Setting the scene. . .
The Washburn Ichabods return home to face Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday in Yager Stadium after snapping a three-game losing streak in a 38-27 win over Fort Hays State on Oct. 2. The Ichabods (2-3, 1-2 MIAA) are playing host to a Maverick team (2-3, 2-1 MIAA) who has won its last two games after dropping the first three games of the season. UNO is coming off a 42-17 win over Emporia State. The Ichabods will be looking for win No. 500 in the program's history as well. The Washburn Athletics' Hall of Fame will also induct former basketball, tennis and football player John Waltz, former basketball player Jordan Canfield and Pete Goering, a meritorious service inductee in a breakfast the morning of the game and introduced at halftime of the football game.
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 56-40 (.575) in his ninth season as the Ichabod head coach and he is 43-32 (.580) 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 0-2 all-time against Nebraska-Omaha.
Nebraska-Omaha head football coach Pat Berhns is the winningest football coach in UNO history, is now in his 17th season patrolling the UNO sideline. The 1972 graduate of Dakota State College earned his 150th career win on Sept. 12, 2009 against Truman and has led the Mavericks to an overall record of 121-65 (.649) during his tenure. UNO has had 14 consecutive winning seasons under Behrns and made eight appearances in the NCAA playoffs. The Mavs also have won seven conference titles. Behrns, a native of David City, Neb., has a career record of 157-92 (.629) in 22 seasons as a head coach at both UNO and North Dakota. He is 2-0 against Washburn.
Last time out for the Ichabods . . .
(Oct. 2) HAYS, Kan. -- The Washburn Ichabods snapped a three-game losing slide with a 38-27 win over Fort Hays State Saturday night at Lewis Field in Hays.
The Tigers took the opening drive and marched 79 yards on 10 plays to take the early 7-0 lead with 9:52 to go in the first half. The Ichabods (2-3, 1-2 MIAA), who deferred after winning the coin toss, returned serve and scored on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by
Vershon Moore capping a nine-play, 55-yard drive covering. The drive started in great field position after
Joe Ulmer took the opening kickoff as an up back and returned it to the Washburn 45-yard line.
The Tigers (3-2, 1-2 MIAA) scored on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Mike Garrison to James Walker with 1:52 to go in the opening quarter finishing a seven-play, 75-yard drive.
Steve Ivanisevic cut the Tiger lead to four at 14-10 on a 27-yard field goal with 12:31 to go in the first half. The Ichabod defense held the Tigers forcing a punt and Washburn would take possession and go 71 yards on seven plays as
Dane Simoneau hit the first of his two first half touchdown pass hooking up with
Joe Hastings from 17-yards out on a crossing route putting Washburn up 17-14.
Again the Ichabods forced the Tigers to punt and would wrap up the scoring in the first half on a Simoneau to Toré Hurst 5-yard touchdown pass. The drive covered 90 yards in 12 plays putting Washburn up 24-14 with 42 second to play in the half. The Tigers would drive to the Ichabod 21-yard line, but a 38-yard field goal attempt by Tyler Kimbrough sailed left and the Ichabods would take a knee to end the first half.
Fort Hays State and the Ichabods moved the ball in the first half with Washburn outgaining the Tigers 279 to 242 in the half.
To open the second half, the Ichabods pushed the lead to 31-14 on a 5-yard run by Moore wrapping a drive taking 63 yards on six plays. However the Tigers would come back on a 36-yard field goal by Kimbrough with 8:06 to go in the third quarter.
On the ensuing drive, the Ichabods went deep into the playbook as Simoneau hit a streaking
Brody Schuler across the middle on a reverse pass out of the Raven formation putting Washburn up 38-17.
The Tigers would score near the end of the third quarter on a 40-yard field goal and add a touchdown as the only points scored in the fourth quarter on Mike Garrison to O.J. Murdock 6-yard reception.
The Ichabods would then run out the clock and wrap up the game with the 11-point win.
Moore finished with 171 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns to take game honors. Simoneau finished 11 for 21 for 222 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Hastings went over the 100-yard mark for the fourth time this season with six receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown. Schuler had six catches for 67 yards and the touchdown reception.
Defensively, the Ichabods were led by
Jared Brawner who had 13 tackles with seven solo stops and a half sack.
Jahmil Taylor had 11 tackles with nine solo stops on his 22nd birthday.
Dakota Palan-Johnson had two tackles for loss and four solo tackles.
Garrison had 304 yards passing for the Tigers and he led the team in rushing as well with 76 yards. Beau Gadwood had 103 yards receiving on nine catches.
Washburn and Fort Hays State each had 26 first downs with 16 coming on the ground for the Ichabods. Washburn outgained the Tigers 465 yards to 449 yards ad 243 to 145 on the ground. Washburn was whistled for three penalties for 30 yards while the Tigers were called for two for 10 yards.
About Nebraska-Omaha . . .
The Mavericks have won their last two games after falling to Nebraska-Kearney (32-29), Ouachita Baptist (38-23) and Northwest Missouri (58-23) to open the season before knocking off Missouri Southern (42-10) and Emporia State (42-17). Saturday's game in Yager Stadium will be the Mavericks' first away game of the season.
UNO is averaging 31.8 ppg while allowing 31.0 ppg. On the ground the Mavericks are recording 206.8 yards per rushing per game and 205.6 yards per game through the air. The Mavericks are last in the league in total defense allowing 445 yards per game and eighth in overall rushing defense.
James Franklin leads UNO is rushing at 96 ypg. The true freshman won a 5A state championship in his last appearance in Yager Stadium for Olathe North after rushing for 269 yards and three touchdowns. John Teigland is averaging 169 yards passing per game and Mike Higgins is the leading receiver at 63 yards per game. A.J. Williams leads the defense with 38 tackles.
Last time out for the Mavericks . . .
(Oct. 2, 2010) OMAHA, Neb. -- OMAHA, Neb. – The University of Nebraska at Omaha football team celebrated Homecoming in fine fashion Saturday, posting a 42-17 win over Emporia State at Al F. Caniglia Field. With the victory, the Mavericks improved to 2-3 (2-1 MIAA) on the year, while Emporia State dropped to 4-2 (2-2 MIAA).
UNO finished with 550 yards of total offense to Emporia's 308, highlighted by 228 yards on the ground and 322 in the air. Sophomore running back Levi Terrell achieved his first 100-yard rushing game of the season, averaging 7.7 yards per carry, and junior wide receiver Marques Parker rushed for a touchdown with a 13-yard run.
Sophomore quarterback John Teigland rushed for two touchdowns and also passed for a pair of scores, throwing 319 total yards on a 17-for-21 day.
On the receiving end, senior tight end Mike Higgins had two touchdown receptions on 101 yards, and sophomore wide receiver Brian Miller matched Higgins with 101 receiving yards of his own.
Freshman kicker Jacob Ramsay had a solid day, finishing a perfect 6-for-6 in extra point kicks.
Defensively, senior linebackers Kyle Moore ad A.J. Williams led the way with six tackles apiece, while freshman linebacker Shaquil Barrett had five and sophomore linebacker Marcus Hall-Oliver had four.
The Mavs got on the board first with an 11-yard run by Teigland at 10:43 in the first quarter, putting UNO up 7-0. ESU responded less than 10 seconds into the second quarter with a 33-yard field goal by Zak King, making it 7-3. It proved to be the Hornets' only score of the first half, and the Maverick defense kept them quiet until the fourth.
Higgins had back-to-back touchdown receptions to close the first half, giving Nebraska-Omaha a 21-3 cushion by halftime. His first came on a 20-yard pass from Teigland, and his second was started with a remarkable interception by redshirt freshman cornerback Jerry Key at the four-yard-line that sparked a 10-play, 96-yard drive down the field. Teigland hit Higgins with a 28-yard strike with a minute to go before heading into the locker room.
The Mavs came out roaring again in the third quarter, as Hall-Oliver blocked an Emporia punt and Trey Wilberger returned it 27 yards for a touchdown, putting UNO up 28-3. With 2:39 left, Parker nailed down a 13-yard run to cap a 98-yard drive, extending the lead to 35-3.
Emporia State finally made its way into the end zone mere seconds into the fourth quarter, as Benjamin Love hauled in a 59-yard pass from Tyler Eckenrode to make it 35-10. Teigland led a four-play, 55-yard drive down the field in less than two minutes, capped with a two-yard run to put the Mavs up 42-17. ESU added a final score of their own at 6:45, with a two-yard run by Eckenrode for the final tally of 42-17.
ESU's Eckenrode was 9-for-20 in passing for 161 yards on the day, with two touchdowns to his credit.
Series Notes . . .
Saturday's meeting will be the 31st in all-time series with UNO holding a 16-13-1 lead. It will be only the third meeting since a Sept. 29, 1973 contest in Topeka which the Mavericks won 13-7. The Mavericks won the meeting last season in Omaha 31-21 on Oct. 10. The lone tie in the series came on Nov. 14, 1970 in a 15-15 game in Omaha. The last win for the Ichabods in the series came on Oct. 25, 1969 when the Ichabods won 24-21 in Topeka. The Ichabods are 0-5 against the Mavericks since then.
Series Record: UNO leads 16-13-1
First Meeting: WU 31, UNO 0 (1933)
Last Meeting: UNO 31-21 (10/10/09) in Omaha
Last WU win: 24-21 (10/29/66) in Omaha
Last UNO win: 31-21 (10/10/09) in Omaha
Largest WU win: 31-0 (1933)
Largest UNO win: 47-0 (10/26/68) in Omaha
Last meeting with the Mavericks . . .
(Oct. 10, 2009) OMAHA, Neb. -- The Washburn Ichabods fell to 5-2 and 3-2 in the MIAA as they fell 31-21 at Nebraska-Omaha.
The Ichabods jumped on the board first after forcing a Maverick fumble by
Michael Krajicek on their first possession of the game at the UNO 41. Six plays later,
Vershon Moore scored from three yards yard capping a 44-yard, six-play drive putting Washburn up 7-0.
UNO knotted the score on their next possession on a 63-yard pass from Greg Wunderlick to Mike Higgins for 63 yards with 9:52 to play in the first quarter.
Washburn returned serve with a 7-play, 80-yard drive as
Dane Simoneau hit
Drameagon Powers for a 20-yard strike with 7:14 on the clock putting the Ichabods up 14-7.After the teams traded drives with no score, UNO tied the score at 14 with 5:32 to play in the first quarter on a Levi Terrell rush from 11 yards out.
On the next drive, the Ichabods'
Vershon Moore reached for the end zone, but it was ruled fumble which the Mavericks recovered for a touchback. The Mavericks then drove 90 yards on 16 plays after a personal foul to go up 21-14. The Mavericks scored another touchdown to go up 28-14 with 1:17 to play in the half.Washburn cut the lead to 28-21 going into the half as Simoneau hit
Ryan Mertz for a 5-yard touchdown score.
In the second half, both teams were held scoreless until UNO's Greg Zuerlein connected on a 29-yard field goal with 5:08 to play in the third.
Washburn drove the ball on their next possession down to the UNO 18, but turned it over on downs. Neither team would score the remainder of the game.
Simoneau finished the game 25 of 42 for 392 yards and two touchdowns. His total was the fifth-highest WU single-season total behind the 398 yards he passed for last week against Fort Hays State. Powers finished with seven catches for 142 yards. Mertz had six catches for 107 yards. Moore had 15 carries for 57 yards and one score.
Defensively,
Zach Watkins had eight tackles with five solo stops putting his career solo tackle mark at 204. He also had two tackles for loss. Krajicek and
Casey Curran each had seven tackles.
Washburn had 470 yards of total offense and the Mavericks recorded 427. Washburn was flagged seven times for 74 yards.
Washburn Football History . . .
Washburn is 499-548-44 in the 120th year of Ichabod football.
A win for Washburn would . . .
lift the Ichabods to 500-548-44 in their football history … move the Ichabods to 3-3 on the season and 2-2 in MIAA play … improve the Ichabods to 14-16-1 all-time against the Mavericks … be the first win for the Ichabods over the Mavericks since Oct. 25, 1969 (0-5 since then)… snap a five-game losing streak to the Mavericks.
A loss for Washburn would . . .
drop the Ichabods to 499-549-44 in their football history … drop the Ichabods to 2-4 on the season … drop the Ichabods to 13-17-1 all-time against the Mavericks … be the sixth-straight loss to the Mavericks … be UNO's fourth-straight win in Topeka.
Fort Hays State revisited . . . the win
lifted the Ichabods to 499-548-44 in their football history … moved the Ichabods to 2-3 on the season and 1-2 in MIAA play … improved the Ichabods to 39-23-3 all-time against the Tigers … was the first win for the Ichabods in Hays since Sept. 23, 2006 in a 37-7 win … was the second straight win over the Tigers and the fifth in the last six games.
The Ichabods in the National Polls . . .
The Ichabods did not receive any votes in this week's (Oct. 4) American Football Coaches Association Poll.
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 … he leads the MIAA lead in receptions per game with 7.6 and receiving yards per game with 142.2 yards per game averaging 18.7 yards per catch. This season he has gained 711 yards through the air on 38 receptions with five touchdown receptions, prior to this season his Washburn career numbers were 32 catches for 487 yards and one touchdown.
Quick Kicks - Washburn's
Steve Ivanisevic has connected on 24 of his 28 career field goal attempts and 69 of 72 extra point attempts … his 24 field goals made are third all-time at Washburn and the 72 extra points are seventh all-time at Washburn … his 85.7 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.
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 21 times on 25 trips into the redzone with 16 touchdowns and five 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 17 times in 19 trips inside the redzone scoring 13 touchdowns with four field goals this season.
Sim-City - Junior signal caller
Dane Simoneau has started the last 21 games … has passed for 5,199 yards averaging 226 yards per game in his career passing … he has thrown for 42 touchdowns completing 57.2 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 joining Jordan Brill (7,041), Tyler Schuerman (6,525), Joe Schartz (5,527) and Mike Atkins (5,437) in that category.
Tell me Moore - Sophomore running back
Vershon Moore leads the team and the MIAA in rushing yards averaging 138.8 yards per game as the only conference running back averaging at least 100 yards per game while leading the MIAA in all-purpose yards with 156.2 yards per game … Moore also leads the MIAA in scoring averaging 10.8 points per game … he has recorded 1,655 career rushing yards and 16 touchdowns averaging 6.1 yards per carry and 103.4 yards per game in 16 career appearances … he has moved into 12th all-time on the Ichabod rushing charts.
Curran on the charts - Senior free safety
Casey Curran has recorded 214 career tackles putting him No. 15 on the all-time list … his 594 career punt return yards are fourth and his 63 punt returns are fourth all-time as well.
Hanging with Mr. Cooper - Junior running back
Justin Cooper has rushed for 198 yards this season and two touchdowns while going over the 1,000-yard mark for his career … against Fort Hays State he also played at outside linebacker recording two tackles.
Rare air - Senior punter
Austin Hills is averaging 37.9 yards per punt this season on 15 attempts, a total which would rank seventh in the MIAA this season if he had the NCAA minimum of 3.6 attempts per game … his net punting average of 34.5 yards per punt is tied for sixth in the MIAA … the Ichabods have not allowed any punt return yards since the season opener against Colorado Mines, which went for 10 yards covering a span of 14 straight kicks without any punt return yards.
Seeing Yellow - Two weeks after setting a school record with 16 penalties for 115 yards against Missouri Western on Oct. 18, the Ichabods were flagged for a season-low five for 42 yards against Central Missouri on Sept. 25 and then recorded another season-low with three penalties for 30 yards against Fort Hays State.
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 19-19 all-time in MIAA road games under
Craig Schurig … the Ichabods are -3 in the turnover battle this season gaining nine fumble recoveries with two interceptions while giving the ball away 14 times with seven interceptions and seven fumbles lost … the 14 turnovers is the second-highest total in the MIAA this season ahead of Missouri Southern who has 15 turnovers … the Ichabods had 17 turnovers through all of the 2009 season … in first half of games this season the Ichabods are 13 of 30 (.433) on third down conversions … in the second half the Ichabods are 15 of 29 (.517) … the Ichabods have been outscored 57 to 37 in the second quarter this season … Washburn is outscoring its opponents 73 to 41 in the third quarter and 91 to 80 in the second half … the Ichabods have had 46 plays of more than 25 yards with 27 of them coming through the air …
Joe Hastings has 16 plays of more than 25 yards … the 51-yard touchdown pass from
Dane Simoneau to
Brody Schuler at Fort Hays State tied the Ichabods' season-long scoring pass of Simoneau to
Travis Mosby against Central Missouri …
Payton Iverson,
Brad Haug and Luke Scuckman each have four special teams tackles to lead the team.
Schurig moving up the coaching ranks . . .
Ninth-year head coach
Craig Schurig has compiled a 56-40 all-time record at Washburn. He passed Ernest Bearg to move into third on the all-time wins chart last season. 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. Dick Godlove, who coaches from 1946 to 1958, is the Ichabods' all-time victories leader with 67.
Ichabods on Oct. 9 . . .
Since the 1961 season, the date of when games were available in media guides, 4-3 on Oct. 16. They have never faced Nebraska-Omaha on that date.
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 22 seniors will be honored before the game as well as it being Washburn's family day. The Ichabod football game schedule at Pittsburg State on Oct. 16 is also going to be a 2:20 p.m. start time back from the scheduled time of 2 p.m.
Up next . . .
The Ichabods will hit the road to face Pittsburg State on Oct. 16 with a 2:20 p.m. kickoff before returning home to face Northwest Missouri on Homecoming in Yager Stadium with a 1 p.m. start time.
