Kickoff
The No. 25 Washburn Ichabods will travel for their final regular season game of the season as they will face No. 11 Missouri Western on Nov. 3 at 1:30 p.m., in Spratt Stadium for the Griffons' senior day. The Ichabods are coming off a 56-6 loss to then No. 5-ranked Northwest Missouri while the Griffons beat No. 15-ranked Emporia State on the road 57-28. Washburn will return home to face the Hornets in the regular season finale on Nov. 10.
Game story lines
• The last three games played in St. Joseph have decided by a touchdown or less.
• Washburn has not played the Griffons in St. Joseph since Sept. 19, 2009 falling 37-34 on a last-second field goal by the Griffons.
• Washburn is 22-17 following a loss under head coach
Craig Schurig and 1-0 following a loss this season.
Coaches
Washburn head football coach
Craig Schurig . . .
• Named head coach of the Ichabod football program Dec. 28, 2001.
• Is 79-46 (.602) in his 11th season as the Ichabod head coach.
• Is 61-36 (.600) against the MIAA.
• Has led the Ichabods to three NCAA Playoff appearances and two bowl appearance championships.
• Led the Ichabods to the 2005 MIAA regular season outright championship.
• Has recorded seven straight winning seasons for the first time in the program's history.
• Led the Ichabods to the program's 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.
• Is Washburn's all-time winningest coach with 79 wins.
• Is 5-5 against the Griffons.
Missouri Western head coach Jerry Partridge. . .
• Named the sixth head coach of the Griffon football program in 1997
• Is 120-63 (.654) in his 16th season as the Griffon head coach.
• Is 91-48 (.652) against the MIAA.
• Has led the Griffons to three NCAA Playoff appearances and six Mineral Water bowl appearances.
• Led the Griffons to the 2003 Co-MIAA regular season championship.
• Has recorded six winning seasons in last seven years.
• Led the Griffons to a school record nine victories in six of his 15 seasons which included last season.
• Is Missouri Western's all-time winningest coach with 120 wins.
• Is third in all-time wins in the MIAA.
• Played four years at Missouri Western.
• Partridge is 68-23 at home in his career with three undefeated seasons at home (2003, 2006, 2010).
Ichabod Notebook
• Under head coach
Craig Schurig, the Ichabods are 56-11 when leading at the end of the first quarter.
• Washburn is 55-12 when they score the first points of the ball game.
• The Ichabods are 32-17 in October action under head coach
Craig Schurig.
• The Ichabods are 29 of 34 in the redzone this season scoring 23 touchdowns while kicking six field goals.
• Against Northwest Missouri, it marked the first time the Ichabods did not score inside the redzone.
• Defensively the Ichabods are allowing opponents to score on 27 of 32 trips into the redzone allowing 20 touchdowns.
• Washburn had been above a 50 percent third down conversion rate in the first two games, but during the last five, the Ichabods have gone 7 of 19 against Northeastern, 7 of 18 against Central Oklahoma, 4 of 15 against Southwest Baptist, a season-low 1 of 9 on third downs against Lincoln and they were 7 of 19 against Truman. Against Lindenwood the Ichabods were 7 of 18 on third down and against NWMSU, Washburn was 6 of 16.
• Washburn is 32-2 when they have over 200 yards rushing.
• Washburn is ranked No. 10 in the nation in pass efficiency defense.
• Washburn is 19th in the nation in net punting at 37.1 yards per attempt.
• The Ichabods are the No. 25-ranked team in the nation and first in the MIAA in pass defense allowing 179.44 yards a game.
• Sophomore punter
Aaron Hummert is 13th in the nation in punting averaging 42.1 yards per punt.
• The last time the Ichabods scored six points in a game in Yager Stadium was a 12-6 loss to Truman on Sept. 27, 2003.
• The 56-6 loss to Northwest Missouri was the biggest win in the series for the Bearcats topping a 47-0 win in Maryville on Sept. 8, 1984.
Individual Notebook
Taylor Made
• Senior linebacker
Jahmil Taylor is the most-experienced Ichabod returning.
• His streak of games started ended at Central Oklahoma with an ankle injury at 26 straight appearances. He has started 38 games while appearing in 46 overall.
• He has 306 career tackles which is seventh all-time at Washburn.
• Was a second team all-MIAA pick in 2011.
• He is the fourth-highest active player in NCAA Division II with the 306 career total tackles.
• He is also sixth in solo tackles (161) and sixth in assisted tackles (145).
Atagivision
• Junior inside linebacker
Bryce Atagi finished third last season with 101 tackles.
• He has started the last 24 consecutive games.
• A second team all-MIAA pick and third team all-region selection in 2011.
• He tied a career-high 14 tackles against Northwest Missouri (Southwest Baptist earlier this season).
• He leads the team with 90 tackles with 36 solo stops and also is second on the team with 8.5 tackles for loss.
Hey Steve
• Senior offensive tackle
Steve Dieckhaus has started the last 37 games at Washburn - currently the longest streak on the team.
• Has started two games at right guard, 13 at right tackle and 13 at left guard and nine starts this season at left tackle.
• An honorable mention all-MIAA pick in 2011.
Willie Will or Willie Won't
• Junior linebacker
Willie Williams is third-leading returning tackler with 83 in 2011.
• He led the team with six tackles against Fort Hays State putting him over the 100-mark in his career at Washburn.
• This season he is second on the team with 56 with 34 solo stops, which is second on the team.
• He recorded his first career interception against Lincoln and returned one for a touchdown against Truman on Oct. 13.
Buhler . . . Buhler
• Sophomore quarterback
Mitch Buhler is the only signal caller returning from the 2011 season.
• He appeared in five games passing for 167 yards and one touchdown as a redshirt freshman.
• He passed for a career-high 368 yards in the loss at Central Oklahoma attempting a season-high 48 passing attempts completing a season-high 23.
It Hurst So Good
• Junior tight end
Tore' Hurst has started the last 22 games.
• Last season he had 38 catches or 591 yards.
• He tied for second on the team with eight touchdown receptions in 2011.
• He is tied for the team lead in 2012 with 30 receptions and recorded his first touchdown reception of the season against Northeastern State and caught two more against Southwest Baptist.
• He has 1,151 career receiving yards with 17 touchdowns and 83 career catches.
• His 17 receiving touchdowns is tied for sixth on the all-time Washburn chart.
Washburn Walker
• Senior defensive end
Corey Walker has played in 35 games starting the last 21 games.
• He has played on both offensive and defensive lines.
• Had had eight tackles for loss last season.
• He is third on the team with 8.0 tackles for loss and his 4.5 sacks is leading the team.
What Can Brown Do for You
• Wide receiver
Tyrell Brown is averaging 6.6 yards a carry this season and has 20 carries for 133 yards including a 53-yard run against Fort Hays State.
• He also has five catches for 79 yards averaging 15.8 yards per catch.
Something for a Fan to cheer about
• Junior wide receiver
Mark Fancher leads the team with 801 all-purpose yards averaging 89.0 yards a game.
• He is tied for second on the team with four touchdown receptions.
• His 69-yard reception against Truman was a career-long.
• He leads the Ichabods in 2012 with a 20.6 yards per catch average.
The Hay Song
• Junior running back
Hayden Groves leads the team with six rushing touchdowns while averaging 12.9 yards per catch out of the backfield.
• He had a career-high 162 against Truman and he went over 100 yards for the second straight game against Lindenwood with 109 yards.
Mac Daddy
• Junior
Ryan Macken has started three of the last six games at linebacker and is third on the team with 53 tackles including 30 solo tackles.
Obi-wan Kobbeman
• Junior wide receiver
Matt Kobbeman is tied for the team lead with 30 catches for a team-high 435 receiving yards leading the squad with a 48.3 yards per game average.
• His four receiving TD's is tied for the team-lead.
Linn-sanity
• Senior placekicker
Jeremy Linn leads the team with 50 points scored this season hitting 32 of 36 extra point attempts and six of eight field goals.
• He has scored 143 points in his career at Washburn and connected on 18 of 24 field goals and 89 of 97 extra point attempts.
• His 75 percent accuracy rate on field goals is second all-time at Washburn and he is seventh in all-time field goals made for the Ichabods.
About Missouri Western
• The Griffons are 8-1 this season and have not played since an Oct. 25 win at No. 15 Emporia State.
• Against the Hornets, MWSU scored the first 47 points of the game.
• In the first quarter of games this season, the Griffons are outscoring their opponents 101 to 10 and in the second quarter the difference is 131 to 48.
• The Griffons' only loss came in their last home game in a 31-30 loss to Missouri Southern.
• Michael Hill leads the team and the MIAA in rushing at 158.6 yards per game. He is third in the Division II national rankings.
• The Griffons have the No. 7 scoring offense in the country and the No. 8 rushing offense overall.
• Quarterback Travis Partridge is 131 of 206 with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions for 1,665 yards averaging 185 per game. He is ranked 11th in the nation in passing efficiency.
• Kyle Knox leads the team with 447 yards receiving averaging 17.2 yards per catch and 49.7 yards per game.
• Stephen Juergens leads the team with 51 tackles and Ben Pister has 16 tackles for loss for 70 yards including seven sacks.
Series history with Missouri Western
Series Record: MWSU leads 21-17-2
Streak: WU has won the last one
First Meeting: WU 58-3 (9/16/1972) in Topeka
Last Meeting: WU 41-20 (9/24/2011) in Topeka
Last WU win: 41-20 (9/24/2011) in Topeka
Last MWSU win: 36-33 (9/18/2010) in Topeka
Largest WU win: 58-3 (9/16/1972) in Topeka
Largest MWSU win: 52-0 (11/7/1981) in St. Joseph
Series Notes with Missouri Western
• Saturday's meeting will be the 41st meeting in the series.
• The Griffons lead the all-time series 21-17-2.
• Washburn has won five of the last eight meetings and four of the last six meetings overall.
• The Ichabods' longest winning streak was from 1986 to 1990 when they won five straight - only to lose five straight to the Griffons starting in 1991.
• The Ichabod snapped a five-game losing streak to the Griffons in Topeka during the 2005 season on Homecoming.
• The Ichabods won in St. Joseph 31-24 on Sept. 29, 2007 for their first win since Nov. 10, 1990 snapping an eight-game losing streak in Spratt Stadium.
• In Topeka, the Ichabods lead the all-time series 12-8.
• In games played in St. Joseph, the Ichabods are 5-13-2.
Last meeting between Washburn and Missouri Western (9/22/11)
TOPEKA, Kan. -- The No. 8 Washburn Ichabods outscored the Missouri Western Griffons 31 to 7 in the second half while holding the Griffons to 111 total yards in the frame en route to a 41-20 win improving to 4-0 for the first time since the 1986 season. The game was the CBS College Sports National TV game of the Week.
The Ichabods scored on their first possession when
Dane Simoneau hit
DaJuan Beard on a fourth-and-ten from the Griffon 31 yard line putting Washburn up 7-0 with 5:23 to play in the first quarter.
Missouri Western cut into the lead when Greg Zuerlein hit a 28-yard field goal with 13:29 to play in the first half. On Washburn's next drive, the Ichabods drove down to the Griffon four-yard line but the drive stalled and
Jeremy Linn connected on a 22-yard field goal with 8:46 to play in the half stretching Washburn's lead to seven at 10-3.
After a big return on the kickoff, the Griffons took over at their own 47-yard line and moved the ball to the Washburn 10, but the defense held and Zuerlein hit another field goal - this time from 27 yards out with 7:27 to play in the half cutting the Ichabod lead to 10-6.
On the Ichabods' next drive the Griffons forced a turnover, Missouri Western took the lead when Travis Partridge hit Adam Clausen on an 11-yard pass play putting the Griffons up 13-10 entering the halftime break.
In the third quarter the Ichabods retook the lead at 17-13 on a
Sean McPherson 5-yard touchdown run with 8:43 to play. After a
Devon Connors' interception of Partridge, Washburn then drove 60 yards in nine plays and Simoneau hit Tore Hurst on a 15-yard strike with 2:20 remaining in the third quarter. Washburn's defense held the Griffons to 16 total yards while the Ichabod defense racked up 207 yards while controlling the ball for 9:42 of the quarter.
In the fourth quarter,
Jeremy Linn put Washburn up 27-13 with a 36-yard field just into the period. The Griffons came right back when Partridge connected with Tyron Crockum on a 7-yard pass reception cutting the Ichabod lead to 27-20. However the Ichabods returned serve with a 53-yard, six-play drive capped by a Simoneau pass to
Ronnell Garner from three yards out making the score 34-20. The Washburn defense held Missouri Western on their next drive on fourth down and Washburn scored six plays later when Simoneau tossed his fourth touchdown of the game - this time to Hurst from 30-yards out wrapping up the scoring for both teams with a 41-20 Ichabod lead.
Washburn recorded 25 first downs in the game compared to 17 for the Griffons while outgaining Western 473 to 276 holding the Griffons to the 111 second half yards. Washburn gained 113 yards on the ground and 360 through the air.
Simoneau finished 23 of 39 from the field for 360 yards and four touchdowns throwing to nine different receivers led by
Matt Kobbeman's five catches for 89 yards.
Justin Cooper led the Ichabods on the ground with 102 yards on 23 carries.
Jahmil Taylor had 13 tackles with two tackles for loss and a forced fumble while
Willie Williams and
Bryce Atagi each had 10 tackles while Atagi added an interception and two pass break ups.
Partridge finished 18 of 31 for 165 yards and two scores with TJ Fannin recording seven catches for 55 yards. Michael Hill had 57 yards on the ground on 19 carries.
Jeremy Weston had 10 tackles to lead the Griffons on defense.
Last time out for Missouri Western (10/27/12)
EMPORIA, Kan. - The 12th ranked Missouri Western football team ran for 382 yards on 57 attempts in a 57-28 victory over the 15th ranked Emporia State Hornets on Thursday evening. The victory marked the eighth straight victory in the series and fifth straight in Emporia. The Griffons improve to 8-1 overall and 7-1 in MIAA play.
The Griffons made a statement in the first half against the Hornets racking up 384 yards of total offense which included 239 on the ground. Michael Hill scored twice from three yards out racking up 183 yards on 23 carries. Hill also caught three passes for 21 yards.
Travis Partridge continued to be efficient connecting on 11-of-15 passes for 145 yards and one touchdown. His lone touchdown pass came in the second quarter when he hit Tyron Crockum from 19 yards out putting MWSU up 26-0 with 6:58 to play. Partridge wrapped up the scoring with 2:31 to play when rushed in from eight yards out capping an eight play 88 yard drive giving the Griffons the 33 point halftime lead.
Griffon kicker Taylor Anderson made two field goals. His first from 43 yards out gave the Griffons a 3-0 lead early in the first quarter and his 30 yarder gave the Griffons a 20-0 lead with 13:02 to play in the half.
The Griffons defense was outstanding holding the Hornets to just 57 yards with 45 coming through the air. The Griffons held the Hornets to just one first down while Stephen Juergens led the way with four tackles.
The second half started like the first ended for the Griffons as they scored the first two touchdowns going up 47-0 after a seven yard run by Raphael Spencer. Mike Jordan scored the first touchdown of the half on a 91 interception return.
The Hornets scored 28 points down the stretch but the Griffons were able to get an 11 yard touchdown run by Dominic Thomas and an Anderson 44 yard field goal sealing the victory.
Anderson has now made 55 straight extra points and a single season record 49 straight this season.
Hill finished the night with 185 yards while Spencer had 96 yards and a touchdown. Partridge and Thomas had 55 and 53 yards respectively. Partridge also finished with 150 yards passing through the air. The Griffons finished with 532 yards on the evening.
Emporia State falls to 8-1 overall and 8-1 in the MIAA. They had 376 yards with 298 through the air. Tyler Eckenrode had 290 yards passing while Shjuan Richardson had 138 yards receiving on 11 receptions and a touchdown.
Defensively Nick Williams led the way for the Griffons with eight tackles while Juergens pitched in five. Ben Carlson led the way for the Hornets with 13.
Last time out for Washburn (10/27/12)
TOPEKA, Kan. -- The No. 16 Washburn Ichabods fell to 7-2 on the season and 7-2 in the MIAA after a 56-6 loss to No. 5 Northwest Missouri on Homecoming Saturday in Yager Stadium.
The Bearcats (8-1, 7-1 MIAA) opened the scoring on their first drive as Northwest took advantage of an Ichabod interception - the first of six the Ichabods would throw during the game setting up a 55-yard drive to go up 7-0 with 12:58 to play in the first quarter. After the team traded punts, the Bearcats took over with 2:22 left in the first quarter, but fumbled on their first play from scrimmage giving the ball back to Washburn at the Bearcat 6-yard line, but Washburn tossed its second interception of the day ending the drive. The Bearcats would score on their ensuing drive to go up 14-0 when James Franklin scored from 7-yards out with 12:43 left in the first half.
Northwest would go on to add three more touchdowns in the quarter, with two coming off Ichabod interceptions to take a 35-0 lead into the break.
The Bearcats scored on their second drive of the half going up 42-0 and on Washburn's next possession,
Mitch Buhler was picked off and two plays later the Bearcats would stretch their lead to 49-0 with 7:44 to play in the third quarter.
Washburn scored on its next possession capping a 10-play, 75-yard drive when Buhler connected with
Jordan Hart on a 36-yard touchdown strike, but the extra point was missed with Northwest leading 49-6 with 4:09 to play in the third quarter.
The Bearcats would add a fourth quarter score of a pick six by Chet Meneely with 1:26 to play in the game wrapping up the 56-6 win.
Donnie Lockhart had 30 yards on 11 carries for the Ichabods and Buhler was 10 of 24 for 148 yards and one score.
Brad Gourley led the Ichabods with three catches for 31 yards.
Bryce Atagi had 14 tackles with 11 solo stops and
Jahmil Taylor had 10 tackles.
Washburn was outgained by the Bearcats 406 to 246 including a 190 to 71 advantage on the ground.
Washburn football history
Washburn is 517-552-44 (.482) in the 122nd year of Ichabod football.
A win for Washburn over Missouri Western would . . .
• lift the Ichabods to 518-552-44 in its football history.
• be the Ichabods second straight win over the Griffons.
• be the Ichabods first win in St. Joseph since a 31-24 win on Sept. 29, 2007.
• improve the Ichabods to 8-2 on the season.
• lift the Ichabods to 18-21-2 all-time against the Griffons.
A loss for Washburn to Missouri Western would . . .
• drop the Ichabods to 517-553-44 in its football history.
• drop the Ichabods to 17-22-2 all-time against the Griffons.
• be Washburn's second straight loss in St. Joseph to the Griffons.
• drop the Ichabods to 7-3 on the season.
Northwest Missouri leftovers . . . the loss . . .
• dropped the Ichabods to 517-552-44 in its football history.
• dropped the Ichabods to 6-26 all-time against the Bearcats.
• was Washburn's eighth-straight loss to the Bearcats.
• was the Bearcats' 10th-straight win over the Ichabods in Topeka.
Bod Bullets
• Overall the Ichabods are 4-10 on Nov. 4.
•
Mitch Buhler's 16 touchdown passes is ninth on the single-season Washburn chart.
•
Jeremy Linn's 32 extra points is tied for ninth on the Washburn single-season chart.
•
Aaron Hummert's 42.1 yard per punt average sits second on the Washburn single-season chart. The school record for single season average is 42.49 by Eric Roth set in 2002.
•
Jaime Myers' 25 punt returns is 10th on the Washburn single-season chart.
• The 565 kickoff return yards by
Mark Fancher (27-565) is seventh on the single-season Washburn chart. The single season record is held by Joe Clark who had 30 returns for 648 yards in 1990.
• The 27 kickoff returns by Fancher is tied for fourth at Washburn for a single season trailing the 30 Joe Clark had in 1990.
Ichabods in the national polls
WACO, Texas -- The Washburn Ichabods slipped from No. 16 to No. 25 in the latest AFCA top 25 coaches poll which was released on Oct. 29. The Ichabods have been ranked in the top 25 in the last 22 polls and have received votes in 47 of the last 48 coaches polls.
Up next
The Ichabods will up the regular season with Emporia State on Nov. 10 in Topeka in the 109th meeting in the Turnpike Tussle - the most-played rivalry in NCAA Division II.
