has compiled a 58-40 all-time record at Washburn tying Larry Elliott who recorded 58 wins in two stints as the Ichabods' head coach from 1974-78 and 1984-89. Dick Godlove, who coaches from 1946 to 1958, is the Ichabods' all-time victories leader with 67.
Ichabods on Oct. 23 . . .
Since the 1961 season, the date of when games were available in media guides, the Ichabods are on 1-6 Oct. 23. Their lone win came during the 1982 season when the Ichabods topped Wayne State (Neb.) 19-13 in Topeka.
Game Changer
With the Ichabods hosting Emporia State on Nov. 6 as part of the MIAA TV Network, the game time will be pushed back from 1 p.m. to a 2:20 p.m. kickoff time. It will be a busy day in Yager Stadium as 20 seniors will be honored before the game as well as it being Washburn's family day.
Up next . . .
The Ichabods will travel to Kirksville, Mo., to face the Bulldogs with a 1 p.m. kickoff time. Washburn will then return home to face Emporia State in the 107th edition of the Turnpike Tussle before wrapping up the regular season at Missouri Southern at 2 p.m. in Joplin.
