Kickoff
The No. 15 Washburn Ichabods will play their second round game of the NCAA playoffs heading to MIAA foe Pittsburg State on Nov. 26 at 1 p.m. in Carnie Smith Stadium. Washburn (10-2) defeated the Gorillas 43-25 in the regular season meeting on Nov. 5. The Ichabods defeated Abilene Christian in the first round of the playoffs on Nov. 19. The Gorillas (9-1) are the No. 2 seed in Super Region 4 and had a first round bye. The winner of the Washburn/Pittsburg State game will take on the winner of the No. 5 seed Northwest Missouri and the top-seeded Midwestern State Mustangs on Dec. 3 in the NCAA national quarterfinals at a site to be determined.

First Look Game center: #15 Washburn at #7 Pittsburg State Date/Time: Saturday, Nov. 26 at 1 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 60-23-1. Series Notes:  The Ichabods have won the last three games in the series and five of the last seven overall. The Ichabods have won two straight in Pittsburg including a 43-25 win over the Gorillas on Nov. 5 earlier this season.

Washburn Ichabods (10-2) Football Page Roster Statistics Schedule Game Notes Athletic Website

Pittsburg State (9-1) Football Page Roster Statistics Schedule Game Notes Athletic Website

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Game story lines
• The Ichabods are looking for their second NCAA playoff win after securing the program's first in the win over Abilene Christian last week.
• Saturday's game will be the second, second round NCAA appearance game for the Ichabods. The Ichabods received a first round bye during the 2005 playoffs and fell to Northwest Missouri 42-32 on Nov. 19, 2005 in Yager Stadium.
• The Ichabods recorded their 10th win of the season setting a school record for single-seasons wins over Abilene Christian.
• Saturday's game will be the second time the Ichabods and the Gorllas have played in the postseason. The Ichabods fell to the Gorillas on Dec. 6, 1986 in the first round of the NAIA playoffs. The Gorillas won 58-24. In that game the Ichabods jumped out to a 10-0 lead before the Gorillas scored 24 unanswered points. PSU scored 27 more points in the fourth quarter to win going away.
• The Ichabods are in search of their fourth-straight win over the Gorillas and the third-straight win in Pittsburg. The last time the Ichabods topped the Gorillas in four straight games was a winning streak during the 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1949 seasons when Washburn won four in a row over Pitt State.
• In postseason play the Ichabods are 4-5 in nine games. Washburn won its 2010 postseason appearance in the Kanza Bowl by topping Midwestern State 45-14. In the NCAA playoffs the Ichabods improved to 1-2 all-time with their first NCAA win over Abilene Christian last week.
• The Ichabods improved to 1-1 in NCAA Playoff games in Yager Stadium after beating ACU last week. The other game was a loss to Northwest Missouri 42-32 on Nov. 19, 2005 in a second round NCAA playoff game.

Coaches
Washburn head football coach Craig Schurig was named head coach of the Ichabod football program Dec. 28, 2001. Schurig is 72-43 (.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 three 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 as well as the Ichabods' first 10-win season and their first NCAA or NAIA playoff game victory in school history with a win over Abilene Christian on Nov. 19. Schurig's 72 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 5-5 against Pittsburg State.
Pittsburg State head coach Tim Beck is 15-7 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 0-2 against Washburn.

Notebook
Remembering Jermon
Each game this year, a different players has been wearing No. 20 Jermon Watson who passed away this summer. In the Ichabods' playoff win over Abilene Christian, Bryce Atagi had five tackles with 1.5 sacks.

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 13-9 under head coach Craig Schurig in November. Since the 2006 season the Ichabods are 9-4 and they have won six of their last seven games played in November.

Number 9 . . . Number 9 . . . Number 9
Senior signal caller Dane Simoneau has started the last 40 games … he has gone 28-12 as the Ichabod starting quarterback … he has passed for a school-record 11,075 yards, which ranks 13th all-time in NCAA Division II … he has averaged 263.7 yards per game in his career passing … he has thrown for a school-record 100 touchdowns - which is 17th all-time in NCAA Division II … he has completed 58.7 percent of his career passing attempts … he is second on the MIAA's career total passing chart … he has thrown for at least 300 yards in a game 19 times and for 400 yards two times including the NCAA playoff win over Abilene Christian … he has recorded 10,939 career total offensive yards which is first on the all-time chart Washburn chart and second on the MIAA's career total offense chart … Simoneau trails only former Mules quarterback Eric Czerniewski on the MIAA's passing (12,847) and total offense chart (12,978) all-time in the MIAA history.
 
MIAA Career Passing Chart              Yards     Att-Comp    Pct    TD's
1.    Eric Czerniewski, UCM 2006-10    12,847    1678-1043   62.2   107
2.    Dane Simoneau, WU 2008-pr.       11, 075   1255-737    58.7   100
3.    Drew Newhart, MWSU 2007-10       10,691    1348-817    60.1   95

MIAA Career Total Offense Chart        Yards     Passing    Rushing    
1.    Eric Czerniewski, UCM, 2006-10   12,978    12,847     131
2.    Dane Simoneau, 2008-pr                   10,939    11,075     -136
3.    Drew Newhart, MWSU 2007-10       10,594    10,691     -97    

Hanging with Mr. Cooper
Senior running back Justin Cooper has rushed for 2,660 career yards and 32 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  … Cooper has rushed for 1,150 yards this season which is fourth on the Washburn single-season chart and needs 54 yards to snap the school record of 1,203 set by Trent Hearn during the 2005 season … his 17 rushing touchdowns this season is a senior class record breaking a 30-year old record of 13 set by Kevin McCormick set in 1971 … this season, Cooper is averaging a career-best 5.1 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 … in scoring his four touchdowns against Abilene Christian he raised his career scoring total to 206 points on 34 touchdowns with one 2-point conversion making him the eighth Ichabod to score at least 200 points in a career … he is five points from moving into fifth in school history.

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       2,660    590         4.5    32

Fear the Beard
Ichabod sophomore DeJuan Beard leads the team with 61 receptions and 1,017 receiving yards and he also leads the team and the MIAA with 15 touchdown receptions … he is averaging 84.8 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 … against Abilene Christian, Beard also played some defensive back and recorded a pass break up on the last play of the first half and an interception in the end zone and returned it 42 yards ending one of ACU's fourth quarter scoring threats.

Garnering Attention
Ichabod sophomore wide receiver Ronnell Garner, who missed the Fort Hays State game with the flu, is third on the team with 50 receptions while sitting second the team with 937 receiving yards averaging 18.7 yards per catch and 85.2 yards per game … he is second on the team with eight touchdown receptions … he has had at least 100-yards receiving in five games this season … if Garner were to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the season receiving, it would be the first time in school history that two Ichabod receivers would go over the 1,000-yard mark in the same season joining Beard who enters the PSU game with 1,017.

Ichabods in Non-conference Action
Since joining the NCAA ranks, the Ichabods are 24-17 in non-MIAA games. Under head coach Craig Schurig, the Ichabods are 16-6 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 49 of 54 trips into the red zone with 38 touchdowns and 11 field goals. Opponents have scored 33 of 40 times in the Ichabod red zone collecting 27 touchdowns with six field goals.

In the Middle
In the middle of the defensive line is senior defensive tackle Ian Williams who has started 34 of the last 37 games. He has appeared in 43 games recording 83 tackles with 8.0 for loss and 4.5 sacks … he has also blocked three field goal and extra point attempts in his career including one against Emporia State on Oct. 1 … he recorded a career-high seven tackles against Pittsburg State in an Oct. 17, 2009 meeting.

Folk hero
Senior offensive lineman Brian Folkerts has started the last 38 games appearing in 42 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 in the first meeting earlier this season.

Man of Steel
Senior linebacker Marty Pfannenstiel has played in 48 career games at Washburn and has started the last 33 games … he has 238 total career tackles after tying for the team lead with 91 tackles as a junior in 2010 … he recorded his team-high fourth interception against Abilene Christian last week … his 129 career solo tackles is tied for 12th in school history.

Taylor Made
Junior linebacker Jahmil Taylor started the final eight games of the 2010 season and has made 29 career starts appearing in 37 games recording 238 tackles with 21.0 tackles for loss … he is tied for second on the team this season with 95 total tackles after recording 91 tackles as a sophomore … his 238 total tackles is 12th all-time at Washburn.

Showing the Way
Senior fullback Greg Schoenberg has started 23 games at Washburn rushing for 157 yards with 26 catches for 383 yards and three touchdowns with two coming against Truman on Oct. 15 earlier this season … 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 35 tackles on special teams appearing in 46 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 5.6 yards per carry this season collecting 729 yards on 130 attempts with six touchdowns averaging 60.8 yards per game … he recorded a rushing touchdown in the NCAA opener against Abilene Christian.

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 earlier this season … Atagi has started all 12 games this season after starting two as a redshirt freshman … this season he is tied for second on the team with 95 tackles and 10.0 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 75 total tackles which is fifth on the team … he leads the team with six pass break ups.

Casey's Countdown Chart Climber
Senior free safety Casey Curran has recorded 316 career tackles playing in 45 career games making 37 career starts … his tackle total is sixth on the Ichabod all-time tackle chart … his 176 solo tackles rank fourth all-time for the Ichabods and his 140 career assisted tackles is fifth all-time at Washburn.

Rocky Mountain High
Denver native Dakota Palan-Johnson leads the team with 14.5 tackles for loss for 65 yards while recording a team-high seven sacks for 39 yards … he has played in 43 games recording 32.0 tackles for loss which is third all-time at Washburn and his 142 yards in tackles for loss is second at Washburn all-time … he is fifth on the all-time sacks  chart with 18.5.

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 89 of 181 (49 percent) on third conversions this season and the Ichabods are holding their opponents to 64 of 178 (36 percent) this season … against Abilene Christian last time out, the Wildcats were 7 of 15 on third downs and were 2 of 3 on fourth down conversion attempts.

About Pittsburg State
The Gorillas enter the game with a 9-1 overall record winning the MIAA title with an 8-1 conference mark. Pitt State is ranked No. 7 in the latest AFCA top 25 coaches poll and earned the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Super Region 4 rankings. The Gorillas have the No. 1-ranked scoring defense in the MIAA allowing just 20.0 points per game which is ranked 26th in the NCAA national rankings and the top-ranked total defensive unit as well allowing 305.5 yards per game, which is 29th in the national rankings. Offensively, the Gorillas have the MIAA's top-ranked rushing game racking up 271 yards per game on the ground which is sixth in the nation while ranking fourth in total offense at 451.7 yards per game which is 20th in the nation. Through the air, Pitt State is ranked seventh in the MIAA averaging 180 yards per game. Quarterback Zac Dickey ranks fifth in the MIAA in rushing at 80.1 yards per game and running back Briceton Wilson is sixth with 74.1 yards per game rushing. When Dickey does pass the ball, he is ranked third in the conference in passing efficiency completing 65 percent of his passes for 1,464 yards with 10 touchdown passes and six interceptions. John Brown is the team's leading receiving with 40 catches for 744 yards averaging 18.6 yards per catch for eight touchdowns. He is averaging 152.8 yards per game in all purpose yards and he ranks sixth in the nation in kickoff returns averaging 29.93 yards per reutrn. He returned a kickoff 100 yards against the Ichabods in the first meeting. Brown is 10th in the nation in punt returns averaging 15.1 yards per return. Defensively Nate Dreiling is third in the MIAA with 9.3 tackles per game which is 41st in the nation. Gus Toca is averaging 1.2 tackles for loss per game.
 
Last time out for Pittsburg State
Nov. 12, 2011 -- PITTSBURG — John Brown rushed for three touchdowns and caught a pair of scoring passes as well to lead No. 9 Pitt State to a 51-28 victory over Missouri Southern Saturday (Nov. 12) in the Sonic Miner's Bowl at Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium.
Pitt State captured its first MIAA title since 2004 and the program's 11th MIAA crown since joining the conference in 1989. The Gorillas also claimed their 30th all-time conference title in the 104-year history of the Pitt State football program.
The Gorillas jumped out to a fast 20-0 lead on the Lions, capitalizing on windy conditions in the opening period.
Pitt State forced Southern into a 3-and-out and a 10-yard punt to grab the ball at the MSSU 28 to start the game. Four plays later, Eric Love slammed into the end zone from four yards out for a 7-0 lead.
The Gorillas forced another 3-and-out and MSSU's punt went just nine yards into the wind before Pitt State's De'Vante Bausby scooped it up and sprinted 19 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead with 10:06 to play in the first quarter.
Brown added a four-yard scoring run with 2:10 remaining in the period to give Pitt State a 20-0 advantage. Chase McCoy's extra-point attempt was blocked.
The Lions countered by scoring 22 points in the final 5:29 of the second quarter to jump back into the game.
Bryant Venson broke loose for a 29-yard scoring run and Kellen Cox then carried the ball in for a successful 2-point conversion to cut the margin to 20-8.
Moments later, Zac Dickey hit Brown for a 76-yard touchdown pass to make it 27-8 with 4:14 to play in the first half.
Southern's Collin Howard then countered with a 72-yard scoring connection to Ne'Ronte Threatt to make it a 27-15 game at the 3:30 mark of the period; and the Lions then tackled PSU punter Jake Craig on a botched punt attempt at the PSU 18 to set up a final scoring drive.
Kyle Webster, who rushed eight times for 91 yards in the contest, ran the ball in from nine yards out to make it a 27-22 contest with 1:16 remaining in the period.
Dickey converted a big 36-yard third-down pass to Brown on PSU's ensuing drive and the Gorillas turned the drive into a 29-yard field goal by McCoy and a 30-22 halftime advantage.
Brown added scoring runs of one yard and 25 yards and then capped Pitt State's offensive output with a 13-yard catch from Dickey midway through the fourth quarter. He finished the game with five receptions for a career-high 146 yards and he rushed the ball four times for 34 yards.
Dickey completed 14 of 25 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He also rushed 17 times for 56 net yards. Howard was 23-for-42 passing for 245 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions for the Lions. Threatt had eight grabs for 107 yards and two scores. Elijah Olabode made seven tackles with an interception and three pass breakups for the Gorillas, while Gus Toca logged 3.0 quarterback sacks and four tackles-for-loss in the game.

Series history with Pittsburg State
Saturday's meeting is the 85th meeting in the series. The Gorillas lead the all-time series 60-23-1. Washburn has won five of the last seven games played including the first meeting earlier this season on Nov. 5 43-25 for its second straight in Pittsburg including last season's 35-34 double overtime win in Carnie Smith Stadium on Oct. 16, 2010.  
 
Last meeting between Washburn and Pittsburg State: #9 WU 43, #2 PSU • 10/05/11
PITTSBURG, Kan. -- The No. 9 Washburn Ichabods used a 24-point second quarter while adding 16 more in the 4th quarter en route to a 43-25 win over No. 2 Pittsburg State in Carnie Smith Stadium.
After neither team scored in the first quarter, the team erupted for 37-combined points with 21 points coming in a two minutes and two seconds timeline. After Ryan Mertz put the Ichabods (9-1, 7-1 MIAA) out in front on an 18-yard touchdown reception from Dane Simonau, the Gorillas (8-1, 7-1 MIAA) fumbled on their first play from scrimmage and Washburn recovered. The Ichabod drive stalled and Jeremy Linn hit what would be the first of three field goals on the day from 23-yards out putting Washburn up 10-0 with 5:53 left in the first half.
On the ensuing kickoff, Pitt State's John Brown returned a 100-yard kickoff for a score pulling the Gorillas with three at 10-7. On the second play of the next Ichabod drive, Washburn fumbled the ball and Paul Robinson returned it 28 yards for a score putting the Gorillas up 13-10 after the extra point attempt was blocked.
The Ichabods scored on the next drive covering 53 yards after Simoneau hit Tore Hurst on a 3-yard touchdown pass with 2:22 left in the opening half. After the teams traded drives before the halftime break the Gorillas were driving, but Briceton WIlson fumbled after a hit by Willie Williams and Devon Connors scooped it up and beat Zac Dickey to the corner of the end zone from 52 yards away putting the Ichabods up 24-13 at the break.
After the Gorillas missed a 40-yard field goal on their first drive of the second half, Washburn's Linn hit a 39-yard field goal stretching Washburn's lead to 27-13 with 4:53 to play in the third quarter for the only points of the 15 minute period.
Linn opened the scoring in the fourth quarter with a 41-yard attempt with 11:33 to play staking Washburn to a 30-13 lead. On the pooch kick, Brandon Downing recovered the ball setting up a Justin Cooper 3-yard touchdown run putting the Ichabods up 37-13 with 9:46 to play in the game.
The Gorillas Dickey hit Brown for a 32-yard touchdown score pulling Pitt State within 37-19 with 9:05 to play in the game. After the teams were both whistled for offsides on the kickoffs, the Gorillas recovered the third onsides attempt and then Dickey hit Brown again - this time for a 41-yard score making the score 37-25 with 8:03 to play.
The Gorillas would then recover a second onside kick attempt, the Washburn defense would hold. The Ichabods then fumbled the ball back to Pitt State and again the defense held the Gorillas on downs.
Cooper then put Washburn up 43-25 on a 74-yard touchdown run to wrap up the scoring and the Washburn win.
Cooper finished with 159 yards on the ground and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Sean McPherson had 70 yards on 15 carries leading the Ichabods to 225 yards on the ground. Simoneau was 25 of 46 for 290 yards and two touchdowns while being sacked only once. DeJuan Beard had eight catches for 116 ayrds while Matt Kobbeman had six catches for 68 yards.
Casey Curran had 10 tackles to lead the Ichabods and Jahmil Taylor had nine tackles and a tackle for loss.
Washburn finished the game with 515 total yards while holding the Gorillas to 330 while also racking up 26 first downs. The Ichabods also led in time of possession 36:10 to 23:50.

Last time out for Washburn: #15 WU 52, #11 ACU 49 • 11/19/11
TOPEKA, Kan. -- The No. 15 Washburn Ichabods won their school-record 10th win of the season winning their first playoff game in school history in a 52-49 win over No. 11 Abilene Christian in the opening round of the NCAA playoffs in Yager Stadium.
The Ichabods (10-2) scored on the opening drive of the game when Justin Cooper scored from 14-yards out to put Washburn on the board with 11:24 to play. However Abilene Christian (8-3) needed only 2:33 to tie the score when Daryl Richardson scored on a 12-yard run with 8:57 to play in the game.
Washburn regained the lead when Cooper scored his second touchdown of the day, this one on a 12-yard scamper putting Washburn up 14-7 following the kick by Jeremy Linn. As they did after the first Washburn score, the Wildcats knotted the score after using a 13-play, 80-yard drive in 6:14 off the clock capped by a Mitchell Gale run from 3-yards out on a fourth and one from the ichabod three yard line.
On the first play of the second quarter, Dane Simoneau connected with Matt Kobbeman on a 67-yard touchdown strike to put Washburn back in front 21-14 following the PAT as the drive was only two plays taking 42 seconds off the clock. After the ensuing kickoff, the Wildcats kept up with the quick scoring pace needing only 1:09 to tie the score back at 21 after Gale connected with Demarcus Thompson on a 73-yard touchdown pass.
Washburn took over on its next drive and moved the ball to the Wildcat 18, but the drive stalled and Linn connected on a 35-yard field goal to put the Ichabods back infront 24-21 with 9:04 to play in the opening half.
ACU took over but the Ichabod defense held them to a punt which was partially blocked but rolled tot he ACU 41 and the Ichabods took over and went up 31-21 after Cooper scored from 9-yards out with 5:27 to go in the half on his third touchdown run of the afternoon.
After another three-and-out by the Wildcats, the Ichabod drove 50 yards in eight plays as Sean McPherson scored on a 4-yard run with 1:07 to play in the half increasing the Ichabod lead to 38-21.
To start the third quarter, ACU's Gale was picked off by Marty Pfannenstiel with his fourth interception of the season. Cooper scored touchdown No. 4 on a 5-yard run with 9:54 to go stretching the Ichabod lead out to 45-21.
Then the Wildcats would score 21 unanswered points to pull them back within three at 42-45. During the run, Gale hit Taylor Gabriel on scores of 71- and 10-yards while hitting Richardson on a 34-yard pass to cut the Ichabod lead to three.
Washburn then wrapped up their scoring with 4:10 remaining in the game when Simoneau connected with Ronnell Garner on a 61-yard play on a third and 23 from the Washburn 39 yard line putting Washburn up 52-42.
On Abilene Christian's next drive, Ichabod wide receiver turned defensive back DeJuan Beard picked off Gale at the Ichabod 8-yard line and returned it 43 yards to the ACU 49. The Ichabods would go three-and-out forced into a punt.
ACU's Charcandrick West scored from 29 yards out to pull ACU within three at 52-49, but the onside kick was recovered by Pfannenstiel and the Ichabods ran out the clock with two snaps to secure their first playoff victory - NAIA or NCAA and their 10th win of the season.
Cooper finished with 107 yards rushing and the four scores while Simoneau was 23 of 39 for 424 yards and two touchdowns - his second one of the day to Garner was his 100th in his Washburn career. Kobbeman finished with 131 yards receving on six catches while Garner had 95 on four catches.
Richardson finished with 132 yards on the ground on 16 carries while adding a team-high 115 yards receiving on 10 catches racking up 247 all-purpose yards. Gale would throw for 506 yards completing 29 of 48 passes with four scores and three interceptions. Gabriel (119) and Cantu-Harkless (117) also reached the century mark in receiving yards.
Defensively, Jahmil Taylor and Pfannenstiel each had 12 tackles - Taylor had 10 solo stops to go along with 2.5 sacks for 10 yards as the Ichabods finished with seven sacks on the afternoon. Darien Williams had eight tackles, as did Thor Woerner to lead the Wildcats.  

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 and three NCAA games making Saturday's match up with the Gorllas their tenth overall game. The Ichabods are 4-5 in postseason appearances and won their first playoff game against Abilene Christian last time out. 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 – 4-5
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
11/19/11 – NCAA First Round Playoffs - Topeka, Kan.
Washburn 52, Abilene Christian 49

Bod notes ... three dot thoughts ...
Dane Simoneau has completed 82 of 134 (61 percent) of his passes on third down this season while converting 66 first downs and 13 touchdowns … on plays of at least third and 10, Simoneau is 68 of 106 for 53 first downs and ten 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 49 of Beard's 61 receptions have gone for first downs this season … Justin Cooper is averaging 5.3 yards per carry on first downs and 5.2 yards per carry on second down … of Casey Curran's team-high 102 tackles, 57 have come against the rush anf 44 have come against the pass … Bryce Atagi's has recorded 58 tackles against the run this season and Jahmil Taylor has recorded 66 of his 95 tackles against the rush this season … Washburn's average starting field position this season has been its on 34 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 and he needs 123 yards to reach 4,000 for a single season … … Simoneau threw for six touchdowns against Pitt State tying a Washburn record on Oct. 17, 2009 … Willie Williams forced two fumbles against the Gorillas in the Nov. 5 meeting earlier this season.

Ichabod team and individual Season records within reach
Individual Record        2011 Stats              Current Record, Year
Rushing Yards            Justin Cooper (1,150)   Trent Hearn (1,203), 2005
Rushing Touchdowns       Justin Cooper (20)      Trent Hearn (20), 2005
Passing Attempts         Dane Simoneau (442)     Simoneau (442), 2011
Passing Completions      Dane Simoneau (266)     Simoneau (266), 2011
Passing Yards            Dane Simoneau (3,873)   Simoneau (3,873), 2011
Passing Touchdowns       Dane Simoneau (36)      Simoneau (36), 2011
Completion Percentage    Dane Simoneau (60.2)    Simoneau (60.2), 2009
Passing Yards Per Game   Dane Simoneau (322.8)   Simoneau (288.2), 2010
Touchdown Receptions     DeJuan Beard (15)       Slusser (20), 1988
Total Offense            Dane Simoneau (3,853)   Simoneau (3,853), 2011
TDs Responsible For      Dane Simoneau (36)      Simoneau (36), 2011
Single Season Points     Justin Cooper (108)     Troy Slusser (128), 1988
PAT Kicks Made           Jeremy Linn (55)        Connor Sabel (59), 2005    
PATs Attempted           Jeremy Linn (59)        Linn (59), 2011 / Sabel (59),2005

Team Records
Passing Completions      278                     278 (2011)
Passing Yards            4,089                   4,089 (2011)
Passing Touchdowns       37                      37 (2011)
Completion Percentage    59.8                    59.3 (1983)
Passing Yards Per Game   340.8                   299.2 (2010)
Receiving Yards          4,089                   4,089 (2011)
Receptions Per Game      22.6                    25.7 (1980)
Total Offense Yards      6,022                   6,022 (2011)
Total Offense Per Game   501.8                   473.5 (2009)
All Purpose Yards        7,080                   7,080 (2011)
All Purpose YPG          590.0                   594.5 (2009)
Scoring                  480                     480 (2011)
TDs Responsible For      101                     101 (2011)
Touchdowns Scored        64                      64 (2011)

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.
• There will be a sibling rivalry going on the field during the game with a pair of brothers facing each other in Ichabod freshman defensive tackle Tyler Ewy and Gorilla senior long-snapper Billy Ewy.

Washburn Football History
Washburn is 515-555-44 (.478) in the 121st year of Ichabod football.

A win for Washburn over Pittsburg State would ...
lift the Ichabods to 516-555-44 in their football history … move the Ichabods to 11-2 on the season for first time under head coach Craig Schurig … set a school record for the most wins in a season … be the Ichabods' fourth straight win over the Gorillas …be the third straight win over the Gorillas in Pittsburg …be the first time since the 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1949 seasons the Ichabods had beaten the Gorillas four straight games … advance the Ichabods to the NCAA national quarterfinals in a match up against the winner of the Midwestern State and Northwest Missouri on Dec. 3.

A Loss for Washburn would ...
drop the Ichabods to 515-556-44 in their football history … end the Ichabods season at 10-3 … snap a three-game winning streak over the Gorillas … be the Gorillas first win over the Ichabods since a 48-17 win on Nov. 1, 2008 in Pittsburg.

The win against Abilene Christian revisited ... the win
lifted the Ichabods to 515-555-44 in their football history … moved 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 … evened the all-time series with Abilene Christian to 1-1 … was the Ichabods first NCAA postseason playoff win improving them to 1-2 all-time … was the 10th of the season for the Ichabods - Washburn had recorded nine wins in a season two other times … the Ichabods were 0-2 in the NCAA playoffs falling in 2005 to Northwest Missouri and in 2007 to West Texas A&M … Dane Simoneau moved into second place on the MIAA's career passing chart raising his career total to 11,075 while throwing with 100th career touchdown trailing Central Missouri's Eric Czerniewski for second in both yards (12,847) and touchdown passes (107).

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 NCAA National Quarterfinals against the winner of the Midwestern State and Northwest Missouri game. With a loss, the Ichabods will end their season at 10-3 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.