FOR STARTERS
• The Washburn Ichabods will hit the road for the final time in the regular season as they travel to Pittsburg, Kan. to take on the Pittsburg State Gorillas at 1 p.m. on Nov. 6 in Carnie Smith Stadium in a battle of 7-2 teams with two regular season games to go.
• The Ichabods are coming off a 35-0 win last time with a Homecoming win over Northeastern State to remain perfect at home at 5-0 this season winning their last six overall games in Yager Stadium dating back to 2019 … overall the streak is the 12th longest in the nation.
• The Gorillas topped Central Oklahoma 26-20 holding off a rally from the Bronchos who trailed 23-7 at the half improving to 7-2 on the season.
• The Ichabods trail the all-time series with the Gorillas 63-26-1, but have won the last three overall and eight of the last 13 including three-straight in Pittsburg … overall in games played in Pittsburg the Gorillas are 13-29-1.
• Ichabod head coach Craig Schurig spent eight years as a graduate assistant and full-time assistant at Pittsburg State from 1993-2001 prior to coming to Washburn.
• Ichabod football strength and conditioning coach David Trupp was the defensive line and offseason strength and condition coordinator for the Gorillas from 1996 to 1998.
• Ichabod defensive secondary coach LaRon Moore's uncle Ron Moore played at Pittsburg State and won the Harlon Hill trophy and went on to play in the NFL.
• The Ichabods are ranked 12th in the nation in third down conversions moving the chains on 51 percent of their attempts.
• The Ichabods are ranked 25th in the nation in completion percentage at 63 percent.
• The Ichabods are 16th in the nation in kickoff return defense allowing an average of 15.25.
• The Ichabods are 11th in the nation in red• one defense.
• Malick Fall is eighth in the nation in sacks at 1.11 per game which also leads the MIAA.
• James Letcher, Jr. is 14th in the nation in all-purpose yards at 143.3 yards per game.
• Mitch Schurig is ninth in the nation in completion percentage (67.6) 20th in the nation in passing touchdowns (20).
 
COACHING
Washburn Ichabod head coach Craig Schurig . . .
• was named head coach of the Ichabod football program Dec. 28, 2001.
• is 128-87 (.599) in his 20th season as the Ichabod head coach.
• is 110-75 (.603) against the MIAA.
• has led the Ichabods to three NCAA Playoff appearances and four bowl appearances and three bowl championships.
• led the Ichabods to the 2005 MIAA regular season outright championship.
• 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 football coach with 128 wins.
• is 9-8 against Pittsburg State.
 
Pittsburg State head coach Brian Wright coach . . . 
• Brian Wright is in his second season as head coach at Pittsburg State.
• he was hired as the program's 15th all-time head coach on December 7, 2019. Wright led the Gorillas to a 2-2 record during the abbreviated 2020 season; and he has compiled an 9-4 overall mark. He has a 12-4 (.750) record as a collegiate head coach.
• Wright came to Pitt State after serving the previous four seasons as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at the University of Toledo.
• In his four seasons with the Rockets, Wright helped guide offenses that have been among the best in the Mid-American Conference while boasting four NFL draft picks.
• Prior to coming to Toledo, Wright coached at Florida Atlantic for four seasons as the Owls'
offensive coordinator. He stepped in as interim head coach for the final four games of the 2013
season, leading the Owls to four consecutive victories and bowl eligibility (6-6) for the first time
since 2008.
 
 ICHABODS ON THE CAREER CHARTS
• Ichabod running back Zach Willis sits 11th on the all-time rushing chart with 1,648 yards. He became the 11th Ichabod to reach at least 1,600 yards on the ground in a career. Willis also is tied for 13th with 16 career rushing touchdowns.
• Willis also has a career yards per attempt of 6.04 per carry as an Ichabod, which is sixth on the all-time chart behind Corey Crain who averaged 6.11 yards per carry.
• Ichabod quarterback Mitch Schurig has passed for 6,196 yards in his career which is fourth on the Ichabod career chart. Only Dane Simoneau (11,291), Jordan Brill (7,041), Tyler Schuerman (6,525) have thrown for more in a Washburn uniform.
• Schurig's 472 career pass completions is second all-time at Washburn trailing Dane Simoneau who had 751 from 2007-11.
• Schurig has also thrown for 58 touchdowns which is second all-time at Washburn. The school record holder is Simoneau with 102.
• Schurig is Washburn's all-time leader in passing completion percentage at 64.0 percent ahead of current coach Dane Simoneau who completed 58 percent of his passes.
• Schurig is also ranked fifth in total offense for a career with 6,075 yards.
• James Letcher, Jr.'s 26.10 yards per kickoff return is third all-time at Washburn.
• Letcher, Jr.'s 127 career receptions is ninth on the all-time chart at Washburn and his 16 touchdown receptions is eighth.
• Letcher, Jr.'s two career kickoffs returned for touchdown is tied for first all-time at Washburn with Fletcher Terrell and Cary Williams and his 27.27 yards per return is second behind Terrell's 27.32 yards per return.
• Jace Williams' 14 touchdown receptions is tied for 11th all-time at Washburn.
• Lane Spiker's 39.78 yards per punt average is fifth in school history … all-time leader Aaron Hummert (2011-14) had an average of 40.33.
 
NOTING THE GORILLAS
• Quarterback Mak Sexton has completed 151 of 244 passes (.619) for 2,065 yards (229.4 ypg) and 16 touchdown on the season compared to six interceptions.
• Tyler Adkins leads a Gorilla rushing attack with 112 carrries for 518 yards and five scores while Caleb Lewis had 491 yards on 115 carries with three touchdowns.
• Jalen Martin has 771 receiving yards and four scores while Elijah Harris had 28 catches and six touchdown receptions.
• Dallis Flowers is averaging 30.7 yards per kickoff return on 13 attempts and he also leads the team with three interceptions.
• Placekicker Cross Holmes is 14 of 18 on field goal attempts including a long of 54 hit last week against Central Oklahoma.
• P.J. Sarwinski leads the team with 66 tackles including 10 tackles for loss for 37 yards and 2.5 sacks for 10 yards with an interception.
• The Gorillas are averaging 32.0 yards per game while allowing 18.0 ppg scoring 40 of their points off of turnovers.
• The Gorillas are averaging 412 yards per game in total offense while allowing 336 and passing for an average of 251 per game allowing 217.7. On the ground PSU is averaging 160.8 per game allowing 119.2 per game.
 
LAST MEETING WITH PITTSBURG STATE
(Nov. 9, 2019) TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn Ichabod football team finished off its home slate in fine fashion with a 49-38 win over Pittsburg State on senior day in Yager Stadium on Saturday afternoon for the third-straight win over the Gorillas, who lost their fifth game in a row.
The Gorillas (5-5, 5-5) jumped out to a 10-0 lead scoring on their first two drives before the Ichabods got on the board with a 54-yard touchdown pass from Mitch Schurig to James Letcher, Jr., cutting the lead to 10-7 with 13:49 to go in the first half.
Pitt State came back with a three-play drive of their own going back up 10 at 17-7 and the Ichabods took the ensuing drive and marched 69 yards in eight plays to trim the lead back to 17-14 with 9:54  to go on a Schurig to Jace Williams score.
On Pitt State's next drive the Gorillas Tucker Horack broke free on a 52-yard run, but was caught from behind by Josh Wright and he forced a fumble which was recovered by Kevin Neal, Jr., picked up and returned to the Washburn 11. Eight plays later Washburn went up 21-17 when Curtis Whitten scored the first of his three touchdowns on the afternoon.
Pitt State rallied to take the lead at 24-21 after a seven-play drive as the Gorillas took the three-point lead into the locker room.
The Gorillas went up 10 at 31-21 with 10:51 to go in the third quarter and then Washburn again came back on their next drive with a score of their own on a 15-yard scamper by Whitten cutting the lead back to three.
Washburn held the Gorillas to a punt on their next possession and the Ichabods scored to take the lead at 35-31 with a 3-yard run by Taylon Peters two plays into the fourth quarter. However it took only four plays for the Gorillas to go back on top of the Ichabods at 38-35 on a 33-yard rush by Tyler Atkins. The Ichabods were forced to punt on their next drive and on Pitt State's next possession, the Ichabod defense held on a fourth and sixth from the WU 34 when K.J. Turner knocked down a PSU pass attempt. On the next play, James Letcher, Jr., rushed for 66 yards for a touchdown putting Washburn up 42-38 with 7:34 to go putting Washburn up for good.
Washburn (5-5, 5-5) added another touchdown on a Whitten 6-yard run at 49-38 with 2:20 to go and Pitt State turned the ball over on downs on its next drive and Washburn took a knee to finish out the game.
Letcher, Jr., led the Ichabods with 166 yards receiving on eight catches and added 65 yards rushing scoring two touchdowns overall. Jace Williams had three catches for 59 yards and a score and also rushed for 44 yards on three carries. Peters had 13 rushes for 57 yards and one score and Whitten finished with seven attempts for 44 yards and the three scores.
Schurig was 22 of 32 for 306 yards and two scores.
Defensively, K.J. Turner led the Ichabods with eight tackles and three pass break ups and Kyle Emerick had seven tackles with one sack and Kevin Neal, Jr. had seven tackles.
The Ichabods finished with 511 yards with 205 coming on the ground. Pitt State finished with 277 yards on the ground.
 
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE ICHABODS
(Oct. 30, 2021) TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn Ichabod football team tossed its first shutout in 73 games and recorded the first shutout on Homecoming since 1989 in a 35-0 win over Northeastern State in Yager Stadium on Saturday.
The Ichabods did not waste anytime taking the lead as they marched 88 yards on seven plays when Mitch Schurig hit Peter Afful for a 39-yard touchdown pass with 11:29 to play in the opening quarter as the Ichabods took the 7-0 lead over the RiverHawks, who fell to 2-7 on the season.
After the teams traded punts the remainder of the first quarter, the Ichabods scored on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Schurig to Matthew Simmons from 18 yards out with 11:50 to play in the half giving the Ichabods a 14-0 lead after the PAT from Trenton Brehm. The RiverHawks after an Ichabod punt drove to the Ichabod 26-yard line, but their 43-yard field goal attempt was pushed right keeping the shutout intact.
Washburn, who also lifted its record to 49-45-1 on Homecoming, forced a RiverHawk punt and then went up 21-0 after Simmons recorded his second touchdown pass of the day on a 14-yard reception from Kellen Simoncic. The Ichabod defense forced another NSU punt and Washburn went 87 yards in nine plays when Zach Willis scored from 5-yards out staking the Ichabods to a 28-0 lead with 4:08 to play in the third quarter.
The Ichabods wrapped up the scoring on a 4-yard run by Tyler Bowden scoring his first collegiate touchdown with 10:12 to go in the game.
The Ichabods used 13 ball carriers in the game with Willis leading the way with 85 yards on 14 carries and Taylon Peters has 10 attempts for 72 yards. Will King III entered the game and had five carries for 66 yards.
In recording their first shutout since a 41-0 win over Fort Valley State on Oct, 17, 2013, the Ichabods held the RiverHawks to 98 yards of total offense in the second half and 143 for the game. Brooks Peavler led the Ichabods with eight tackles while Grant Bruner had six. Isaac Keener had two sacks and Malick Fall added one as the team finished with seven tackles for loss overall.
Simoncic finished 8 for 17 for 131 yards and one score and Schurig was 7 of 9 for 112 yards and two touchdowns playing only the first quarter.
Afful, Jace Williams and Simmons each had three catches in the game with Afful finished with 72, Williams had 60 and Simmons had 38 with the two scores.
Washburn finished with 30 first downs rushing for 292 yards on 52 carries averaging 5.6 yards per carry while the RiverHawks were limited to 56 yards on 32 attempts. Washburn finished with 257 yards passing while the RiverHawks had 87. As a team, Washburn had 549 yards of total offense compared to 143 for NSU.
The last time the Ichabods recorded a shutout on Homecoming was on Oct. 7, 1989 in a 9-0 win over Lincoln.
 
 A WIN OVER PITTSBURG STATE WOULD
• move Washburn to 8-2 on the season.
• be the most wins in a season since the Ichabods had eight win in 2013 finishing 8-3.
• be the Ichabods' fourth-straight win over the Gorillas.
• improve the Ichabods to 14-29-1 in games played in Pittsburg.
 
A LOSS TO PITTSBURG STATE WOULD ...
• snap an three-game winning streak over the Gorillas
• be the first PSU win since a 45-27 win on Oct. 1, 2016 in Topeka.
 
 NORTHEASTERN STATE LEFTOVERS ...
• move Washburn to 7-2 on the season.
• be the Ichabods' ninth-straight win over the RiverHawks.
• improve the Ichabods to 6-0 against NSU in games played in Topeka.
• improve the Ichabods to 49-45-1 all-time on homecoming.
 
ICHABOD FOOTBALL HISTORY
• Washburn is 562-587-44 (.484) in the 129th year of Ichabod football.
• The Ichabods are ranked 15th in NCAA Division II history in wins.
• The Ichabods have 12 conference titles with the last coming in 2005 in the MIAA.
• Washburn has had 171 first team all-MIAA picks and 53 first team all-MIAA selections.
• Washburn has had 83 All-American selections and 56 All-American picks since joining the NCAA Division II ranks in 1989.
• Washburn has made 12 postseason appearances including bowl games and tournament games going 5-2 in seven bowl games.
• Seven Ichabods have been picked in the NFL Draft.
 
ICHABODS IN THE NATIONAL POLLS
The Ichabods, under head coach Craig Schurig, have been ranked or have received votes in the AFCA poll 71 times and have been ranked in the top 10 a total of 15 times.
 
UP NEXT
Washburn will wrap up the regular season on Nov. 13 against Missouri Southern at 1 p.m. where 15 Ichabods will be honored in pregame festivities. The group of seniors include K.J. Turner, Garret Barnett-Kruger, Mitch Schurig, James Letcher, Jr., Chase Williams, Lane Spiker, Marquise Manning, Jacob Anderson, Matthew Harris, Malick Fall, Brooks Peavler, Zach Willis, Jeremy Luck, Colton Dunkle and Jace Williams.