Kickoff
The No. 6-ranked Washburn Ichabods will honor 12 seniors in the regular season home finale when they will play host to the Central Missouri Mules at 1 p.m. on Nov. 12 in Yager Stadium. The Ichabods (9-1, 7-1 MIAA) are coming off a 43-25 win over then-ranked No. 2 Pittsburg State handing the Gorillas their first loss of the season pulling Washburn into a first-place tie in the conference standings. The Mules (7-3, 5-3 MIAA) defeated future MIAA foe Lindenwood 47-28 last time out.
Game story lines
• With a win over the Mules, the Ichabods can clinch at least a share of their second MIAA Championship and their first since the 2005 season.
• A win would also clinch the Ichabods 10th win of the season setting a school record for Washburn. Washburn has recorded two nine-win seasons following the 2005 and 2011 seasons.
• A championship would the Washburn's ninth in school history joining the teams from the 1907, 1931, 1949, 1953, 1954, 1964, 1983, 2005 seasons.
• The Washburn Ichabods jumped three spots from No. 9 to No. 6 in the latest American Football Coaches top 25 poll which was released on Monday after their win over Pittsburg State.
• Washburn was ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Super Region 4 rankings after being ranked No. 4 in the first two polls. 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. Central Missouri enters the game ranked No. 10 in the regional rankings.
Coaches
Washburn head football coach
Craig Schurig was named head coach of the Ichabod football program Dec. 28, 2001. Schurig is 71-42 (.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 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 3-6 against Central Missouri.
Central Missouri head coach Jim Svoboda Central Missouri head coach Jim Svoboda is in his second season at the helm of the UCM program. His record at UCM stands at 18-6 after he led the Mules to a record-setting 11-3 campaign in his first year in 2010. UCM set a school record with 11 wins, hosted the first ever playoff game in school history and captured the school's first playoff win with a 55-35 win over West Texas A&M. He is 1-0 against Washburn.
Notebook
Remembering Jermon
This week wearing No. 20 against Central Missouri in remembrance of
Jermon Watson is DeJuan Beard, who normally wears No. 17. Last week against Pittsburg State,
Justin Cooper rushed for 159 yards on 28 carries adding two touchdowns.
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 137-28 in the first quarter. The Pitt State game was the first time this season the Ichabods had not scored in the first quarter.
November Action
The Ichabods are 12-8 under head coach
Craig Schurig in November. Since the 2006 season the Ichabods are 8-3 and they have won their last five 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 38 games … he has gone 27-11 as the Ichabod starting quarterback … he has passed for a school-record 10,314 yards averaging 257.9 yards per game in his career passing … he has thrown for a school-record 95 touchdowns completing 58.7 percent of his career passing attempts … he has thrown for at least 300 yards in a game 17 times … he has recorded 10,202 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. 10,314 1166-685 58.7 95
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 10,202 10,314 -112
4. Neal Philpot, PSU 2001-04 10,168 5831 4337
Hanging with Mr. Cooper
Senior running back
Justin Cooper has rushed for 2,507 career yards and 28 career touchdowns … he enters the Central Missouri game with 997 yards needing three more to become the seventh Ichabod to reach 1,000 yards in a single season … this season, Cooper is averaging a career-best 5.3 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 2,507 555 4.5 28
Fear the Beard
Ichabod sophomore DeJuan Beard leads the team with 52 receptions and 862 receiving yards and he also leads the team with 13 touchdown receptions … he is averaging 86.2 receiving yards per game this season, which is third in the MIAA rankings … 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 and reception record breaking the previous high 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 39 receptions while sitting second the team with 740 receiving yards averaging 19.0 yards per catch and 82.2 yards per game … he is second on the team with seven touchdown receptions … he returned for the Pitt State to have four catches for 62 yards.
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 46 of 41 trips into the red zone with 31 touchdowns and ten field goals. Opponents have scored 25 of 29 times in the Ichabod red zone collecting 19 touchdowns with six field goals.
In the Middle
In the middle of the defensive line is senior defensive tackle
Ian Williams who has started 32 of the last 35 games. He has appeared in 41 games recording 81 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 36 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 46 career games at Washburn and has started the last 31 games … he has 221 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 119 career solo tackles is tied for 15th in school history.
Taylor Made
Junior linebacker
Jahmil Taylor started the final eight games of the 2010 season and has made 27 career starts appearing in 35 games recording 214 tackles with 18 tackles for loss … he is third on the team this season with 71 total tackles.
Showing the Way
Senior fullback
Greg Schoenberg has started 21 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 33 tackles on special teams appearing in 44 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 6.2 yards per carry this season collecting 685 yards on 111 attempts with five touchdowns averaging 68.5 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 10 games this season after starting two as a redshirt freshman … this season he leads the team with 84 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss … he is sixth 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 69 total tackles which is tied for fourth on the team … he leads the team with five pass break ups and tied for the team lead with five passes defended.
Casey's Countdown Chart Climber
Senior free safety
Casey Curran has recorded 297 career tackles playing in 43 career games making 35 career starts … his tackle total is sixth on the Ichabod all-time tackle chart … he needs three more tackles to become he sixth Ichabod to reach at least 300 tackles … his 162 solo tackles rank fifth all-time for the Ichabods and his 135 career assisted tackles is fifth all-time at Washburn.
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 Mule defensive linemen - in a 4-3 scheme - average 6-foot-2 and 252.2 pounds. When the Mules have the ball, their five offensive linemen average 6-foot-3 and 288 pounds while the Ichabods four defensive linemen average 6-foot-3 and 264.3 pounds.
Contemplating Conversions
The Ichabods are 75 of 151 (49.7) on third conversions this season and the Ichabods are holding their opponents to 53 of 150 (35.3) this season.
About Central Missouri
The Mules are 7-3 overall and 5-3 in the conference race sitting in fifth place. The Mules are coming off a 47-28 win over Lindenwood on the road. The Mules are ranked fourth in the MIAA in scoring offense scoring 35.7 points per game while they are ranked fifth in scoring defense allowing 24.8 points per game. The Mules have the No. 2-ranked pass offense in the league at 332.1 right behind Washburn's 332.8 yards per game through the air. Central Missouri's rush offense is ranked No. 8 in the league. Defensively, the Mules are seventh in the MIAA allowing 403.9 yards per game with an average of 191.6 yards per game (No. 2) through the air and 212.3 (No. 9) yards per game on the ground. UCM's Tommy Corwin is averaging 326.1 yards per game to lead the MIAA ahead of Washburn's 311.2. Corwin also leads the league in total offense. Corwin has completed 240 of 399 passing attempts with 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions for 3,261 yards. Jamar Howard leads the MIAA with 109.2 yards per game averaging 17.3 yards per catch with 1,092 yards. Lewis Patrick leads the Mules defense with 9.0 tackles per game with 46 solo stops.
Last time out for Central Missouri
Nov. 5, 2011 -- The Central Missouri Mules weathered the early storm and later rolled to a 47-28 win over Lindenwood at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium. The win snapped LWU's 26-game home winning streak. Lindenwood (7-3) couldn't have started any better scoring a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, an 84-yard run by Denodus O'Bryant to put LWU in front 7-0. The Mules (7-3) responded to score an apparent tying touchdown, but UCM was flagged for illegal touching and had to settle for a 22-yard Zach Gebhardt. The field goal capped an 11-play, 47-yard drive to pull the Mules to within 7-3.
The Lions scored quickly again on their next possession, a five-play drive capped by a five-yard touchdown pass from John Uribe to Terance Jackson.
The Mules took the ensuing kickoff and marched down the field. UCM looked poised to cut into the lead, but a fumble at the three yard line turned the ball over and gave it back to Lindenwood.
The UCM defense stiffened and on the ensuing possession Tommy Corwin hit David Cannon with a 15-yard touchdown. The extra point was missed and Lindenwood led 14-9.
The Mules held the Lions again on the next possession and marched right back down the field. Corwin hit Jamar Howard with a 29-yard catch and run down to the two yard line. LaVance Taylor punched it in from two yards out on the next play and the Mules took the lead for good 16-14.
The defenses seemed to settle in after that holding each side to a couple of punts through most of the second quarter. The Mules took over at their own 20 yard line with 1:21 to play in the half. An 18-yard pass to Camren Torneden set UCM up near midfield. Three more completions gave the Mules a first and 10 at the Lindenwood 17 and UCM ended the half with a 34-yard field goal from Gebhardt to lead 19-14 at the intermission.
The Mules received the opening kickoff of the second half and marched right down the field in four plays capped by a Corwin one-yard plunge to put UCM in front 26-14.
Lindenwood fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Mules were poised to blow the game open, but the Mules turned the ball over inside the five. The UCM defense responded and forced another LWU punt.
On the ensuing possession Taylor scored his second touchdown of the game, a one-yard run, to put the Mules up 33-14.
The Lions responded with a 70-yard pass and a nine-yard touchdown run to score in just two plays and creep back to within 12 at 33-21 with six minutes left in the third quarter.
The Mules came right back with a touchdown drive of their own to push the lead back to 40-21. Corwin hit Cannon for what appeared to be a 49-yard touchdown pass, but an unsportsmanlike penalty put the ball back at the 18 yard line. On the next play, Corwin hit Taylor in the flat and he outran the Lindenwood defenders to the endzone and the Mules led 40-21.
Corwin finished the day 29-of-45 for 429 yard and two touchdowns. He also had 35 yards rushing for 464 yards of total offense, the third highest single-game total in school history.
Howard had 10 catches for 178 yards. Cannon had six catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. Taylor had four grabs for 40 yards and touchdown to go along with 77 yards rushing and two TDs on the ground.
The Mules' defense, which played lights out in the second half, held Lindenwood to 370 total yards. They came up with seven sacks and forced two LWU fumbles. Hanna led UCM with seven tackles to go along with a tackle for loss and his fumble recovery for a touchdown. Marlon Douglas had five tackles, while Cody Wright and David Bax had two sacks each. As a unit, the defense had 11 tackles for loss for -51 yards, recovered two fumbles and had four pass break-ups.
Series history with Central Missouri
Saturday's meeting is the 43rd meeting in the series. The Mules lead the series 22-18-2. Washburn has won two of the last games played in Topeka winning in the last matcup played in Yager Stadium 36-21 on Sept. 26, 2009. Since the 1962 season, the Ichabods are 7-11 in games played in Warrensburg. In games played in Topeka, head coach
Craig Schurig is 2-2 against the Mules.
Last meeting between Washburn and Central Missouri: #21 UCM 55, WU 45• 9/25/10
WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The Washburn Ichabods and No. 21-ranked Central Missouri Mules combined for 100 points, 54 first downs, 1,071 offensive yards and 817 yards through the air in a 55-45 loss in Warrensburg.
The Mules, who were second in the nation in passing yards per game, opened up the game scoring on their first possession when Eric Czerniewski connected with Jamorris Warren for a 29-yard strike. The lead was short-lived as
Travis Mosby pulled down a 51-yard touchdown pass from
Dane Simoneau capping a three-play drive.
Washburn took the lead at 14-7 as Tore Hurst recorded his first touchdown reception on a 21-yard pass from Simoneau. The Mules would score the next two touchdowns to take a 21-14. Before the half, the Ichabods'
Joe Hastings tied the score with 52 seconds to go in the stanza on a 19-yard catch from Simoneau.
In the third quarter, the Ichabods and Mules would trade touchdowns as 35 points were scored in 15 minutes. Tywon Hubbard, Warren and DeMarco Crosby had scoring plays for Central Missouri while
Vershon Moore had a 7- and 10-yard touchdown runs as the Mules took a 42-35 lead into the fourth quarter.
Steve Ivanisevic nailed a 22-year field goal cutting the lead to 42-38 for the Mules. Warren had his third score of the game with 11:46 to go in the game putting the Mules up 10 at 48-38.
Moore scored on a 19-yard pass reception from Simoneau for his third touchdown of the day and Simoneau's fourth touchdown pass of the game. The Mules put the game out of reach capitalizing on an Ichabod turnover with a 13-yard run by Hubbard for Mules and the 55-45 win.
Hastings finished with 151 yards yards receiving and the first half touchdown reception. Simoneau was 20 of 40 for 344 yards with the four touchdown passes hitting seven different receivers in the game.
Defensively
Pierre Desir had seven tackles with a fumble recovery and an interception.
Luke Schuckman,
Jahmil Taylor,
Patrick Myrick,
Marty Pfannenstiel and
Bryce Atagi each had six tackles. Myrick had an interception as well.
Cameron Jackson had a sack for the Ichabods.
The Ichabods and Mules each had 27 first downs with 14 coming through the air for the Ichabods. Washburn had 518 yards of total offense while the Mules had 553. Washburn had 83 total plays in the game. A week after the Ichabods had 16 penalties against Missouri Western, the Ichabods were flagged for five penalties for 52 yards. The Mules had 10 penalties for 103 yards.
The Mules' Czerniewski was 32 of 42 for 447 yards and four scores while the Ichabods picking him off two times. Warren finished with 167 yards receiving on six catches.
Last time out for Washburn: #9 WU 43, #2 PSU 25 • 11/5/11
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 for their third straight win over the Gorillas while jumping into a tie for first place in the MIAA standings.
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 Simoneau, 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.
Bod notes ... three dot thoughts ...
Dane Simoneau has completed 64 of 103 (62 percent) of his passes on third down this season while converting 51 first downs and 10 touchdowns … on plays of at least third and 10 - Simoneau is 55 of 85 for 42 first downs and eight touchdowns … DeJuan Beard has been thrown to 26 times on third down and he has pulled down 19 passes with 16 going for first downs with four touchdowns and 42 of Beard's 52 receptions have gone for first downs this season …
Sean McPherson has averaged 6.8 yards a carry on first down, 5.9 yards per carry on second down and 4.7 yards per carry on third down this season …
Justin Cooper is averaging 5.5 yards per carry on first downs and 5.4 yards per carry on second down …
Dane Simoneau is averaging 6.2 yards per carry on six third down rushing attempts … of
Bryce Atagi's 84 tackles, 52 have come against the run …
Casey Curran leads the team with a team-high 34 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 32 … on kickoffs this season Washburn's average starting field position has been the 32 compared to opponents 31 … 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 … the 52-yard scoop and score by
Devon Connors against Pitt State last time out was the first time the Ichabods recorded a touchdown on an opponents fumble since
Brody Schuler did it on a 6-yard return against Pitt State last season on a fumbled punt attempt.
Ichabod team and individual Season records within reach
Individual Record 2011 Stats Current Record, Year
Passing Attempts Simoneau (353) Simoneau (374), 2010
Passing Completions Simoneau (214) Simoneau (223), 2010
Passing Yards Simoneau (3,112) Simoneau (3,459), 2010
Passing Touchdowns Simoneau (31) Simoneau (33), 2010
Completion Percentage Simoneau (60.6) Simoneau (60.2), 2009
Passing Yards Per Game Simoneau (311.2) Simoneau (288.2), 2010
Touchdown Receptions Beard (13) Slusser (20), 1988
Total Offense Simoneau (3,116) Simoneau (3,433)
Team Record
Passing Completions 226 257 (1980)
Passing Yards 3,325 3,590 (2010)
Passing Touchdowns 32 34 (2004, 2010)
Completion Percentage 60.1 59.3 (1983)
Passing Yards Per Game 332.8 299.2 (2010)
Receiving Yards 3,325 3,590 (2010)
Receptions Per Game 22.6 25.7 (1980)
Total Offense Yards 5,089 5,524 (2010)
Total Offense Per Game 508.9 473.5 (2009)
All Purpose Yards 5,862 6,770 (2010)
All Purpose YPG 586.2 594.5 (2009)
Scoring 407 449 (2009)
NCAA Regional rankings released . . .
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Washburn Ichabods jumped to No. 2 in the Super Region 4 poll which was released today by the NCAA. The Ichabods (9-1) sit second in the rankings behind Midwestern State who is 9-0 this season. Pittsburg State is No. 3 followed by Missouri Western, Abilene Christian and Northwest Missouri at No. 6. The top six teams qualify for the NCAA 24-team Division II playoffs with the top two in each region receiving a bye. The first round of the NCAA playoffs begin on Nov. 19.
SUPER REGION FOUR In Region Overall
1 Midwestern State 9-0 9-0
2 Washburn 8-1 9-1
3 Pittsburg State 8-1 8-1
4 Missouri Western 7-2 8-2
5 Abilene Christian 7-1 7-2
6 Northwest Missouri 7-2 8-2
7 Ouachita Baptist 7-2 7-2
8 Humboldt State 7-1 8-1
9 West Texas A&M 6-3 6-3
10 Central Missouri 7-3 7-3
Washburn Football History
Washburn is 514-554-44 (.478) in the 121st year of Ichabod football.
A win for Washburn over Central Missouri would ...
lift the Ichabods to 515-554-44 in their football history … move the Ichabods to 10-1 on the season for first time under head coach
Craig Schurig … clinch at least a share of a conference title for ninth time in school history … set a school record for the most wins in a season … be Washburn's second straight over the Mules in Topeka … make the all-time series with the Mules 19-22-2.
A Loss for Washburn would ...
drop the Ichabods to 514-555-44 in their football history … be the Mules' second straight win over the Ichabods … give the Mules a 23-18-2 all-time series lead over Washburn … be th Mules' first win in Topeka since a 28-14 win on Sept. 22, 2007.
The win against Pittsburg State revisited ... the win
lift the Ichabods to 514-554-44 in their football history … moved 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 … was the third straight win over the Gorillas … was the first time the Ichabods have beaten Pitt State in three straight games since winning four in a row between the 1946 and 1949 seasons … was the second straight win for Washburn in Pittsburg … moved the Ichabods into a first-place tie with the Gorillas in the MIAA standings.
The Ichabods in the national polls
The Washburn Ichabod football team moved up three spots in the latest American Football Coaches Association top 25 poll after picking off their 43-25 win over Pittsburg State on Nov. 5. Washburn will wrap up the regular season this Saturday in Yager Stadium at 1 p.m. against Central Missouri.The win over the Gorillas was the highest-ranked team an Ichabod unit had defeated in school history. Washburn has been ranked in the top 25 in the last 11 polls and has received votes in 37 of the last 38 polls by the American Football Coaches Association.
Up next
The Ichabods will await their postseason fate when NCAA postseason pairings are released on Sunday afternoon. Be sure to check the wusports.com website for all the information.
