Kickoff
The No. 9-ranked Washburn Ichabods travel to Pittsburg, Kan., for a top 10 match up when they will take on the undefeated and No. 2-ranked Pittsburg State Gorillas on Saturday, Nov. 5 with a 2 p.m. start from Carnie Smith Stadium. The Ichabods (8-1, 6-1 MIAA) are coming off a 45-20 win over Fort Hays State while the Gorillas (8-0, 7-0 MIAA) have been idle since an Oct. 22 win over Central Missouri 38-17. With a win, the Ichabods could move into a first-place tie with Pittsburg State on top of the conference standings.
Game story lines
• The Washburn Ichabods jumped three spots from No. 12 to No. 9 in the latest American Football Coaches top 25 poll which was released on Monday after their win over Fort Hays State.
• Washburn was ranked No. 4 in the NCAA Super Region 4 rankings for the second straight week. The top six teams in the final regional rankings will qualify for the NCAA Division II Playoffs with the top two teams in each region receiving byes. The Gorillas jumped ahead of Midwestern State in the regional rankings into the top spot.
• The Ichabods are in search of their third-straight win over the Gorillas and the second-straight win in Pittsburg. The last time the Ichabods topped the Gorillas three straight games was between the 1946 to 1949 seasons when Washburn won four straight games over Pitt State.
• Saturday's game will have the No. 2 total offensive team in Washburn averaging 508.2 yards per game against the MIAA's No. 1 total defense in the Gorillas who allow 271.4 yards per game - 65.2 yards per game less than the MIAA's No. 2-ranked Washburn defensive unit. The Gorillas also have the conference's No. 3-ranked offense averaging 466 yards per game - 42.2 yards per game less than the Ichabod offense.
Game center: Washburn at Pittsburg State
Date/Time: Saturday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.
Location: Pittsburg, Kan. - Carnie Smith Stadium/Brandenburg Field (9,500)
Internet: through America One Network online
Radio: KTPK 106.9 FM and online at wusports.com
The Series: Pittsburg State leads the all-time series 60-22-1.
Series Notes: The Ichabods have won the last two games in the series and four of the last six overall.
Coaches
Washburn head football coach
Craig Schurig was named head coach of the Ichabod football program Dec. 28, 2001. Schurig is 70-42 (.602) in his tenth season as the Ichabod head coach and he is 55-33 (.600) against the MIAA. He has led the Ichabods to two NCAA Playoff appearances and two bowl appearance championships as well as the 2005 MIAA regular season outright championship as well as recording seven straight winning seasons for the first time in the program's history. Schurig's 70 wins are the most in school history passing Dick Godlove (1946-58) with a 42-14 win over Truman on Oct. 8, 2011. Schurig is 4-5 against Pitt State, where he spent nine years as an assistant coach.
Pittsburg State head coach Tim Beck is 14-6 in his second season on the Gorilla sidelines as the head coach. Beck assumed the helm of his alma mater (PSU, '88) after serving for 23 seasons as an assistant coach for the Gorillas, including 16 years as the team's offensive coordinator from 1994-2009. He was named the school's 14th all-time head football coach on Dec. 9, 2009. Beck previously served as Assistant Head Coach for two years, after being named to that role on the Pitt State staff on December 13, 2007. During his 16 seasons as offensive coordinator, the Gorilla offense was consistently ranked among the finest units in NCAA Division II. He is 0-1 against Washburn.
Notebook
Remembering Jermon
This week wearing No. 20 against Fort Hays State in remembrance of
Jermon Watson is
Justin Cooper, who normally wears No. 2. Last week against Fort Hays State,
Jahmil Taylor had seven tackles with five assisted tackles with an interception.
Quick Starts Key for Ichabods
Under head coach
Craig Schurig, the Ichabods are 53-10 when leading after the first quarter and they have gone 48-11 when they score the first points of the ball game. This season Washburn has outscored its opponents 137-28 in the first quarter.
November Action
The Ichabods are 11-8 under head coach
Craig Schurig in November. Since the 2006 season the Ichabods are 7-3 and they have won their last four games played in November overall not losing a game in the month since the final game of the 2008 season.
Number 9 . . . Number 9 . . . Number 9
Senior signal caller
Dane Simoneau has started the last 37 games … he has gone 26-11 as the Ichabod starting quarterback … he has passed for a school-record 10,024 yards averaging 257.0 yards per game in his career passing … he has thrown for a school-record 93 touchdowns completing 58.9 percent of his career passing attempts … he has thrown for at least 300 yards in a game 17 times … he has recorded 9,916 career total offensive yards which is first on the all-time chart Washburn chart and ranks fifth on the MIAA's career total offense chart … Simoneau trails Kasey Waterman from Missouri Western by one yard on the MIAA's all-time passing chart for third on the list … with 253 yards of total offense against the Gorillas on Saturday, Simoneau can pass former Gorilla quarterback Neal Philpot and move into third on the MIAA's career total offense chart.
MIAA Career Passing Chart Yards Att-Comp Pct TD's
1. Eric Czerniewski, UCM 2006-10 12,847 1678-1043 62.2 107
2. Drew Newhart, MWSU 2007-10 10,691 1348-817 60.1 95
3. Kasey Waterman, MWSU 1998-2001 10,025 1304-730 56.0 98
4. Dane Simoneau, WU 2008-pr. 10,024 1120-660 58.9 93
MIAA Career Total Offense Chart Yards Passing Rushing
1. Eric Czerniewski, UCM, 2006-10 12,978 12,847 131
2. Drew Newhart, MWSU 2007-10 10,594 10,691 -97
3. Neal Philpot, PSU 2001-04 10,168 5831 4337
4. Kasey Waterman, MWSU 1998-2001 10,056 10,025 31
5. Dane Simoneau, 2008-pr 9,916 10,024 -108
Hanging with Mr. Cooper
Senior running back
Justin Cooper has rushed for 2,348 career yards and 26 career touchdowns … he moved into fourth on the all-time chart passing Lee Williams (1986-90) who rushed for 2,209 yards at Washburn … this season, Cooper is averaging a career-best 5.2 yards per carry - better than his career average of 4.5 per carry … Cooper is one of only seven Ichabod running backs to go over the 2,000-yard rushing mark in a career and one of five to have at least 500 rushing attempts.
Washburn Career Rushing Chart Yards Att. YPC TD's
1. Ra'Shawn Mosley, 2004-07 3,416 602 5.7 34
2. Trent Hearn, 2003-06 3,154 679 4.6 48
3. Dino DeLisa, 1983-85 2,794 665 4.2 29
4. Justin Cooper, 2008-10 2,348 527 4.5 26
5. Les Williams, 1986-90 2,209 522 4.2 19
Fear the Beard
Ichabod sophomore DeJuan Beard leads the team with 44 receptions and 746 receiving yards and he also leads the team with 13 touchdown receptions … he is averaging 82.9 receiving yards per game this season … Beard has 13 touchdown receptions which is double the Washburn sophomore class record of six set by Sam Sissom during the 2003 season … he also now owns the sophomore receiving yards record breaking the previous high set by Michael Dritlein in 1993 … the sophomore pass reception record is 51 also set by Dritlein in 1993.
Garnering Attention
Ichabod sophomore wide receiver
Ronnell Garner, who missed the Fort Hays State game with the flu, is second on the team with 35 receptions while leading the team with 678 receiving yards averaging 19.4 yards per catch and 84.8 yards per game … he is second on the team with seven touchdown receptions … he needs 65 receiving yards to snap the sophomore class record of 742 set by Michael Dritlein in 1993.
Ichabods in Non-conference Action
Since joining the NCAA ranks, the Ichabods are 23-17 in non-MIAA games. Under head coach
Craig Schurig, the Ichabods are 15-6 in non-conference games since the 2002 season during the regular season following the loss to Abilene Christian in their 2010 home opener. In non-conference regular season away games under Schurig, the Ichabods are 8-2 and in home games during the regular season against non-MIAA foes, the Ichabods are 7-4.
Red Zone Success
In the 2009 and 2010 seasons the Ichabods have been outstanding in the red zone converting on a combined 101 of 113 trips into the red zone scoring 74 touchdowns with 27 field goals. This season the Ichabods are continuing that trend scoring on 35 of 39 trips into the red zone with 28 touchdowns and seven field goals. Opponents have scored 25 of 28 times in the Ichabod red zone collecting 19 touchdowns with nine field goals.
In the Middle
In the middle of the defensive line is senior defensive tackle
Ian Williams who has started 31 of the last 34 games. He has appeared in 40 games recording 80 tackles with 6.5 for loss and 4.0 sacks. He has also blocked three field goal and extra point attempts in his career including one against Emporia State on Oct. 1. His career-high in tackles is seven set against Pittsburg State as a sophomore
Folk hero
Senior offensive lineman
Brian Folkerts has started the last 35 games appearing in 40 for the Ichabods at left tackle and at right tackle. As a junior he started all 12 games on the left side of the line after starting 14 on the right side as a sophomore and freshman. He was named preseason All-American by the Consensus Draft Service.
Man of Steel
Senior linebacker
Marty Pfannenstiel has played in 45 career games at Washburn and has started the last 30 games … he has 214 total career tackles after tying for the team lead with 91 tackles as a junior in 2010 … he recorded his team-high third interception against Lincoln after picking off two passes against Sioux Falls in the season opener … his 115 career solo tackles is just outside the top 15 listing.
Taylor Made
Junior linebacker
Jahmil Taylor started the final eight games of the 2010 season and has made 26 career starts appearing in 34 games recording 205 tackles with 17 tackles for loss.
Showing the Way
Senior fullback
Greg Schoenberg has started 20 games at Washburn rushing for 157 yards with 23 catches for 364 yards and three touchdowns with two coming against Truman on Oct. 15. His 53-yard reception against Missouri Western was a career long. He has cleared the way for one of Washburn's six single-season 1,000-yard rushers at Washburn while recording 30 tackles on special teams appearing in 43 career games. He recorded his second rushing touchdown of his career against Lincoln. He set a career-high with four receptions earlier this season against Northwest Missouri for 60 yards.
No Fear
Redshirt freshman
Sean McPherson (pronounced Mc-Fear-son) recorded his first 100-yard game against Central Oklahoma on Oct. 8. McPherson has averaged 6.8 yards per carry this season collecting 513 yards on 76 attempts with four touchdowns averaging 64.1 yards per game.
Bryce as nice
Sophomore inside linebacker
Bryce Atagi had his string of four-straight double-figure tackle games come to an end after suffering a first half injury against Central Oklahoma. Atagi has started all nine games this season after starting two as a redshirt freshman. This season he leads the team with 77 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss.
Willie Will or Willie Won't
Sophomore outside linebacker
Willie Williams recorded career-high tying games of 10 tackles each against Missouri Western and Emporia State recording four solo stops in each game with six assisted tackles. This season he has 61 total tackles which is fifth on the team.
Casey's Countdown Chart Climber
Senior free safety
Casey Curran has recorded 287 career tackles playing in 42 career games making 34 career starts. His tackle total is seventh on the Ichabod all-time tackle chart as he became one of only seven Ichabods to record at least 275 tackles in a career. His 157 solo tackles rank fifth all-time for the Ichabods and his 130 career assisted tackles is seventh all-time.
Young Bods in play this season
The Ichabods had five true freshmen appear in the game against Sioux Falls in the season opener. Left guard
Dylan Ready and punter
Aaron Hummert made starts while safety
Calvin Kenney, wide receiver
Connor Crimmins and quarterback
Mitch Buhler all saw action. Buhler is the first true freshman to see action at quarterback for the Ichabods since Aaron Battle in the 1994 season. Against Lincoln, freshman defensive tackle
Tyler Ewy saw his first action and recorded three tackles with one for loss. Against Truman and Central Oklahoma, Kenney and Ewy both made their first starts of their Washburn career.
In the trenches
For the five Ichabod offensive line starters, Washburn averages 6-foot-3 and 301.2 pounds while the four Gorilla defensive linemen - in a 4-2-5 scheme - average 6-foot-2 and 263.5 pounds. When the Gorilla have the ball, their five offensive linemen average 6-foot-3 and 294 pounds while the Ichabods four defensive linemen average 6-foot-3 and 264.3 pounds.
Contemplating Conversions
For the Ichabods this season, it has been a tale of two halves as far as third down conversions go. In the first half this season, Washburn has converted 53 percent of its 35 of 66 third down plays. While in the second half of games this season in the first two games, Washburn was only 1 of 13 on third down conversions moving the chains. Against the Lions in week No. 3, the Ichabods were 7 of 10 including an 6 of 6 fourth quarter third down conversions. Against Missouri Western, Washburn was 7 of 9 in the second half and against Emporia State the Ichabods were 6 of 9 in the second half and against Truman Washburn was 0 for 5 and against Central Oklahoma the Ichabods were 3 of 7 on third down and against Northwest Missouri last time out Washburn was 0 for 4. Against the Tigers last week Washburn was 6 of 8 to make the Ichabods 30 of 65 (46 percent) overall on third down conversions in the second half of games this season. Opponents are 18 of 58 (31 percent) in first half conversions while they are completing 25 of 69 (36 percent) third down conversions in the second half.
About Pittsburg State
The Gorillas enter the game with a perfect 8-0 overall record sitting on top of the MIAA with a 7-0 conference mark. Pitt State is ranked No. 2 in this week's AFCA top 25 coaches poll and No. 1 in the NCAA Super Region 4 rankings. The Gorillas have the No. 1-ranked scoring defense allowing just 16.1 points per game and the top-ranked total defensive unit as well allowing 271.4 yards per game - 65 yards per game less than the Ichabod defense. Offensively, the Gorillas have the top-ranked rushing game racking up 296 yards per game on the ground while ranking third in total offense at 466 yards per game. Through the air, Pitt State is ranked ninth in the MIAA averaging 170 yards per game. Quarterback Zac Dickey ranks third in the MIAA in rushing at 85.8 yards per game and running back Briceton Wilson is fourth with 81.6 yards per game rushing. When Dickey does pass the ball, he is ranked third in the conference in passing efficiency completing 66 percent of his passes for 1,019 yards with six touchdown passes and four interceptions. Punt returner John Brown is averaging 15.3 yards per return and 124.6 all purpose yards per game. Defensively Nate Dreiling leads the team with 8.8 tackles per game - which is fourth in the MIAA. Gus Toca is fourth in the league with six sacks, ninth with 8.0 tackles for loss and leads the conference with three forced fumbles.
Last time out for Pittsburg State
Oct. 22, 2011 -- WARRENSBURG, Mo. — Zac Dickey rushed for a pair of touchdowns and passed for two more scores to lead No. 4 Pitt State to a 38-17 road win over Central Missouri Saturday (Oct. 22) at Audrey J. Walton Stadium. The win helped the unbeaten Gorillas improve to 8-0 overall and 7-0 in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, while the Mules fell to 5-3 overall and 4-3 in the MIAA. The Gorillas gained sole possession of first place in the MIAA standings with the victory, coupled with No. 3 Washburn's 52-28 loss to No. 6 NW Missouri State Saturday. Pitt State scored 17 unanswered first-half points to turn a 7-3 margin into a 24-3 halftime margin. The Gorillas piled up 239 rushing yards in the first half and finished the game with 366 yards on the ground. Briceton Wilson broke loose for a 44-yard touchdown run for the Gorillas first score with 7:37 to play in the first quarter. Dickey , who carried 22 times for a game-high 111 yards, added a 2-yard run early in the second quarter. He also tossed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Eric Love with 2:56 to play in the half, after the Gorillas recovered a fumble in UCM territory.
Jon Thomas added a 70-yard touchdown catch, surviving a hard smashing hit from UCM's Karl Parker 10 yards up field and then scooting untouched the rest of the way for the long score and a 31-10 lead with 3:54 to play in the third quarter.
Dickey, who completed nine of 13 passes for 155 yards in the game, capped Pitt State's scoring with a 10-yard run with 12:49 to play in the contest.
Pitt State limited the Mules to 111 rushing yards and just 292 total yards in the contest, with 59 yards coming on UCM's final cosmetic score with 3:26 remaining in the game. The Gorillas harassed UCM quarterback Tommy Corwin into 17 of 39 passing in the contest. Jamar Howard, who came into the contest averaging 124.5 receiving yards per game, did not make a catch.
Series history with Pittsburg State
Saturday's meeting is the 84th meeting in the series. The Gorillas lead the all-time series 60-22-1. Washburn has won four of the last six games played including last season's 35-34 double overtime win in Pittsburg on Oct. 16, 2010 which was Washburn's first win in Pittsburg since Oct. 29, 1977. In 2005, the Ichabods snapped a 25-game winning streak by the Gorillas with their 35-34 overtime win.
Last meeting between Washburn and Pittsburg State: WU 35, Gorillas 34 • 10/16/10
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 Terrance 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 Gorillas' 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 touchdown 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.
Last time out for Washburn: #12 WU 45, FHSU 20 • 10/29/11
TOPEKA, Kan. -- The No. 12-ranked Washburn Ichabods turned up 620 yards of total offense improving to 8-1 on the season and 6-1 in the MIAA with a 45-20 win over Fort Hays State.
Washburn took the opening drive of the game on jumped on the board first with a 26-yard field goal by
Jeremy Linn just over three minutes into the game. On the ensuing kickoff, the Ichabods recovered a muffed kickoff at the Fort Hays State 44. On the first play of the series,
Justin Cooper scored around the right side putting Washburn up 10-0 with 11:23 to play in the opening quarter.
The Tigers would go on an 8-play, 52-yard march down the field to cut into the Ichabod lead when Anthony Sheppard connected with Chase Leake for a 15-yard pass play with 7:41 to play in the first quarter. Washburn would then stretch its lead to 16-7 when
Dane Simoneau hit DeJuan Beard from 35-yards out on a drive covering seven plays and 80 yards.
Neither team would score until the FHSU's Sheppard scored from 1-yard out pulling the Tigers within two at 16-14 with 4:55 to go in the half. However it took only 46 more seconds for Washburn to score again on a 42-yard touchdown pass play from Simoneau to Beard putting the Ichabods up 23-14 entering the halftime break.
In the third quarter, Washburn's
Sean McPherson scored on a 1-yard run for the only points of the quarter adding to Washburn's lead of 16 at 30-14.
Cooper scored his second touchdown of the day when he scampered in from 23 yards out wrapping up a 9-play, 89-yard drive and with a Simoneau to Tore Hurst 2-point conversion, Washburn led 38-14 with 9:29 to play in the game.
Sheppard scored the Tigers' final points of the game on a 14-yard touchdown run pulling the Tigers with 18 at 38-20 after the 2-point conversion failed.
The Ichabods wrapped up the scoring with a 1-yard plunge by
Greg Schoenberg with 49 seconds left in the game.
Both Cooper and McPherson went over 100 yards in the game with Cooper recording 16 carries for 111 yards and two scores and McPherson tallying 102 yards on 20 carries with one touchdown. Simoneau finished with 313 yards completing 24 of 34 passing attempts with two touchdowns. He also became the fourth MIAA player to throw for more than 10,000 yards in his career as he raised his school-record passing yards to 10,024, which is one behind former Missouri Western quarterback Kasey Waterman who recorded 10,025 for the Griffons.
DeJuan Beard had six catches for 131 yards and two scores for Washburn.
Andre Smith led the Tigers with 78 yards on the ground on 17 carries while Sheppard finished 18 of 26 with two interceptions and one touchdown for 182 yards. Leake had five catches for 51 yards for the Tigers.
Defensively for the Ichabods, who held the Tigers to 155 second half yards,
Marty Pfannenstiel had 11 tackles along with
Bryce Atagi.
Jahmil Taylor had seven tackles and an interceptions while
Casey Curran had six tackles and an interception. Alex Whitehill had 14 tackles for the Tigers.
The Ichabods recorded 29 first downs in the game en route to the 620 total offensive yards with 352 coming through the air and 266 on the ground. The Tigers had 19 first downs with 330 total offensive yards (148 rushing/182 passing).
Bod notes ... three dot thoughts ...
Dane Simoneau has completed 56 of 89 (62 percent) of his passes on third down this season while converting 43 first downs and nine touchdowns … on plays of at least third and 10 - Simoneau is 48 of 74 for 35 first downs and eight touchdowns … DeJuan Beard has been thrown to 20 times on third down and he has pulled down 15 passes with 12 going for first downs with four touchdowns and 35 of Beard's 44 receptions have gone for first downs this season …
Sean McPherson has averaged 7.3 yards a carry on first down, 5.2 yards per carry on second down and 6.3 yards per carry on third down this season … … of
Bryce Atagi's 77 tackles, 48 have come against the run …
Casey Curran leads the team with a team-high 32 tackles on passing plays … Washburn's average starting field position this season has been its on 34 while opponents are averaging a starting field position of their own 31 … on kickoffs this season Washburn's average starting field position has been the 32 compared to opponents 30.
Ichabod team and individual Season records within reach
Individual Record 2011 Stats Current Record, Year
Passing Attempts Simoneau (307) Simoneau (374), 2010
Passing Completions Simoneau (189) Simoneau (223), 2010
Passing Yards Simoneau (2,822) Simoneau (3,459), 2010
Passing Touchdowns Simoneau (29) Simoneau (33), 2010
Completion Percentage Simoneau (61.6) Simoneau (60.2), 2009
Passing Yards Per Game Simoneau (313.6) Simoneau (288.2), 2010
Touchdown Receptions Beard (13) Slusser (20), 1988
Total Offense Simoneau (2,830) Simoneau (3,433)
Team Record
Passing Completions 201 257 (1980)
Passing Yards 3,038 3,590 (2010)
Passing Touchdowns 30 34 (2004, 2010)
Completion Percentage 60.9 59.3 (1983)
Passing Yards Per Game 337.6 299.2 (2010)
Receiving Yards 3,038 3,590 (2010)
Receptions Per Game 22.3 25.7 (1980)
Total Offense Yards 4,574 5,524 (2010)
Total Offense Per Game 508.2 473.5 (2009)
Washburn / Pittsburg State ties . . .
There are three current coaches on the Ichabod coaching staff with ties to Pitt State. Other than head coach
Craig Schurig's nine years on the Gorilla staff, three other coaches also have ties to the Gorillas' program.
• Defensive Coordinator and Linebacker's coach Cooper Harris played for the Gorillas from 1992 to 1994 where he recorded 295 tackles in 31 games, seventh on the all-time chart. He won the Joe Murphy Award twice as the team's most valuable defensive player.
• Offensive coordinator coach Rob Robinson spent one season as a graduate assistant with the Gorillas after wrapping up his playing days at William Jewell.
• Defensive line coach
David Trupp was the defensive line and offseason strength and condition coordinator for the Gorillas from 1996 to 1998.
• On the Gorilla coaching staff, assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Dave Wiemers played both quarterback and pitched at Washburn during the 1989-90 seasons earning his BS degree in 1990.
NCAA Regional rankings released . . .
The Washburn Ichabods, who earlier this week were ranked No. 9 in the American Football Coaches Association top 25 coaches poll, was tabbed at No. 4 in the NCAA Super Region Four rankings for the second straight week. . The top six teams in the final regional rankings will make the NCAA Division II 24-team playoffs with the top two teams in each of the four regions receiving byes.
The Ichabods sit in the fourth spot trailing Pittsburg State, Midwestern State, who was No. 1 last week and Northwest Missouri, who is No. 3. The Ichabods are followed by Abilene Christian, West Texas A&M - both from the Lone Star Conference. Missouri Western is No. 7 followed by Ouachita Baptist at No. 8, Humboldt State at No. 9 and Central Missouri at No. 10. Following this Saturday's game with the Gorillas, Washburn will play host to Central Missouri on Nov. 12 in Yager Stadium. Northwest Missouri plays Missouri Western this weekend in St. Joseph. Central Missouri is playing Lindenwood in a non-conference match up this weekend.
In Region Overall
1 Pittsburg State 8-0 8-0
2 Midwestern State 8-0 8-0
3 Northwest Missouri State 7-1 8-1
4 Washburn 7-1 8-1
5 Abilene Christian 6-1 6-2
6 West Texas A&M 6-2 6-2
7 Missouri Western State 6-2 7-2
8 Ouachita Baptist 6-2 6-2
9 Humboldt State 6-1 7-1
10 Central Missouri 6-3 6-3
Washburn Football History
Washburn is 513-554-44 (.478) in the 121st year of Ichabod football.
A win for Washburn over Pittsburg State would ...
lift the Ichabods to 514-554-44 in their football history … move the Ichabods to 9-1 on the season for second time under head coach
Craig Schurig and for first time since 2005 - when the Ichabods won the MIAA and finished the season 9-3 … be the third straight win over the Gorillas … be the first time the Ichabods would have beaten Pitt State in three straight games since winning four in a row between the 1946 and 1949 seasons … be the second straight win for Washburn in Pittsburg … move the Ichabods into a first-place tie with the Gorillas in the MIAA standings.
A Loss for Washburn would ...
drop the Ichabods to 513-555-44 in their football history … snap a two-game winning streak over the Gorillas … be Pitt State's first win over Washburn since a 48-17 win over Washburn in Pittsburg on Nov. 1, 2008.
The win against Fort Hays State revisited ... the win
lifted the Ichabods to 513-554-44 in their football history … moved the Ichabods to 8-1 on the season for second time under head coach
Craig Schurig and for first time since 2005 - when the Ichabods won the MIAA and finished the season 9-3 … was the third straight win over the Tigers and the sixth-straight overall in Topeka … was the Ichabods' ninth-straight homecoming win and their 26th in their last 34 homecoming games both at home and on the road.
The Ichabods in the national polls
The Washburn Ichabods jumped back into the top 10 of the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 Coaches poll following their 45-20 win over Fort Hays State. Washburn has been ranked in the top 25 in the last 10 polls and has received votes in 36 of the last 37 polls by the American Football Coaches Association. The Gorillas are 8-0 overall and 7-0 in MIAA play this season and were off since a Nov. 22 win over Central Missouri last time out.
Up next
The Ichabods will return home to wrap up the regular season facing Central Missouri at 1 p.m. on Nov. 12 in Yager Stadium.
