Kickoff
The No. 15 Washburn Ichabods will host No. 11 Abilene Christian in the first round of the 2011 NCAA Playoffs in Yager Stadium on Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. Washburn (9-2, 7-2 MIAA) is making its third NCAA Postseason Playoff appearance and its fifth overall postseason appearance under head coach
Craig Schurig. The Ichabods fell 39-21 in their regular season finale to Central Missouri 39-21 and the Wildcats (8-2, 7-1 LSC) ran over Incarnate Word 61-16. The Wildcats are making their sixth-straight NCAA Playoff Appearance. The winner of the Washburn/Abilene Christian game will take on the No. 2 seeded Pittsburg State Gorillas in the second round of the playoffs in Pittsburg on Nov. 26.
Game story lines
• With a win over the Wildcats, the Ichabods can clinch their 10th win of the season setting a school record for Washburn. Washburn has recorded two nine-win seasons following the 2005 and 2011 seasons.
• Washburn is 0-1 all-time against the Wildcats falling to ACU in the home opener on Sept. 4, 2010 34-26 in Yager Stadium.
• In postseason play the Ichabods are 3-5 in eight games. Washburn won its 2010 postseason appearance in the Kanza Bowl by topping Midwestern State 45-14. In the NCAA playoffs the Ichabods are 0-2 all-time. Washburn also had NCAA games during the 2005 and 2007 seasons.
• The Washburn Ichabods fell from No. 6 to No. 15 in the latest American Football Coaches top 25 poll which was released on Monday after their loss to Central Missouri. Abilene Christian moved up one spot from 12th to 11th.
• The Ichabods are 0-1 in NCAA Playoff games in Yager Stadium falling to Northwest Missouri 42-32 on Nov. 19, 2005.
Coaches
Washburn head football coach
Craig Schurig was named head coach of the Ichabod football program Dec. 28, 2001. Schurig is 71-43 (.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 71 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 0-1 against Abilene Christian.
Abilene Christian Chris Thomsen is entering his seventh season as the Wildcats' head coach. From a 4-6 debut season
in 2005, Thomsen has led the Wildcats to a combined 51-20 record in the last six seasons. In 2008, the Wildcats won their first Lone Star Conference championship since sharing the crown in 1977 and first
outright league title since 1973.
Notebook
Remembering Jermon
Each game this year, a different players has been wearing No. 20
Jermon Watson who passed away this summer. Against Central Missouri last time out DeJuan Beard, had two touchdown receptions with six catches for 103 yards.
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 49-11 when they score the first points of the ball game. This season Washburn has outscored its opponents 137-52 in the first quarter.
November Action
The Ichabods are 12-9 under head coach
Craig Schurig in November. Since the 2006 season the Ichabods are 8-4 and they have won five of their last six games played in November overall not losing a game in the month since the final game of the 2008 season until the Central Missouri game last week.
Number 9 . . . Number 9 . . . Number 9
Senior signal caller
Dane Simoneau has started the last 39 games … he has gone 27-12 as the Ichabod starting quarterback … he has passed for a school-record 10,651 yards averaging 259.8 yards per game in his career passing … he has thrown for a school-record 98 touchdowns completing 58.7 percent of his career passing attempts … he is third on the MIAA's career total passing chart and needs 41 more yards to move into second … he has thrown for at least 300 yards in a game 18 times … he has recorded 10,526 career total offensive yards which is first on the all-time chart Washburn chart and ranks third on the MIAA's career total offense chart … Simoneau trails only former Missouri Western quarterback Drew Newhart (10,594) and former Mules quarterback Eric Czerniewski (12,978) all-time in the MIAA 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.
Dane Simoneau, WU 2008-pr. 10,651 1216-714 58.7 98
4. Kasey Waterman, MWSU 1998-2001 10,025 1304-730 56.0 98
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.
Dane Simoneau, 2008-pr 10,526 10,651 -125
4. Neal Philpot, PSU 2001-04 10,168 5831 4337
Hanging with Mr. Cooper
Senior running back
Justin Cooper has rushed for 2,553 career yards and 28 career touchdowns … against Central Missouri game he went over the 1,000-yard mark becoming the seventh Ichabod to reach 1,000 yards in a single season … 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 Attempts 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 2,553 566 4.5 28
Fear the Beard
Ichabod sophomore DeJuan Beard leads the team with 58 receptions and 965 receiving yards and he also leads the team and the MIAA with 15 touchdown receptions … he is averaging 87.7 receiving yards per game this season, which is third in the MIAA rankings … Beard has 15 touchdown receptions which is more than double the Washburn sophomore class record of six set by Sam Sissom during the 2003 season … he also now owns the sophomore receiving yards and reception record breaking the previous high of 742 set by Michael Dritlein in 1993.
Garnering Attention
Ichabod sophomore wide receiver
Ronnell Garner, who missed the Fort Hays State game with the flu, is third on the team with 46 receptions while sitting second the team with 842 receiving yards averaging 18.3 yards per catch and 84.2 yards per game … he is tied for second on the team with seven touchdown receptions … he has had at least 100-yards receiving in four games this season.
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 43 of 48 trips into the red zone with 33 touchdowns and ten field goals. Opponents have scored 30 of 37 times in the Ichabod red zone collecting 24 touchdowns with six field goals.
In the Middle
In the middle of the defensive line is senior defensive tackle
Ian Williams who has started 33 of the last 36 games. He has appeared in 42 games recording 82 tackles with 7.5 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.
Folk hero
Senior offensive lineman
Brian Folkerts has started the last 37 games appearing in 41 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. Against Pitt State he played both left and right tackle during the game.
Man of Steel
Senior linebacker
Marty Pfannenstiel has played in 47 career games at Washburn and has started the last 32 games … he has 226 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 122 career solo tackles is tied for 14th in school history.
Taylor Made
Junior linebacker
Jahmil Taylor started the final eight games of the 2010 season and has made 28 career starts appearing in 36 games recording 226 tackles with 18.5 tackles for loss … he is third on the team this season with 83 total tackles.
Showing the Way
Senior fullback
Greg Schoenberg has started 22 games at Washburn rushing for 157 yards with 24 catches for 356 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 seven single-season 1,000-yard rushers at Washburn while recording 34 tackles on special teams appearing in 45 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 5.9 yards per carry this season collecting 700 yards on 119 attempts with five touchdowns averaging 63.6 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 11 games this season after starting two as a redshirt freshman … this season he is second on the team with 90 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss … he is eighth in the MIAA in tackles this season.
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 70 total tackles which is fifth on the team … he leads the team with five pass break ups.
Casey's Countdown Chart Climber
Senior free safety
Casey Curran has recorded 309 career tackles playing in 44 career games making 36 career starts … his tackle total is sixth on the Ichabod all-time tackle chart … his 170 solo tackles rank fifth all-time for the Ichabods and his 139 career assisted tackles is fifth all-time at Washburn.
Rocky Mountain High
Denver native
Dakota Palan-Johnson leads the team with 12.5 tackles for loss for 56 yards while recording a team-high five sacks for 30 yards … he has played in 42 games recording 30.0 tackles for loss which is third all-time at Washburn and his 133 yards in tackles for loss is second at Washburn all-time … he is sixth on the all-time tackles chart with 16.5.
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.
Contemplating Conversions
The Ichabods are 80 of 156 (48.2) on third conversions this season and the Ichabods are holding their opponents to 57 of 163 (35.0) this season … against Central Missouri last time out, the Mules were 4 of 13 on third downs, but were 6 of 6 on fourth down conversions.
About Abilene Christian
The Wildcats are 8-2 and finished the Lone Star Conference schedule with a 7-1 mark placing second in the LSC standings. ACU is led by Harlon Hill regional finalist in junior quarterback Mitchell Gale who is averaging 332 yards through the air passing for 24 touchdowns with six interceptions completing 60 percent of his passing attempts. On the ground the Wildcats are paced by Daryl Richardson who is averaging 69.3 yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry coring 10 touchdowns. Taylor Gabriel leads the team with 869 receiving yards with 58 catches and eight touchdowns. Placekicker Morgan Lineberry has hit 13 of 16 field goals including a 54 yarder last time out against Incarnate Word. He is 8 of 8 from inside 29 yards this season. Punter Spencer Covey is averaging 39.6 yards per punt with five of more than 50 yards. Ganriel is also the teams leading punt returner with an 11.3 yards per punt return average with one for a touchdown. Darlen Williams and Thor Woerner lead the team with 59 tackles. Woerner has eight tackles for loss. Aston Whiteside leads the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and six sacks.
Last time out for Abilene Christian
Nov. 12, 2011 -- ACU Sports Information - ABILENE – Mitchell Gale threw for 327 yards and two touchdowns and Charcandrick West ran for 130 yards and two other scores as No. 12-ranked Abilene Christian University tuned up for the NCAA Division playoffs with a 61-16 win Saturday afternoon in Shotwell Stadium over University of the Incarnate Word.
ACU (8-2 overall and 7-1 in the Lone Star Conference) also picked up two interception returns for scores on defense and held the Cardinals to just 61 yards passing and 11 first downs in a dominating overall performance.
The Wildcats put the game away by reeling off 37 straight points after an early 7-3 lead. Placekickers Morgan Lineberry (20, 25 and 54 yards) and Ryan Owens (29 yards) contributed four field goals, and ACU totaled 594 yards of offense.
Gale threw TD passes of 35 yards to wide receiver Andrew Richards and 31 yards to wide receiver Tony Gabriel in moving to second place on the ACU all-time passing list. He has thrown for 3,317 yards in 2011 and 8,621 in his first three seasons. Gale and Billy Malone are the only two Wildcat quarterbacks to throw for more than 3,000 yards in two consecutive seasons.
The Wildcats picked off UIW quarterback Eric Massoni twice in the third quarter, returning both for touchdowns: Nate Bailey (53 yards) and Thor Woerner (26 yards) were part of a 27-point outburst by ACU that put the game out of reach. Safety Mike Wallace had a third interception of Massoni for ACU.
Daryl Richardson opened the game's scoring with a 12-yard TD run, while West added a 3-yarder and 71-yarder later in the game. Reggie Brown rushed for 94 yards, and Gabriel caught five passes for 111 yards and Darian Hogg added five for 92 yards.
Trent Rios' two rushing touchdowns (10 yards and 2 yards) and a 20-yard field goal by Thomas Rebold accounted for UIW's scoring. The Cardinals (2-8 overall and 2-6 in the LSC) were held by ACU to just 225 yards of total offense.
Series history with Abilene Christian
Saturday's meeting will be the second between the two schools and the first in postseason play. ACU topped the Ichabods 34-26 when the Wildcats were ranked No. 6 and the Ichabods were No. 9 in the AFCA top 25 coaches poll on Sept. 4, 2010 in the home opener in Yager Stadium.
Last meeting between Washburn and Abilene Christian #6 ACU 34, #9 WU 26 • 9/4/10
TOPEKA, Kan. -- The No. 9 Washburn Ichabods fell 34-26 to No. 6 Abilene Christian in front of nearly 6,900 fans on Saturday night in Yager Stadium.
The Ichabods jumped out to the early lead with 5:33 to go in the opening quarter on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by
Vershon Moore and the extra point attempt was missed after a bad snap. The Wildcats returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards to the Ichabod seven, the Ichabod defense held as ACU kicked a 21-yard field goal cutting the Washburn lead in half at 6-3 with 3:31 to go in the opening stanza.
ACU would go up 10-6 after a 9-play, 67-yard drive capped by a 27-yard scamper by Daryl Richardson with 4:58 to go in the first half. ACU would add to the lead on a 51-yard touchdown strike from Mitchell Gale to Edmund Gates stretching the lead to 17-6. After a personal foul called on Gates pushing the kickoff back to the Wildcat 15, the Ichabods took advantage driving 65 yards in six plays on a
Dane Simoneau to
Joe Hastings touchdown hook up from six yards out as the Ichabods pulled to within five at 17-12 with 11 seconds to play in the half.
After tradiing posessions to start the second half, Abilene Christian went up 24-12 on a 4-yard pass from Gale to Emery Dudensign with 3:57 to go in the third quarter. But the Ichabods answered with a 44-yard touchdown catch by Hastings from Simoneau with 2:03 to go in the third quarter to cut the Wildcat lead to 24-19.
The Wildcats stretched the lead to 27-19 on a 33-yard field goal by Morgan Lineberry with 14:17 to play in the game and would pull out to a 15-point lead at 34-19 with 4:23 to go in the game. Washburn again answered with a toucdown drive of 80 yards capped by a Moore 1-yard run on a fourth and one from the ACU one yard line pulling the Ichabods within eight at 34-26.
The Ichabods forced a three-and-out on the Wildcats, but the punt was bobbled turning possession back to the Wildcats with seven seconds left and would then end the game with a single knee sealing the 34-26 win.
The Ichabods led the Wildcats in first downs (22 to 18), rushing (126 to 96) and passing (442 to 342). Moore led the Ichabods on the ground with 66 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Simoneau finished 19 of 25 for 316 yards and two scores - both going to Hastings who finished the game with seven catches for 156 yards.Defensively, the Ichabods were led by
Michael Hollins with 10 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Marty Pfannenstiel had nine tackles.
Gale finished 24 for 30 for 247 and three scores with Richardson finished with 74 yards on 21 carries. Kevin Washington had 10 tackles with three tackles for loss and one sack.
Last time out for Washburn: UCM 39, #6 WU 21 • 11/12/11
TOPEKA, Kan. -- The No. 6-ranked Washburn Ichabods fell behind 14-0 and could never recover in a 39-21 loss to Central Missouri. The Mules (8-3, 6-3 MIAA) scored on their first two drives of the game jumping out to the early lead. UCM's first score was on a Tommy Corwin 1-yard plunge with 9:02 to go in the opening dive and after a Washburn turnover on downs, Corwin led the Mules on a 4-play, 40-yard drive capped by a pass to LaVance Taylor for 12 yards putting UCM up 14-0.
The Ichabods would cut the lead to 7 at 14-7 when
Dane Simoneau hit DeJuan Beard on a 4th and 21 from the Central Missouri 26 for a touchdown with 5:14 remaining in the first half.
The Mules responded with an 81-yard drive covering 13 plays when Corwin hit Jamar Howard for an 18-yard strike putting UCM up 20-7 with 2:21 left in the half.
The Mules would score the first points of the second half when Corwin hit David Cannon for a 12-yard pass adding to the Mules' 27-7 lead. The Ichabods returned serve as Simoneau hooked up with Beard for a 42-yard touchdown pass pulling the Ichabods back within 13 at 27-14 with 5:24 remaining in the third quarter.
However the Mules would stretch their lead back to 19 after Camren Torneden scored from 1-yard out with 34 seconds remaining staking Central Missouri to a 33-14 lead.
On the Ichabods' ensuing drive, Simoneau was picked off and off a tipped ball, Alexis Reedus returned an interception 49 yards for the score and a 39-14 Central Missouri lead after the Mules missed their second extra point attempt of the afternoon.
Simoneau threw his third touchdown pass of the day to Tore Hurst, this time on a 7-yard pass with 12:53 remaining wrapping up the scoring for both teams at the 39-21 win for the Mules.
Simoneau finished with 337 yards passing on 29 of 50 with the three scores.
Ronnell Garner had seven catches for 102 yards while Beard finished with six catches for 103 yards and the two scores.
Justin Cooper had 46 yards on 11 carries.
Corwin was 28 of 38 passing with three scores for 314 yards. Taylor Dyer led the Mules with six catches with 122 yards while Taylor had 93 yards rushing for 14 carries.
Jahmil Taylor and
Casey Curran each had 12 tackles with 8 solo stops each to lead the Ichabods.
Patrick Lewis had eight tackles along with Devin King to lead the Mules.
The Mules finished with 29 first downs recording 481 yards of total offense while Washburn had 20 first downs and 385 yards of total offense. The Ichabods were limited to a season-low 48 yards on the ground.
Ichabods in postseason play
The Washburn Ichabods are their third NCAA Postseason appearance joining the 2005 and 2007 teams. Washburn has also played in six bowl games their ninth overall postseason appearance. The Ichabods are 3-5 in postseason appearances. Following are the games the Ichabods have appeared in. The Aztec Bowl is not counted in the postseason records, as the bowl game was considered an exhibition game and therefore not counted in the Ichabods overall win-loss record for the 1986 season as the game was not played against collegiate competition.
Record – 3-5
11/30/74 - Boot Hill Bowl - Dodge City, Kan.
Washburn 21, Millikin (Ill.) 7
11/20/76 - Boot Hill Bowl - Dodge City, Kan.
Benedictine 29, Washburn 14
12/6/86 - NAIA Quarterfinals - Pittsburg, Kan.
Pittsburg State 58, Washburn 24
11/27/88 - NAIA Quarterfinals - Monticello, Ark.
Arkansas-Monticello 20, Washburn 13
12/20/86 - Aztec Bowl - Exhibition - Mexico City, Mexico
Washburn 27, Mexican All-Stars 8
12/4/04 - Mineral Water Bowl - Excelsior Springs, Mo.
Washburn 36, Northern State 33
11/19/05 - NCAA Second Round Playoffs - Topeka, Kan.
Northwest Missouri 42, Washburn 32
11/17/07 – NCAA First Round Playoffs - Canyon, Texas
West Texas A&M 40, Washburn 39
12/04/10 – Kanza Bowl - Topeka, Kan.
Washburn 45, Midwestern State 14
Bod notes ... three dot thoughts ...
Dane Simoneau has completed 70 of 115 (60 percent) of his passes on third down this season while converting 56 first downs and 11 touchdowns … on plays of at least third and 10 - Simoneau is 60 of 94 for 46 first downs and nine touchdowns … DeJuan Beard has been thrown to 27 times on third down and he has pulled down 20 passes with 17 going for first downs with five touchdowns and overall 46 of Beard's 58 receptions have gone for first downs this season …
Justin Cooper is averaging 5.4 yards per carry on first downs and 5.5 yards per carry on second down … of
Bryce Atagi's 90 tackles, 56 have come against the run …
Casey Curran leads the team with 95 total tackles and a team-best 39 tackles have come on passing plays … Washburn's average starting field position this season has been its on 33 while opponents are averaging a starting field position of their own 32 … Simoneau is the only Ichabod quarterback to throw for at least 3,000 yards in a season - and he's now done that twice in the last two seasons …
Michael Hollins had a career-high 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss against Abilene Christian in the 2010 meeting.
Washburn Football History
Washburn is 514-555-44 (.478) in the 121st year of Ichabod football.
A win for Washburn over Abilene Christian would ...
lift the Ichabods to 515-555-44 in their football history … move the Ichabods to 10-2 on the season for first time under head coach
Craig Schurig … set a school record for the most wins in a season … even the all-time series with Abilene Christian to 1-1 … be the Ichabods first NCAA postseason playoff win improving them to 1-2 all-time … send the Ichabods to Pittsburg State for a Nov. 26th second round match up against the Gorillas.
A Loss for Washburn would ...
drop the Ichabods to 514-556-44 in their football history … end the Ichabods season at 9-3 … drop the Ichabods to 0-2 all-time against Abilene Christian … drop the Ichabods to 0-3 all-time in NCAA postseason play.
The loss against Central Missouri revisited ... the loss
drop the Ichabods to 514-555-44 in their football history … was the Mules' second straight win over the Ichabods … gave the Mules a 23-18-2 all-time series lead over Washburn … was the Mules' first win in Topeka since a 28-14 win on Sept. 22, 2007.
The Ichabods in the national polls
The Washburn Ichabods fell from No. 6 to No. 15 in the latest American Football Coaches top 25 poll which was released on Monday after their loss to Central Missouri. Washburn has been ranked in the top 25 in the last 12 polls and has received votes in 38 of the last 39 polls by the American Football Coaches Association.
Up next
With a win the Ichabods would advance to the second round of the NCAA playoffs facing Pittsburg State on Nov. 26 on the road in Pittsburg. With a loss, the Ichabods will end their season at 9-3 and not take the field until the 2012 season opener when they will face MIAA-member-to-be Nebraska-Kearney in a game scheduled for Sept. 1.
