First and 10

• The No. 15-ranked Washburn Ichabods look to rebound from their first loss of the year and the No. 22-ranked Missouri Western Griffons look to snap a two-game slide as they will meet up in Yager Stadium on Nov. 9 with a 1 p.m. kickoff on Washburn's senior day.

• Washburn is coming off a 52-21 loss at No. 2-ranked Northwest Missouri last time out.

• The Griffons fell to then-ranked No. 14 Emporia State last time out 35-30.

• The Ichabods have the No. 4 scoring offense in the MIAA at 44.0 ppg while the Griffons average 40.9 ppg, which is tied for fourth.

• On the defensive side of the ball, the Ichabods are third in the MIAA allowing 18.6 ppg while the Griffons are fifth giving up 21.8 ppg.

• Missouri Western leads the all-time series 22-17-2.

• The home team has won in each of the last three meetings.

• The Ichabods are 12-8-0 in games played in Topeka against Missouri Western.

• Four of the last six games have been decided by less than a touchdown.

• The two which were not were played he last two years with Washburn winning in Topeka on Sept. 22, 2011 41-20 and the Griffons winning in St. Joseph 56-28 last season on Nov. 3.

• The Ichabods are 3-17 against teams ranked in the top 10 … Washburn's last win over a top 10 team was at No. 2 Pittsburg State on Nov. 5, 2011 in a 43-25 win.

Numbers to know

• 23-19 - Washburn's record under head coach Craig Schurig when coming off a loss.

• 17 - The number of interceptions the Ichabods have this season which is third the NCAA Division II rankings.

• 23 - The Washburn single-season record for interceptions.

• 30 - The number of Ichabod scoring drives this season which have been under five plays.

• 59 - The number of Ichabod scoring drives this season.

• 404:27 - The amount of time in minutes and seconds of 540:00 the Ichabods have been in the lead in games this season -- 75 percent.

• 52:53 - The amount of time in minutes and seconds of 540:00 the Ichabods have been tied in games this season -- 10 percent.

• 82:40 - The amount of time in minutes and seconds of 540:00 the Ichabods have trailed in games this season -- 15 percent.

• 328.8 - The number of yards the Ichabods are giving up this season, which is third in the MIAA.

• 90.7 - The number of rushing yards the Ichabods are giving up per game, which leads the MIAA.

• 27 - The number of takeaways the Ichabods have recorded this season which is tied for the MIAA lead with Missouri Western.

• 82-28 - The points the Ichabods have been scored compared to their opponents in the first quarter.

• 198-83 - The points the Ichabods have been scored compared to their opponents in the first half.

• 79-5 - Washburn's record under head coach Craig Schurig when leading after three quarters.

• 15-0 - Washburn's record under head coach Craig Schurig when the Ichabods score at least 50 points.

• 194 - Kickoff returns yards by Jaime Myers against Northwest Missouri, the most by an Ichabod since Colon McNeal had 191 in seven returns on Nov. 14, 1998.

Coaches

Ichabod head coach Craig Schurig . . .

• was named head coach of the Ichabod football program Dec. 28, 2001. 

• is 87-48 (.602) in his 12th season as the Ichabod head coach. 

• is 69-39 (.630) 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 ten-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 during the 2011 season.

• is Washburn's all-time winningest coach with 87 wins.

• is 5-6 against Missouri Western.

Griffon head coach Jerry Partridge . . . 

• was named the sixth head coach of the Griffon football program in 1997

• is 131-66 (.669) in his 17th season as the Griffon head coach.

• is 98-51 (.662) against the MIAA.

• has led the Griffons to four NCAA Playoff appearances and six Mineral Water bowl appearance.

• has led the Griffons to the 2012 MIAA Championship and 2003 Co-MIAA regular season championship.

• is Missouri Western's all-time winningest coach with 131 wins.

• is third in all-time wins in the MIAA.

• is 10-6 against Washburn.

On offense

• Senior tight end Tore' Hurst has started the last 35 games playing in 44 games and he leads the team this season with 34 catches and 504 receiving yards … he ranks fourth all-time at Washburn with 23 touchdown receptions while he is ninth in receiving yards with 1,797 and sixth in receptions with 125 on the Ichabod career chart … his 23 touchdown receptions is the most in school history by a tight end.

• Junior quarterback Mitch Buhler has made 19 starts at Washburn passing for 4,165  career yards and 40 touchdowns … his 40 TD passes are fourth all-time at Washburn and his 290 career completions are seventh … he is ranked 12th in the nation in passing yards per completion after 15.9 yards per Washburn catch.

• Sophomore running back Sean McPherson has rushed for 921 yards in his career and has 185 yards rushing this season and two scores on the ground … he returned against Northwest making five carries for 17 yards in his first action since the Northeastern State game.

• Junior DaJuan Beard has 22 catches for 270 yards and one score playing in only five games this season … against Northeastern State he went over the 1,500-yard plateau for career receiving yards … he became the 12th Ichabod to catch at least 100 passes as he now has 110 which is 13th all-time at Washburn … he is the 12th Ichabod to go over the 1,500-yard career receiving mark … his seven catches and 89 yards against Northwest Missouri were season highs.

• Senior center Kyle Duncan has started the last 33 games for the Ichabods on the offensive line while playing in 40 overall.

• Senior Matt Kobbeman became the 12th Ichabod to go over 100 receptions in his career … his 122  receptions is seventh all-time at Washburn … his 1,635 career receiving yards is 13th all-time for the Ichabods.

• Junior Vershon Moore went over the 2,000-yard mark for his career as he now has 2,320 rushing yards in 26 games … the yardage total is fifth all-time at Washburn … his 115.4 all-purpose yards per game is second in school history.

• Junior Dylan Ready has played in 30 games on the offensive line and has started at left tackle, left guard and right tackle on the offensive line.

• Junior wide receiver Tyrell Brown had a career-high game against Central Oklahoma … he had four catches for 117 yards and his first career touchdown at Washburn … for his career he has 11 catches for 250 yards and 25 rushes for 148 yards … he is questionable this week after suffering an injury at Southwest Baptist.

On defense

• Senior inside linebacker Bryce Atagi has started 35 career games playing in 45 overall … he is fourth all-time at Washburn with 336 total tackles … his 173 assisted tackles is fourth all-time and his 35.5 career tackles for loss is third all-time at Washburn … his 122 yards from tackles for loss is third … his two interception returns for touchdown is tied for second all-time at Washburn … he is 15th in the MIAA in tackles this season, fourth in tackles for loss and leads the league with five interceptions.

• Senior linebacker Willie Williams has started the last 32 games appearing in 44 overall and has recorded 206 tackles with 97 solo stops … he is tied for second in the MIAA with four interceptions this season.

• Senior defensive end Adebayo Oladapo has started the last 20 games appearing in 37 overall recording 73 tackles with 14 for loss and eight sacks while picking off three passes.

• Senior linebacker Ryan Macken has played in 33 games making 12 starts tallying 135 tackles with 73 solo stops and 12.5 tackles for loss.

• Junior safety Calvin Kenney has played in 33 games making 28 starts tallying 140 tackles with 85 solo stops with three interceptions.

• Senior Jake Cervantes has started 19 games on the defensive line and has recorded 80 tackles with 9.0 tackles for loss with four sacks for 25 yards … he also has one interception against Central Missouri as a sophomore.

• Senior Cameron Jackson has started 21 games on the defensive line and has 22 tackles for loss and 68 career tackles adding 10.5 sacks.

• Senior cornerback Devon Connors has 87 career tackles with 64 solo stops and five career interceptions …also has averaged 27.9 yards per kickoff return … has a interception return for a touchdown, a kickoff return for a touchdown and a punt return for a touchdown.

On special teams

• Redshirt freshman Justin Linn was named the MIAA special teams player of the week after the Nebraska-Kearney game after connecting on three field goals in three attempts including a 51-yard connection … the kick was one shy of the Washburn record … he is 12 of 17 on field goals this season hitting 5 of 6 beyond 40 yards … his 12 field goals are fifth on the single season chart.

• Junior Aaron Hummert has 125 punts for 5,088 yards averaging 40.7 yards per punt playing in 33 career games … his 40.7 career punting average is the best in school history … his career 40.7 yards per punt is third among active punters in the NCAA … he completed his first career pass at Washburn against Southwest Baptist for 32 yards and a first down on a fake punt to Willie Williams.

• Sophomore returner Jaime Myers returned a punt for a touchdown against Northeastern State … against Northwest Missouri he returned a kickoff 98 yards for a score… for his career he has 42 punt returns for 327 yards and one touchdown averaging 10.5 yards per return this season and 8.0 per return for his career … he leads the MIAA this season in punt return average … he is averaging 32.9 yards per kickoff return this season (and 31.7 for his career) with 14 returns for 461 yards and the lone score.

Bods and ends and leftovers . . . Northwest Missouri edition

Cameron Jackson's six tackles tied a career high … Calvin Kenney recorded his first career punt return … the 194 kickoff return yards by Jaime Myers was a career high as was the 98-yard return for a touchdown … Jordan Nelson had three kickoff returns for a career-high 53 return yards … Noel Phillips had a season-long rush of 14 yards … Raymond Solis had career-highs of three receptions for 35 yards. 

Know the foe

• The Griffons are 7-2 on the season and 6-2 in the MIAA.

• They are ranked 22 in the latest AFCA top 25 coaches poll.

• The Griffons are coming off back to back losses to Pittsburg State and Emporia State.

• Raphael Spencer leads the MIAA in rushing with 116.3 yards per game.

• Travis Partridge is eighth in the MIAA in passing at 210.6 yards per game and seventh in total offense at 255.9 yards per game.

• The Griffons are seventh in the MIAA in total offense at 436.9 yards per game and fifth in total defense allowing 380.8 yard per game.

• Overall the Griffons are third in the MIAA in rushing offense after gaining 221.4 yards per game.

Series history with Missouri Western

Series Record: MWSU leads 22-17-2

Streak: MWSU has won the last one

First Meeting: WU 58-3 (9/16/1972) in Topeka

Last Meeting: MWSU 56-28 (11/3/2012) in Topeka

Last WU win: 41-20 (9/24/2011) in Topeka

Last MWSU win: 56-28 (11/3/2012) 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

• The Ichabods are 12-8-0 in games played in Topeka against Missouri Western.

• The home team has won in each of the last three meetings.

• Four of the last six games have been decided by less than a touchdown.

• The two which were not were played he last two years with Washburn winning in Topeka on Sept. 22, 2011 41-20 and the Griffons winning in St. Joseph 56-28 last season on Nov. 3.

• Washburn is 5-13-2 in games played in St. Joseph.

Last Meeting with Missouri Western (11/3/12)

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The Washburn Ichabods lost their second straight game to a top 15 team dropping a 56-28 decision at No. 11-ranked Missouri Western.

Missouri Western scored the first 28 of the game before the Ichabods got on the board with a 71-yard touchdown run by Hayden Groves with 6:28 left in the first half. Washburn added another touchdown going into the break when Kameron Stewart scored on a 3-yard run cutting the Griffon lead to 28-14.

However coming out the break the Griffons scored the first 28 points of the second half starting with a score on their opening drive pushing their lead back to 56-14 with 9:43 left in the game.

Washburn added two more scores with 4:18 remaining when Joel Piper hit Ryan Mertz scored on a 2-yard touchdown pass and Matt Kobbeman pulled down an 8-yard touchdown pass with under a minute left to wrap up the scoring with the Griffons taking the 56-28 win.

Groves finished with 123 yards on 18 carries and Stewart had 57 on 15 carries. Piper finished 13 of 24 passing for 153 yards and two scores and Kobbeman finished with seven catches for 60 yards and Tore' Hurst had six catches for 106 yards.

Willie Williams had 14 tackles with four solo stops and Bryce Atagi had 11 tackles. Jaime Myers had one interception for Washburn.

The Griffons finished with 418 yards rushing averaging 7.9 yards per carry with Washburn recording 177. Overall the Griffons had 569 yards compared to the Ichabods' 375.

Last time out for Missouri Western vs Emporia State  (11/2/13)

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Missouri Western's sixth turnover of the game ended any comeback opportunities as the Griffons fall for the first time against #14 Emporia State since 2004 by a score of 35-30. Missouri Western out gained the Hornets 525 to 351 falling to 7-2 overall and 6-2 in MIAA play. The back-to-back home loses is the first time since 2008 that MWSU has lost consecutive home games.

Missouri Western got into Emporia State territory three different times in the first quarter but could not get any points as one drive ended on an interception by Travis Partridge.

In the second quarter the Hornets opened up a 21-0 lead when Dozie Iwuagwa rushed in from six yards out with 7:44 to play. The Hornets opened up the scoring with 13:18 in the quarter when Brent Wilson connected with Ervin Kavaski from 13 yards out. Iwuagwu followed that up with a 22 yard touchdown giving ESU the 14-0 lead with 8:31 to play in the quarter.

The Griffons hung in there closing the half with 10 straight points. Partridge connected with Alek Ferbet from eight yards out with 3:33 to play and John Schmiemeier connected on a 47 yard field goal as time expired making it 21-10 ESU at the half.

The Griffons had 215 yards with 125 coming through the air. Stephon Weaver caught six passes for 75 yards in the half while John Oglesby led the defense with nine tackles.

Emporia State had 188 yards with 97 coming on the ground. Antonio Brown had seven carries for 46 yards while Julian Dozier, Deshawn Dinwiddie and Tariq Allen had seven tackles.

The Griffons opened up the third quarter going 89 yards on nine plays with Dalton Krysa blasting in from two yards out cutting the ESU lead to 21-17 with 10:41 to play in the quarter.

In the fourth the Griffons took their first lead of the game on a third and 27 when Partridge connected with Weaver for a 30 yard touchdown giving MWSU the 24-21 lead with 11:01 to play. Weaver finished with a career high 10 catches for 163 yards.

The Hornets finally got something going in the final quarter scoring on one yard touchdown passes to Kavaski and Ray Ray Davis giving the Hornets the 35-24 lead with 4:20 to play.

The Griffons continued to play hard going on a seven play 62 yard drive capped by a Partridge two yard run cutting the ESU lead to 35-30 with 2:46 to play. On the Hornet next possession Mike Jordan picked off Wilson setting the Griffons up inside the Hornet 25 yard line after a personal foul penalty. On a third down and four from the Hornet six yard line Partride threw his career high fourth interceptions giving the Hornets the victory.

Partridge threw for 298 yards connecting on 22-of-40. Raphael Spencer finished with 80 yard rushing and 55 yards receiving while Partridge finished with a career high 130 yards on a career high 25. Oglesby finished with 11 tackles.

Brent Wilson had 159 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Davis had nine catches for 79 yards and one touchdown. Antonio Brown had 109 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns while Josh Monteagudo and Allen had 12 tackles apiece.

Last time out for Washburn vs Northwest Missouri (11/2/2013)

MARYVILLE, Mo. -- The No. 8 Washburn Ichabods lost for the first time in 2013 in a 52-21 loss at No. 2 Northwest Missouri. 

The Ichabods fell behind 28-0 before getting on the board with 2:14 left in the second quarter when the Ichabods converted a 4th and 11 for a 24-yard touchdown pass from Mitch Buhler to Tore' Hurst. However the Bearcats needed only two plays to push the lead back to 28 after Northwest scored in 23 second pushing the score to 35-7.

Washburn again converted a 4th and long for a touchdown when Buhler hit Connor Crimmins on a 30-yard touchdown reception trimming the lead to 35-14 going into the half.

After forcing a three and out on the Bearcats' first drive of the second half, Washburn drove down to the Northwest 8, but Buhler's pass to DaJuan Beard was broken up ending the drive.

Northwest then used a 9-play, 64-yard drive to go up 42-14 and added a field goal a field goal early in the fourth quarter.

Jaime Myers then returned the ensuing kickoff 98-yards for a score ending the scoring for the Ichabods. The Bearcats ended the scoring with a touchdown pass wrapping it up en route to the 52-21 win.

Washburn was limited to 69 yards rushing on 30 carries while passing for 244 yards. The Bearcats forced six turnovers by the Ichabods with five coming on interceptions. The Bearcats finished with 481 total yards on 72 plays while the Ichabods had 313 yards on 73 plays.

Buhler was 16 of 35 for 194 yards and two touchdowns. Beard finished with seven catches for 89 yards to lead the Ichabods. Bryce Atagi had nine tackles and one for loss to pace the defense.

Washburn football history

Washburn is 525-555-44 (.480) in the 123rd year of Ichabod football. 

A win for Washburn over Missouri Western would . . .

• lift the Ichabods to 526-555-44 in their football history.

• give the Ichabods an 9-1 overall record for the first time in school history.

• move the Ichabods to 8-1 in MIAA play for the first time in school history giving the Ichabods the most wins during an MIAA season.

• give the Ichabods their second nine-win season in school history joining the 2005 team as the only teams with nine wins.

A loss for Washburn to Missouri  Western would . . .

• drop the Ichabods to 525-556-44 in their football history.

• drop the Ichabods to 17-23-2 all-time against the Griffons.

• be the Griffons' second-straight over the Ichabods.

Ichabods in the national polls

WACO, Texas -- The Washburn Ichabod football team dipped seven spots to No. 15 in the latest American Football Coaches Association top 25 poll which was released Monday. Among other MIAA schools, Northwest Missouri is ranked No. 2 while Pittsburg State is No. 6. Emporia State moved to No. 10 after their win over the Griffons last time out. This week Northwest Missouri is at Emporia State while the Gorillas are at Lindenwood.

Under head coach Craig Schurig, the Ichabods have been ranked or have received votes in the AFCA poll 50 times and have been ranked in the top 10 15 times.

Ichabods in the Regional polls

The Washburn Ichabods remained eighth in the latest NCAA Super Region Three poll which was announced on Monday. The top six teams will make the NCAA Postseason with the top two teams receiving a bye in the first round.

1 Northwest Missouri State      9-0   9-0

2 Minnesota State Mankato     9-0   9-0

3 Minnesota-Duluth                 8-1   8-1

4 St. Cloud State                    8-1   8-1

5 Henderson State                  9-0   9-0

6 Pittsburg State                     7-1 8-1

7 Emporia State                     8-0   8-0

8 Washburn                           8-1   8-1

9 Missouri Western State        7-2   7-2

10 Harding                             6-2   6-2

Up next

The Ichabods will wrap up the regular season on Nov. 16 when they will face No. 10 Emporia State.