Setting the scene. . .
The Washburn Ichabods will wrap up the regular season on Nov. 13 in Joplin, Mo., when they will take on Missouri Southern with a 2 p.m. kickoff in Fred Hughes Stadium. The Ichabods are coming off a 42-0 swatting of Emporia State recording their first shutout win over the Hornets since the 1976 season improving to 6-4 overall and 5-3 in the MIAA remaining in a tie for third place in the conference standings. The Lions are 4-6 overall and 2-6 in conference play after winning at Fort Hays State 41-31.
Ichabods on Radio . . .
The game will be broadcast live on KTPK 106.9 FM. 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 60-41 (.588) in his ninth season as the Ichabod head coach and he is 47-32 (.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's 59 wins is the second-most in school history behind Dick Godlove (1946-58) who recorded 67 wins. Schurig is 7-1 against Missouri Southern.
Misouri Southern head coach Bart Tatum is in his fifth season as head coach at Missouri Southern after spending 12 seasons as an assistant coach at Northwest Missouri State. In his four seasons at Southern, Tatum has led the Lions to an 21-32 record and two sixth place finishes in the MIAA. He is 0-4 against the Ichabods.
Last time out for the Ichabods . . .
(Nov. 6, 2010) TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn seniors played their final game in Yager Stadium in style recording a 42-0 win over Emporia State in the 107th edition of the Turnpike Tussle. The win was the seventh in a row for the Ichabods in the series and the victory margin was the largest in the series history between the two schools. The Ichabod defense held the Hornets to 13 first downs in the game and 262 total yards (67 passing) while recording the first shutout for the Ichabods over the Hornets since Oct. 9, 1976 in a 21-0 win in Emporia. The Ichabods scored two touchdowns in each of the first three periods in the win.
The Ichabods took the first possession of the game and was forced to punt, but it was muffed by ESU's Brian Murphy which was recovered by
Ronnell Garner at the ESU 32-yard line. Three plays and the 32 yards later
Justin Cooper scored from 2-yards out putting the Ichabods out to the early lead following the extra point by
Steve Ivanisevic.
After the Ichabods forced a three-and-out on the Hornet offense, Washburn would go on a 12-play, 87-yard drive taking 6:46 off the clock as
Dane Simoneau hit
Joe Hastings in the corner of the end zone putting Washburn up 14-0. The Ichabods had the ball for 9:58 of the first half outgaining the Hornets 125 to 32.
In the second quarter the Ichabods again would use a long drive to stretch the lead when Simoneau hit
Korie Henry for a 6-yard touchdown pass wrapping up a 13-play, 75-yard drive putting Washburn up 21-0 following Ivanisevic's extra point. With 1:21 remaining in the half, senior
Ben Vann picked off Sheldon Smith at the Washburn 17 and returned it 39 yards to the Emporia State 44 setting up 1-yard plunge for Simoneau with 24 seconds remaining in the first half sending the Ichabods into the halftime break leading 28-0.
Washburn forced the Hornets into a punt on their opening drive and Washburn's Simoneau passed for his school-record-breaking 58th career touchdown to DeJuan Beard on a 24-yard completing breaking Tyler Schuerman's mark from 2000-04.
The teams traded punts and Simoneau wrapped up the scoring with his fourth touchdown pass of the afternoon to Hastings from 9-yards out capping a 72-yard drive with 2:27 to go in the third quarter.
Leading the Washburn defense was
Marty Pfannenstiel who had 10 tackles with six solo stops.
Jared Brawner recorded eight (six solo) as did
Michael Wilhoite,
Jahmil Taylor and Henry.
Zach Falldorf also recorded an interception.
Washburn was led on the ground by Cooper who had 84 yards on 14 carries and the first quarter touchdown.
Brad Haug rushed for a season-high 63 yards on 13 attempts. Simoneau was 16 of 29 for 218 yards and four touchdowns while leaving the game after the third quarter.
Cameron Kasel came in and finished 4 of 8 for 22 yards. Hastings led the team with five receptions for 43 yards and two touchdowns. Beard had three catches for 60 yards and one touchdown.
Austin Hills had five punts for 217 yards averaging 43.4 yards per attempt.
Smith had 111 yards to lead ESU on 18 carries while completing 6 of 13 passes for 41 yards. Tracey Hageman had three catches for 27 yards. Defensively Josh Taylor had nine tackles.
Washburn recorded 447 yards of total offense averaging 6.2 yards per play with 207 yards coming on the ground.
The shutout was the fourth for the Ichabods under head coach
Craig Schurig and the first one in Yager Stadium. The last time the Ichabods recorded a shutout was 23 games ago when they blanked the Lions on Oct. 4, 2008 in a 23-0 win over Missouri Southern.
About Missouri Southern . . .
The Lions come into today's game with a 4-6 overall record and 2-6 in conference play after topping Fort Hays State last time out 31-21 in Hays. The Lions are third in the MIAA in scoring defense allowing 24.6 points per game and eighth in scoring offense putting up 23.8 ppg. The Lions lead the MIAA in total defense allowing 332.6 yards per game. The Lions are second in the conference in rushing defense allowing 126.5 yards per game. The Lions are tied for last in kickoff coverage allowing 37.5 yards per kickoff return. The Lions are also last in the conference in third down conversion percentage gaining first downs on 42 of 128 attempts for a 32 percent rate.
Sophomore Cornell Gedward is third in MIAA in rushing averaging 81.8. Colin Howard is sixth in the league in passing yards at 202.1 yards per game and seventh in passing efficiency with a 119.5 rating. Landon Zerkel is tied for fourth in the MIAA in receptions per game with 5.7 and fifth in receiving at 82.8 yards per game. Ne'Ronte Threat is second in the MIAA in kickoff return average at 25.9 yards per game. Dusty Bratzler is 25th in the MIAA in tackles averaging 5.3 per game. Sophomore defensive lineman Brando Williams leads the team and the MIAA in sacks with nine total for 63 yards. He sits fourth in the MIAA in tackles for loss at 1.60 per game.
Last time out for the Missouri Southern . . .
(Nov. 6, 2010) - (MSSU Sports Information) Hays, Kan. -- The Missouri Southern football team scored 14-straight points to start the second half and defeated Fort Hays State 41-31 in Hays today at Lewis Field Stadium.
Southern (4-6, 2-6 MIAA) wins its first game on the road this year and outscored the Tigers (3-7, 1-7 MIAA) 31-21 in the second half.
The Lions were led offensively by Cornell Gedward as the sophomore rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Collin Howard threw for 328 yards on 18-28 passing and had one touchdown. Blake McDonald had a passing touchdown of his own when he was inserted at the wide receiver slot and took the ball from Ne'Ronte Threatt on an end around and hit Threatt perfectly in stride for the score. Threatt caught 10 passes for 225 yards and two scores. The 225 yards is the second-most all-time by a Lions receiver in a game, second only to Rod Smith's 254 in 1991 against Southwest Baptist. Threatt also added 41 yards on kickoff returns.
Defensively, Justin Cowper led the Lions with six tackles, while Demond Horsely and Eric Willis had six, as well. Dusty Bratzler added five stops and two tackles for a loss, while Scott Langill had five tackles, an interception and a sack. Josh Woodard had an interception and a sack, as well, while Brandon Dean picked up a forced fumble and a half sack.
Dallas Herndon connected on each of his field goals, a 35-yarder as time expired in the first half and a 21 yarder with 10 minutes in the fourth.
Southern started the scoring with a one-yard rush from Howard to get on the board first. The Tigers answered back with an 18-yard field goal from Tyler Kimbrough and went on top 10-7 with a one-yard rush and score from James Walker late in the second. The Lions tied the score at the half with Herndon's first field goal.
The second half started off all Lions as Southern scored 14 quick points on its first two possessions of the half. The first being the end-around play from McDonald to Threatt for 21 yards and the second being a one yard rushing touchdown for Gedward to make the score 24-10.
Hays added another short run and score from Walker to start the fourth, and Southern went back on top 27-17 after Herndon's second field. goal. A 19-yard touchdown pass from Howard to Threatt made the score 34-17 before Hays answered back with a 45-yard pass and score to cut the lead back to ten at 34-24.
Southern scored on the very next possession as Gedward capped off a 40-yard drive with a six yard run for pay dirt to go up 41-24. Hays would add a late touchdown pass to make the final tally 41-31.
The Lions had 517 yards of total offense, but Hays racked up 529 on the MIAA's best defense. Southern limited the Tigers to 114 yards on the ground, while rushing for 139 themselves, but the Tigers threw for 415 yards in the air to the Lions 378.
Series Notes . . .
Saturday's meeting is the 41st meeting in the series. The Lions lead the all-time series 20-19-1. The Ichabods have won the last seven games and 11 of the last 12 overall. In games played in Joplin, the Ichabods have won five of the last six. In Topeka, the Ichabods have won the last six games. In the last 14 games in the series, the average margin of victory has been 9.6 points with eight games being decided by seven or fewer points.
Series Record: MSSU leads 20-19-1
First Meeting: Tie, 21-21 (10/17/1970) in Joplin
Last Meeting: WU 54-31 (9/12/09) in Topeka
Last WU win: 54-31 (9/12/09) in Topeka
Last MSSU win: 52-28 (9/28/2002) in Joplin
Largest WU win: 54-31 (9/12/09) in Topeka
Largest MSSU win: 44-14 (10/3/1992) in Joplin
Last meeting with the Lions . . .
(Sept. 12, 2009) -- TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn Ichabod football team topped Missouri Southern 54-31 winning their seventh straight over the Lions in Yager Stadium in their MIAA opener.
The Lions scored the first points of the game as Andrew Gassen converted a 40-yard field goal on the opening drive of the game. The Ichabods would then roll off 38 unanswered points scoring 28 in the second quarter putting the game out of reach for the Lions.
The Ichabods
Justin Cooper and
Dane Simoneau had 1-yard touchdown rushes in the run while
Brad Cole had two touchdowns receptions of 7- and 48-yards.
Cameron Knox also had a 2-yard pass reception from Simoneau.
Steve Ivansisevic tied a school-record for the second straight week – this time he connected on all four field goal attempts of 33-, 27-, 31- and 24-yards. He tied Mike Cassin (1978 vs Missouri Valley), Dan Brown (1992 vs Emporia State) and Chad Todd (2000 vs Wisconsin-LaCrosse).
Washburn's
Greg Schoenberg wrapped up the Ichabod scoring with a 19-yard scamper with 5:54 to go in the game.
Simoneau finished 20 for 27 passing for a career-high 306 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another score. He was 18 of 23 in the first half for 263 yards and played only three quarters in the game.
Cole finished with 86 yards receiving on five catches and two touchdown receptions. While
Vershon Moore had 54 yards on 12 carries.
Michael Krajicek had a game-high 12 tackles and
Casey Curran had nine stops with an interception return of 60 yards on the final play of the first half. Washburn recorded five sacks led by
Eric Lawrence's 2.5 sacks for 12 yards and 3.5 tackles for loss for 14 yards.
Dakota Palan-Johnson had 1.5 sacks and
Brandon Jackson added a solo sack.
Washburn finished with 499 yards of total offense and averaged 7.3 yards per play. Missouri Southern had 377 total yards of offense with 234 coming in the second half.
Washburn Football History . . .
Washburn is 503-549-44 in the 120th year of Ichabod football.
A win for Washburn would . . .
lift the Ichabods to 504-549-44 in their football history … move the Ichabods to 7-4 on the season and 6-3 in MIAA play … be the eighth-straight win over the Lions … even the series at 20-20-1 all-time between the the schools … be the fourth-straight win over the Lions in Joplin … would give the Ichabods at least seven wins in a season for the 23rd time in the program's history and the sixth time under head coach
Craig Schurig … the six MIAA wins would tie the 2004, 2006 and 2009 Ichabod teams for third in conference wins behind the 2005 and 2007 teams who recorded seven wins.
A loss for Washburn would . . .
drop the Ichabods to 503-550-44 in their football history … drop the Ichabods to 6-5 on the season and 5-4 in MIAA play … snap a seven-game winning streak over the Lions … put Missouri Southern up 21-19-1 all-time in the series … be the first win for the Lions in the series since a 52-28 win over the Ichabods on Sept. 28, 2002 in Joplin.
Emporia State revisited . . . the win . . .
lifted the Ichabods to 503-549-44 in their football history … moved the Ichabods to 6-4 on the season and 5-3 in MIAA play … secured the Ichabods seventh straight winning season … improved the Ichabods to 50-51-6 all-time against the Hornets … was the seventh straight win in the series for the Ichabods … was the fifth straight win for the Ichabods over the Hornets in Topeka … was the first shutout over Emporia State since Oct. 9, 1976 in a 21-0 win over ESU in Emporia … was the first home shutout since 1995 in a 61-0 win over McPherson - a streak of 89 games.
The Ichabods in the National Polls . . .
The Ichabods received 11 points in the AFCA Coaches top 25 poll this week … running the poll out the Ichabods would be 37th overall.
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 … against Emporia State he pushed his single-season total to 1,138 yards and 66 receptions becoming the first Ichabod receiver to go over the 1,000-yard plateau since Sam Sissom gained 1,109 yards in 2004 on 65 receptions … he leads the MIAA lead receiving yards per game with 113.8 yards per game averaging 17.2 yards per catch … he is second in the MIAA in receptions per game with 6.6 and … prior to this season his Washburn career numbers were 32 catches for 487 yards and one touchdown … he is also second in the MIAA in scoring averaging 8.4 ppg … Hastings' 1,138 yards is second on the Ichabod single-season receiving chart, trailing Troy Slusser's 1,512 yards in 1988, his 66 receptions are third on the single-season chart trailing Slusser's 68 from 1988 and Ron Hamilton's 84 from 1980.
Quick Kicks - Washburn's
Steve Ivanisevic has connected on 31 of his 35 career field goal attempts and 94 of 97 extra point attempts … his 31 field goals made are third all-time at Washburn and the 94 extra points are third all time at Washburn trailing Chad Todd's 102 and Connor Sabel's 157 … his 88.6 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 Northwest Missouri on Oct. 24, 2009 and Missouri Southern on Sept. 12, 2009 … his 31 career field goals trails Nick Kresic's 35 (1983-86) and Chad Todd's (1997-2000) school-best 36.
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 39 times on 46 trips into the redzone with 30 touchdowns and nine 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 26 times in 30 trips inside the redzone scoring 21 touchdowns with five field goals this season.
Sim-City - Junior signal caller
Dane Simoneau has started the last 26 games … has passed for 6,467 yards averaging 231 yards per game in his career passing … he has thrown for a school-record 59 touchdowns completing 57.3 percent of his career passing attempts … he has thrown for at least 300 yards in a game nine times … against Northwest Missouri, Simoneau became the third Ichabod signal-caller to go over 6,000 passing yards in a career … he trails Tyler Schuerman (2000-04) who passed for 6,525 yards and Ichabods' all-time leader Jordan Brill (2004-07) who passed for 7,041 yards … he needs 18 completions to become the school's all-time leader in pass completions as he enters the Missouri Southern game with 428 trailing Schuerman's 440, Mike Atkins' (1977-80) 442 and Brill's 446 … Simoneau already has the Washburn single-season record with 196 completions set last year and he needs seven more to set a new record entering the MSSU game with 180 … Simoneau also set the single-season passing record last year with 2,955 yards, he needs 232 to break his own record … he needs one touchdown pass to break the Washburn single-season touchdown mark as he has 28 this season tying Schuerman's record set in 2004 … with 214 yards of total offense he will break his own record of 2,922 set in 2009 as he enters the MSSU game with 2,709 which is currently second … WU's single season record for touchdowns responsible for is 30 set by Schuerman in 2004 and Simoneau sits at 29.
Tell me Moore - Sophomore running back
Vershon Moore leads the team and the MIAA in rushing yards averaging 114.4 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 131.4 yards per game … he sat out the Truman game last weekend … he has recorded 1,876 career rushing yards and 17 touchdowns averaging 6.1 yards per carry and 98.7 yards per game in 19 career appearances … he has moved into eighth all-time on the Ichabod rushing charts. Moore enters the Truman game with 915 yards this season looking to become the sixth Ichabod to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season and the first since 2007 when Ra'Shawn Mosley ran for 1,199. He has not played in either of the Ichabods' last two games but should be ready for the Missouri Southern game.
Hanging with Mr. Cooper - Junior running back
Justin Cooper has rushed for 522 yards this season and six touchdowns while going over the 1,000-yard mark for his career … he is 15th on the all-time rushing chart with 1,473 yards.
Fear the Beard - Ichabod redshirt freshman DeJuan Beard is second in the MIAA punt returns with a 13.8 yard per return average … this season he is averaging 65.8 all purpose yards per game adding 20 catches for 318 yards and three touchdown receptions averaging 15.9 yards per catch … he is second on the team with 20 receptions.
Rare air - Senior punter
Austin Hills is averaging 40.0 yards per punt this season on 38 attempts, which is fifth in the MIAA … his net punting average of 32.5 yards per punt is seventh in the MIAA … his 5,573 punting yards is eighth all-time at Washburn and his 39.5 yards per punt average is fourth trailing Kevin Cummings (1979-80) who had a 39.99 yards per punt average.
Block party - The Ichabods have blocked five punts this season with
Brody Schuler leading the way with two … for his career Schuler has three which is tied for third all-time at Washburn for blocked punts.
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.
Didn't you used to be ... - On Saturday, the Lions will be having senior day festivities for their senior class and on the Washburn sideline will be two for Missouri Southern players who after graduating from Missouri Southern will play against their former teammates … Washburn's
Jared Brawner and
Korie Henry each joined the Ichabods on the first day of practice this season enrolling school at Washburn … Brawner has had 66 tackles with 33 solo stops along with 2.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery … Henry, who moved from tight end to defensive end, has recorded 15 tackles with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble while pulling down a touchdown reception against Emporia State in the Ichabods' 42-0 win over the Hornets last week.
Three dot ( . . . ) thoughts
The Ichabods are 21-19 all-time in MIAA road games under
Craig Schurig … the Ichabods are -2 in the turnover battle this season gaining 13 fumble recoveries with six interceptions while giving the ball away 21 times with 11 interceptions and 10 fumbles lost … the 20 turnovers is the third-highest total in the MIAA this season ahead of Missouri Southern who has 24 and Central Missouri who has 23 … in first half of games this season the Ichabods are 43 of 66 (.651) on third down conversions … in the second half the Ichabods are 29 of 69 (.420) … in the third quarter the Ichabods are 13 of 29 on third down conversions … Washburn is being outscored 83 to 58 in the fourth quarter this season … Washburn is outscoring opponents110 to 68 in the third quarter … the Ichabods have had 88 plays of more than 30 yards with 52 of them coming through the air …
Joe Hastings has 22 plays of more than 30 yards, DeJuan Beard has 12 with nine on receptions, two on punt returns and one on kickoff returns …
Pierre Desir has 10 with nine coming on kickoff returns … the 74-yard touchdown run by
Vershon Moore against NWMSU was the Ichabods' longest scoring play and longest play overall this season …
Payton Iverson and
Brad Haug have seven special teams tackles to lead the team with all of them coming on kickoff coverage for both Ichabods …
Marty Pfannenstiel leads the Ichabods with 75 tackles and of the 75 tackles 51 have come against the rush …
Pierre Desir leads the team with 25 tackles on passing plays … the Ichabods' average starting field position this season has been on the 34 yard line … Ichabod opponent's average starting field position has been the 32 yard line …
Brad Haug has his career-long rush of 37 yards against Missouri Southern on a fake punt on Oct. 4, 2008 …
Steve Ivanisevic had a career-high 18 points scored against Missouri Southern on Sept. 12, 2009 with four field goals and six extra points … Vershon had a career-long reception of 36 yards against Missouri Southern on Sept. 12, 2009.
Ichabods 10th in the NCAA Regional Rankings . . .
The Washburn Ichabods were No. 9 in the second regional rankings which were released this week. The four Ichabod losses this season have come to No. 1 Abilene Christian, No. 3 Northwest Missouri, No. 4 Central Missouri and No. 6 Missouri Western.
1. Abilene Christian 10-0 10-0
2. Texas A&M-Kingsville 9-1 9-1
3. Northwest Missouri State 8-1 8-1
4. Central Missouri 9-2 9-1
5. West Texas A&M 7-3 7-3
6. Missouri Western State 7-3 7-3
7. Midwestern State 7-3 7-3
8. Central Washington 7-3 6-2
9. Washburn 6-4 6-4
10. Humboldt State 7-3 5-2
Team single season record book in reach . . .
Category Record, year Currently
Passing TD's 34, 2004 29, 2010
Receiving yards 3,214, 2009 2,844, 2010
Schurig moving up the coaching ranks . . .
Ninth-year head coach Craig Schurig has compiled a 60-41 all-time record at Washburn. Dick Godlove, who coaches from 1946 to 1958, is the Ichabods' all-time victories leader with 67.
Ichabods on Nov. 13 . . .
Since the 1961 season, the date of when games were available in media guides, the Ichabods are 1-4 on Nov. 13. The Ichabods have not faced the Lions on Nov. 13.
Up next . . .
The Ichabods will have to wait and see. The Ichabods will have to beat the Lions to have a shot at the NCAA postseason entering the final week of the rankings at No. 9. Regional selections will be announced on Sunday afternoon with Kanza and Mineral Water Bowl bids to be announced toward the first of the week after the completing of the regular season this weekend.
