pittsburG state uniVersity no. 20 uniVersity of Central missouri
PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY (0-0, 0-0 MIAA) vs
No. 20 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI (0-0, 0-0 MIAA)
Game 1 • September 1, 2016 • 7 p.M. (CDT) • carnie smith Stadium • pittsburg GAME OffICIALS: dwight neibling (REFEREE), eric cooper (UMPIRE), jake weatherford (HEAD LINESMAN), jeff kopecky (LINE JUDGE), austin hills (SIDE JUDGE), brandon friesen (FIELD JUDGE), brian reeves (BACK JUDGE), blake berke (center judge) PITTSBURG STATE (0-0, 0-0 MIAA) S1 S8 S17 S24 O1 O8 O15 N22 O29 N5 N12
No. 20 CENTRAL MISSOURI *..............7 p.m. at Central Oklahoma *................................7 p.m. NORTHEASTERN STATE *.............................7 p.m. at Lindenwood *........................................6 p.m. at Washburn *............................................1 p.m. FORT HAYS STATE *.....................................2 p.m. at Missouri Western *.................................2 p.m. No. 24 EMPORIA STATE *............................2 p.m. at No. 1 Northwest Missouri *...............2:30 p.m. NEBRASKA-KEARNEY *...............................2 p.m. at Missouri Southern *..........................3:30 p.m.
* MIAA game
CENTRAL MISSOURI S1 S8 S17 S24 O1 O8 O15 O22 O29 N5 N12
(0-0, 0-0 MIAA)
at Pittsburg State *..........................7 p.m. FORT HAYS STATE *.....................................7 p.m. at Missouri Western *.................................6 p.m. No. 24 EMPORIA STATE *............................1 p.m. vs. No. 1 Northwest Missouri *...................5 p.m. NEBRASKA-KEARNEY *...............................1 p.m. at Missouri Southern *...............................6 p.m. WASHBURN *........................................1:30 p.m. CENTRAL OKLAHOMA *..............................1 p.m. at Northeastern State *..............................2 p.m. LINDENWOOD *..........................................1 p.m.
* MIAA game
GORILLAS ON RADIO/TV Gorilla fans can catch all of Pittsburg State’s football games locally on KKOW Radio (860 AM) & Rock 107.1 FM with Eddie Lomshek (play-by-play) and former PSU defensive lineman B.J. Harris (color analyst) describing the action. Fans can hear KKOW’s live broadcasts anywhere in the world on the internet at: www.kkowam.com KKOW’s pregame show begins two hours prior to kickoff (1st hour on 96.9 FM, remainder on 860 AM/107.1 FM) on home games and an hour prior to kickoff on all away games. A detailed scoreboard show follows each contest. The Tim Beck Show also can be heard on KKOW each Monday night from 6:05 to 7 p.m. The show, presented by CDL Electric, is recorded live on location at Gusano’s, 200 E. Centennial Drive, Pittsburg. KSNF TV (Pittsburg cable channel 2) also hosts The Tim Beck Show on Sunday nights following the KSN Hometown News, with KSNF sports director Eric Knecht and Coach Beck recapping the week’s Gorilla football action and previewing upcoming contests. CAPS TV (Pittsburg cable channel 13) also tape delay broadcasts each Pitt State game, home and away, on Tuesday nights.
The Pittsburg State University football team will make its 2016 season debut Thursday (Sept. 1) when the Gorillas play host to MIAA rival University of Central Missouri. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (CDT) at Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium. Pittsburg State, the winningest all-time NCAA Division II program, is embarking upon its 109th season of intercollegiate football at the institution. The Gorillas have accumulated 690 victories, posting a 690-338-48 overall mark. Pitt State returns 13 players who started four or more games (eight offense, five defense) in 2015 and eight players who garnered All-MIAA honors a year ago. Central Missouri finished the 2015 season with an 8-3 overall overall record. The Mules, who are ranked No. 20 in the AFCA/NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 poll (for complete poll see page 33), return 42 letterwinners and 15 starters (six offense, nine defense) from last year’s squad.
The Coaches
Tim Beck enters his seventh season as head coach at Pitt State with a 53-19 (.736) career record. Beck led his alma mater (PSU, ’88) to the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship three seasons ago, earning national coach of the year honors from Liberty Mutual, the Don Hansen Football Committee and FieldTurf™. Beck became the school’s 14th all-time head football coach in December 2009, after serving for 23 seasons as an assistant coach for the Gorillas including 16 years as the team’s offensive coordinator from 1994-2009. In his first season leading the Gorillas, Beck guided Pitt State to a 6-6 record and a victory in the 2010 Mineral Water Bowl. In 2011, Beck led the Gorillas to the program’s second NCAA national championship and the school’s fourth national title overall in a 13-1 campaign. Pitt State captured the MIAA Championship and ultimately the NCAA-II National Championship with a 35-21 victory over Wayne (Mich.) State on Dec. 17, 2011. In 2012, the Gorillas opened the season 5-0 before finishing the year 7-3 overall, while in 2013 Pitt State posted the program’s 20th all-time 10-win season during a 10-2 campaign. In 2014, the Gorillas shared the MIAA regular season title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA-II playoffs during an 11-2 campaign. Last year, a young Pitt State team battled a rash of key injuries to frontline players and the Gorillas had to settle for an uncharacteristic 6-5 season. During his 16 seasons as offensive coordinator, the Gorilla offense consistently ranked among the finest units in NCAA Division II. In 2008, Beck was selected the inaugural NCAA Division II Coordinator of the Year by FootballScoop.com, following a vote of his coaching peers. In 2004, Beck’s offensive unit established itself as the most prolific squad in the history of NCAA football. PSU shattered a 118-year-old scoring record, scoring an amazing 837 points (55.8 ppg). His squad also set the NCAA all division records for rushing (5,320 yards) and total offense (8,976 yards). Beck’s teams led Division II in scoring in two of the last six years (2004, 2006) and ranked in the top two nationally in total offense three times in the last six seasons (2004, 2005, 2006). His squads ranked among the national rushing leaders every season, leading Division II in 1995 (318.8 ypg) and 2004 (354.7 ypg). Beck’s “multiple choice” option attack also compiled 16,483 passing yards (216.9 ypg) and 143 aerial touchdowns during the last six years.
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
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MIAA STANDINGS Team MIAA Overall NW Missouri State (1)........................... 0-0....................0-0 Central Missouri (20).....................0-0................. 0-0 Emporia State (24)................................ 0-0....................0-0 Pittsburg State.............................0-0................. 0-0 Central Oklahoma................................. 0-0....................0-0 Fort Hays State...................................... 0-0....................0-0 Lindenwood.......................................... 0-0....................0-0 Missouri Southern................................. 0-0....................0-0 Missouri Western................................... 0-0....................0-0 Nebraska-Kearney................................. 0-0....................0-0 Northeastern State................................ 0-0....................0-0 Washburn ............................................. 0-0....................0-0 This Week’s Action Thursday, September 1 NSU @ WU, 6 p.m. NWMSU @ ESU, 7 p.m. UCM @ PSU, 7 p.m.
UCO @ LWU, 7 p.m. MSSU @ FHSU, 7 p.m. UNK @ MWSU, 7 p.m.
Next Week’s Action Thursday, September 8 WU @ NWMSU, 7 p.m. FHSU @ UCM, 7 p.m. ESU @ UNK, 7 p.m.
PSU @ UCO, 7 p.m. LWU @ NSU, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 10 MWSU @ MSSU, 6 p.m.
MIAA RECORDS SINCE 1989 Team Record Pct. Pittsburg State........................ 200-46-1.......... .812 Northwest Missouri...........................200-48-0............. .806 Nebraska-Omaha ++.........................17-10-0............. .630 Missouri Western...............................150-97-1............. .607 Central Missouri....................... 149-98-1.......... .603 Truman ^........................................108-109-0............. .498 Emporia State *...............................113-117-0............. .491 Washburn.......................................110-139-0............. .442 Central Oklahoma ***.........................18-24-0............. .429 Missouri Southern...........................101-145-0............. .411 Lindenwood ***.................................14-26-0............. .350 Fort Hays State #.................................31-60-0............. .341 Northeastern State ***.......................10-32-0............. .238 Southwest Baptist **........................39-151-1............. .205 Nebraska-Kearney ***..........................8-33-0............. .195 Missouri S&T +.................................17-126-2............. .124 Lincoln ##.............................................3-36-0............. .077 * ESU joined the MIAA in 1991 + MST left the MIAA following 2004 # FHSU joined the MIAA in 2006 ** SBU opted to play an independent schedule from 2007-11 ++ UNO competed in the MIAA from 2008-10 ## LU returned to the MIAA in 2011, after leaving in 1990 *** UCO, LU, UNK & NSU joined the MIAA in 2012 ^ TSU left the MIAA following 2012
Pitt State averaged a staggering 38.8 points and 442.5 yards of total offense per game during his tenure as offensive coordinator. Prior to assuming the offensive coordinator’s role, Beck served two years as Pitt State’s defensive coordinator (1992-93). He became a full-time assistant on the Pitt State staff in 1989, after serving first as a student assistant (1987) and then as a graduate assistant (1988). This will be Beck’s seventh meeting vs. the Mules. He is 4-2 vs. UCM. Jim Svoboda enters his seventh season directing the Mules program and his 15th year as a collegiate coach. Svoboda (Northwestern College, ’83) has a 47-22-0 (.681) record leading the Mules and a 99-41-0 (.707) career mark. He is 2-4 all-time vs. Pitt State.
The Pitt State-Central Missouri Series
This will be the 53rd all-time meeting between the Gorillas and Mules in a series that dates all the way back to the 1916 season. Pitt State holds a decided 41-9-2 (.824) advantage in the series, including a 20-5-0 record against UCM in Pittsburg. Last year, UCM scored 27 unanswered points to break open a 7-6 game and pull away for a 34-6 victory over Pitt State at Warrensburg, Mo.
Pitt State Among National Home Attendance Leaders
Pitt State led the MIAA and ranked third in NCAA Division II in home game attendance for a third straight year in 2015. The Gorillas averaged 9,856 fans in 7,950-seat Carnie Smith Stadium, filling the venue to 124% capacity with standing-room-only visitors. Pitt State has averaged a sellout crowd of 10,576 fans in its last four home openers dating back to the 2012 season – 133% capacity at Carnie Smith Stadium. Pitt State has led the MIAA in home game attendance for four straight years (2012-15) and 11 of the last 13 seasons dating back to 2003 (2003-09, 2012-15). 2015 NCAA Division II National Attendance Leaders 1. Grand Valley State (GLIAC) 2. Tuskegee (SIAC) 3. PITT STATE (MIAA)
Avg 12,365 10,663 9,856
gorillas at Home
Pitt State holds a 343-125-12 (.727) record in 480 games inside Carnie Smith Stadium (including postseason). The Gorillas have won 143 of their last 163 regular season home games, posting a 143-19-1 record (.880) over the last 31 seasons. Central Missouri is 24-16 (.600) in its last 40 road games dating back to the 2009 season.
PSU’s Regular Season Success
Pitt State has won 281 of its last 335 regular season games, posting a phenomenal 281-52-2 (.842) mark during the past 31 seasons (1985-2015). PSU is 152-19-1 at home, 125-24-1 on the road and 4-9-0 at neutral sites in the regular season during that span.
Gorillas in Season Openers
Pitt State has compiled a 67-36-5 (.644) record in season openers over the program’s 108-year history, including 10 straight season-opening victories. Since the 1978 campaign, Pitt State has built a 33-4-1 (.878) record in season openers with an 18-1 (.944) record the past 19 seasons. The Gorillas also are 19-1 in their last 20 season openers at home dating back to the 1978 season. The lone blemish on Pitt State’s home slate was a 44-31 setback against Delta State on Aug. 27, 2005. 2015 Pittsburg State Scoreboard Score By Quarters 1st 2nd Avg. Pittsburg State Opponents
108 86 17.6 111 93 18.5
3rd 4th Avg.
77 64 12.9 52 58 10.0
OT
0 0
Total
Avg.
335 30.5 314 28.5
2015 Central Missouri Scoreboard Score By Quarters 1st 2nd Avg. 3rd 4th Avg. OT Total Avg. Central Missouri 68 121 17.2 117 84 18.3 0 390 35.5 Opponents 44 48 8.4 69 66 12.2 0 227 20.6
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Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
Pitt State in the AFCA Top 25 Poll
2016 PITT STATE TEAM CAPTAINS At the conclusion of spring drills each year, the Gorillas select captains for the following season by a team vote. Pitt State’s team captains for the 2016 season are: #36 Spencer Brown, 6-0, 214, SR, LB #47 Demetrius Bernard, 6-0, 225, SO, LB #66 Bo Farrow, 6-2, 270, JR, OL #88 Kyle Swartz, 6-2, 248, SR, TE
PSU-UCM OFFENSIVE COMPARISON (2015) Total Offense Yards Central Missouri 5171 Pittsburg State 4405 Rushing Offense Yards Pittsburg State 2548 Central Missouri 2111 Passing Offense Yards Central Missouri 3060 Pittsburg State 1857 Scoring Offense Points Central Missouri 390 Pittsburg State 335 Passing Efficiency C-A-TD-I Yards Central Missouri 229-392-23-8 3060 Pittsburg State 151-288-15-16 1857 Kickoff Returns No/Yards Pittsburg State 44/990 Central Missouri 36/680 Third Down Conversions Tot Pittsburg State 57/161 Central Missouri 60/174 Time of Possession Avg Central Missouri 31:11 Pittsburg State 30:38 Penalties Tot/Yds Central Missouri 57/544 Pittsburg State 78/643
Avg. 470.1 400.5 Avg. 231.6 191.9 Avg. 278.2 168.8 Avg. 35.5 30.5 Rat. 139.3 112.7 Avg. 22.5 18.9 Pct. 35.4% 34.5%
Avg 49.5 58.5
C-A-TD-I 208-410-19-16 203-371-21-13 No/Yards 17/240 19/200
Yards 4024 4443 Yards 1448 1717 Yards 2576 2726 Points 227 314 Yards 2576 2726 Avg. 15.2 10.5 Mar +4 -9 Tot/Net 55/2146 62/2082
All-Time Winningest Programs
Pittsburg State is the all-time winningest NCAA Division II football program. The Gorillas, who are in their 108th season of intercollegiate competition, have compiled a 690-338-48 overall record, winning 66.4 percent of their 1,076 all-time games. Pittsburg State is one of just 20 NCAA Division II institutions to have recorded 500 all-time victories and the Gorillas are just one of five schools to have reached the 600-win plateau. Tuskegee is second on the all-time list with 668 victories, followed by Hillsdale (617), Carson-Newman (614) and Central Oklahoma (609). UCM has a 542-505-51 (.517) record in 121 seasons of intercollegiate play.
QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE
The Pitt State offense has exhibited a penchant for being a “quick strike” unit. During the last 11 seasons (2005-15), the Pitt State offense has generated 735 scoring drives (616 TDs, 119 FGs) and averaged just 2:52 of elapsed time per drive. [Overtime scoring drives not included in elapsed time figures.] 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
97 scoring drives (86 TDs, 11 FGs)...........2:40 elapsed time 79 scoring drives (72 TDs, 7 FGs)..............2:14 elapsed time 64 scoring drives (55 TDs, 9 FGs)..............3:02 elapsed time 69 scoring drives (61 TDs, 8 FGs)..............3:23 elapsed time 49 scoring drives (44 TDs, 5 FGs)..............3:21 elapsed time 41 scoring drives (34 TDs, 7 FGs)..............3:04 elapsed time
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
78 scoring drives (60 TDs, 18 FGs)...........2:54 elapsed time 51 scoring drives (40 TDs, 11 FGs)...........2:58 elapsed time 83 scoring drives (70 TDs, 13 FGs)...........2:29 elapsed time 74 scoring drives (53 TDs, 21 FGs)...........3:06 elapsed time 50 scoring drives (41 TDs, 9 FGs)..............2:53 elapsed time
The Gorillas have been highly successful when they are quick out of the gates. Pitt State has scored on its opening drive 64 times (54 TDs, 10 FGs) in the last 132 games, posting a 59-5 (.922) record in those games. By contrast, Pitt State is 37-31 (.544) in games it doesn’t score on its opening drive during the same span.
The Pitt State Offense
PSU-UCM DEFENSIVE COMPARISON (2015) Total Defense Central Missouri Pittsburg State Rushing Defense Central Missouri Pittsburg State Passing Defense Central Missouri Pittsburg State Scoring Defense Central Missouri Pittsburg State Passing Eff. Defense Central Missouri Pittsburg State Punt Returns Pittsburg State Central Missouri Turnover Margin Pittsburg State Central Missouri Net Punting Pittsburg State Central Missouri
Pitt State has been ranked in Division II’s top 10 116 times in the last 215 polls and the Gorillas have been ranked in the top 25 poll in 183 of 215 weeks overall (dating back to the 1999 season). The Gorillas were preseason ranked among “others receiving votes” in the NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 Poll. [for complete poll, see page 4] UCM comes into Thursday’s contest as the preseason No. 20 team in NCAA Division II. The Gorillas have compiled a 57-44 record (.564) against nationally-ranked teams since joining Division II in 1989. Pitt State is 36-15 (.706) in home games against ranked opponents and 33-27 (.550) vs. ranked MIAA foes.
Avg. 365.8 403.9 Avg. 131.6 156.1 Avg. 234.2 247.8 Avg. 20.6 28.5 Rat. 111.0 128.1
Avg +0.33 -1.33 Avg 36.5 30.5
The Gorillas will look to sophomore John Roderique to lead the Pitt State offense for a second season. Roderique, an honorable mention All-MIAA performer as a freshman transfer in 2015, passed for 1,264 yards and nine touchdowns (210.7 ypg) and rushed for 466 yards (77.7 ypg, 5.8 ypc) and nine scores before suffering a season-ending foot injury in week six. Up front, the Gorillas return three players who started seven or more games in 2015 in All-MIAA center Bo Farrow (6-2, 270), sophomore guards Ryan Cipriani (6-5, 282) and Tyler Stiff (6-4, 307). Additionally, week one starters Dexton Robertson (6-4, 303) and Kelly Wortham (6-3, 273) have returned from medical redshirt seasons. Robertson, a sophomore tackle, suffered a knee injury following week one, while Wortham, a junior guard, went down in week three last year. Additionally, the Gorillas added junior transfer Codey Funk (6-6, 302) to the offensive line group in January. Funk earned All-Conference honors as a tackle in each of the past two seasons at FCS member Abilene Christian University. Sophomore guard Alex Jones (6-4, 297) and redshirt freshman tackle Ryan Dodd (6-5, 300) also figure to see significant action.
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
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In the backfield, the Gorillas return a cast of explosive players led by junior Michael Rose. Rose rushed for 412 yards (51.5 ypg, 5.7 ypc) and five touchdowns in 2015 despite missing three games due to injury. He has 674 career rushing yards (5.5 ypc) with seven TDs. Senior Dre Holman (5-9, 215), junior Steven Sullivan (5-10, 184) and redshirt freshmen Kiah Kintchen (5-9, 185) and Keynan Scheurich (5-9, 212) also figure to battle for playing time. Senior Levi Copelin and junior Austin Panko lead the wide receivers. Copelin (6-2, 190) caught 31 passes for 503 yards (16.2 ypc) and four TDs as a junior in 2015 after transferring from the University of Missouri. Panko (6-0, 192) made 21 catches for 260 yards (12.4 ypc) and one score. Senior Andre Taylor (5-9, 162), junior Ramsey Hamilton (6-2, 204) and sophomore Slade Nordic (6-1, 179) all figure to see action for the Gorillas, along with redshirt freshmen Brenner Clemons (6-2, 214) and Lorenzo West (5-11, 174). At tight end, senior Kyle Swartz (6-2, 248) has 17 career starts to his credit over three playing seasons. He caught 13 passes for 138 yards and four TDs in 2015 after earning third-team All-MIAA honors in 2014. Junior Andy Otting (6-3, 216) figures to battle for playing time along with junior transfer Javon Wilson (6-4, 268) who joined the Gorillas in August from Scottsdale Community College.
The Pitt State Defense
The Gorillas return five starters on the defensive side of the ball, led by an All-MIAA defensive lineman in senior Heath Wilson, two all-conference linebackers in senior Spencer Brown and sophomore Demetrius Bernard and an All-MIAA safety in senior Deron Washington. Wilson (6-3, 256) earned All-MIAA honors for a second straight season in 2015, posting 49 tackles (21 solo) with a team-leading 11.0 tackles-forloss and 7.5 quarterback sacks. In three seasons, Wilson has 146 tackles (41 solo), 28.5 TFLs and 16.5 quarterback sacks. He will be joined at defensive end by juniors Dreu White (6-6, 251) and José Speer (6-2, 243) and redshirt freshman Ned Bingaman (6-4, 210). Sophomores Braxton Early and Drake Humphrey return for second seasons to the interior defensive line. Early (6-3, 262) made 10 tackles and 2.0 TFLs in his rookie campaign, while Humphrey (6-0, 232) made 10 tackles with 1.0 TFL and 0.5 quarterback sack as a true freshman in 2015. Junior transfer Willie Cooper (6-0, 280) and true freshman transfer Simanu’a Thomas (6-0, 293) also figure to see significant action. Cooper came to Pitt State from Holmes (Miss.) Community College, while Thomas, an Independence, Mo., native, signed with the Gorillas from Fort Osage High School. Brown (6-0, 214) garnered All-MIAA recognition at linebacker for a second straight season in 2015. The Lee’s Summit, Mo., native made a team-leading 94 tackles with 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 quarterback sacks and six pass break-ups. He has posted 213 career tackles with 19.0 career TFLs.
2016 NCA A Division II Top 25 Poll [Rel. AUG. 15, 2016] 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9t. 9t. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
School (1st votes) Northwest Missouri (29) West Georgia (1) Grand Valley State Shepherd Colorado State-Pueblo Ashland Minnesota State Indiana (Pa.) Henderson State Texas A&M-Commerce Slippery Rock Ferris State Humboldt State Midwestern State North Alabama Indianapolis Tuskegee Colorado Mines Minnesota-Duluth Central Missouri Assumption Catawba Sioux Falls (S.D.) Emporia State Augustana (S.D.)
W-L 15-0 12-2 12-3 13-1 12-2 10-1 10-2 9-3 11-2 8-4 12-2 11-1 10-2 10-2 9-3 10-2 10-3 8-3 9-3 8-3 11-2 9-3 9-3 11-3 9-3
Pts. 749 676 658 638 581 523 466 364 363 363 360 359 353 344 330 276 241 228 196 184 144 140 125 124 119
Prev. 1 3 4 2 5 10 13 19 12 23 7 6 16 9 15 18 11 NR NR NR 17 25 21t NR 24
Season Opener Sept. 1, at No. 24 Emporia Stsyr Sept. 3, vs. No. 22 Catawbs Sept. 1, vs. Tiffin (Ohio) Sept. 3, vs. West Virginia Wesleyan Sept. 1, at No. 18 Colorado Mines Sept. 1, vs. Mercyhurst Sept. 1, at Minot State Sept. 10, at East Stroudsburg Sept. 1, vs. Southeastern Oklahoma Sept. 1, vs. Faith (Fla.) Sept.3, vs. New Haven Sept. 1, vs. Ohio Dominican Sept. 1, at Carson-Newman Sept. 3, at Truman Sept. 1, at Jacksonville State (FCS) Sept. 3, at Hillsdale Sept. 3, at Clark Atlanta Sept. 1, vs. No. 5 Colorado State-Pueblo Sept. 1, at Southwest Minnesota State Sept. 1, at Pittsburg State Sept. 3, vs. Kutztown Sept. 3, at No. 2 West Georgia Sept. 1, at St. Cloud State Sept. 1, vs. No. 1 Northwest Missouri Sept. 3, vs. Northern State (S.D.)
Head Coach Adam Dorrel Will Hall Matt Mitchell Monte Carter John Wristen Lee Owens Todd Hoffner Curt Cignetti Scott Maxfield Colby Carthel Shawn Lutz Tony Annese Rob Smith Bill Maskill Bobby Wallace Bob Bartolomeo Willie Slater Gregg Brandon Curt Wiese Jim Svoboda Bob Chesney Curtis Walker Jed Stugart Garin Higgins Jerry Olszewski
Others Receiving Votes: Florida Tech, 107; Valdosta State, 99; Pittsburg State, 88; West Chester, 82; Winston-Salem State, 74; Charleston (W. Va.), 60; Carson-Newman, 53; Colorado Mesa, 50; Harding, 40; Albany State (Ga.), 34; Virginia Union, 29; California (Pa.), 25; Angelo State, 19; Azusa Pacific, 13; Miles, 11; Delta State, 9; Michigan Tech, 9; Western Oregon, 9; West Texas A&M, 8; Fort Hays State, 6; Bowie State, 4; Saginaw Valley State, 4; Central Oklahoma, 3; Ouachita Baptist, 3; Ohio Dominican, 2; Texas A&M-Kingsville, 2; Bemidji State, 1; McKendree (Ill.), 1; Newberry, 1.
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Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
Bernard (6-0, 225) made an immediate impact in his first playing season, after battling through a redshirt season and a medical redshirt in 2014. The O’Fallon, Mo., native made 46 tackles with 7.0 TFLs in his rookie campaign to earn honorable mention All-MIAA honors. Junior Ethan Fugitt (6-1, 242) also is expected to be a major contributor in the linebacking corps, while sophomore Carter Anchors (6-1, 190) and redshirt freshman Brett McDonald (6-3, 213) also are expected to challenge for playing time. Senior Tyree Jefferson and sophomore Matt Magee bring veteran experience to Pitt State’s cornerback spots. Jefferson (6-0, 185) made 23 tackles with one interception and six pass breakups in his initial season in the Pitt State program in 2015. Magee (6-0, 180) had 19 tackles with one interception and four PBUs in his debut season. Senior transfer Darrius White (5-11, 182) joined the cornerback corps in August from Georgia Southern University, while redshirt freshmen William Bazzle IV (6-2, 188) and Keeyon Incle (6-0, 181) also are coming off solid spring camps. Washington (6-1, 211) has started all 24 games at safety the past two seasons. The Raymore, Mo., native made 81 tackles with 4.0 TFLs and 10 pass break-ups during his junior campaign, earning second-team All-MIAA recognition. A two-time All-MIAA performer, Washington has compiled 207 career tackles, three interceptions and 18 PBUs. Senior Quad Ware and sophomore Darian Taylor also bring veteran experience to the safety positions. Ware (6-0, 192) made 51 tackles with one interception and two pass break-ups, while Taylor (6-3, 205) had 23 tackles with 2.0 quarterback sacks, two pass break-ups and two forced fumbles. Junior Brady Bradbury (5-10, 190) also returns for a fourth season in the Pitt State program, while junior transfer DeShaughn Terry (6-0, 185) joined the Gorillas from the University of Memphis in January.
Pitt State Special Teams
Senior Chad Levin returns for a second season to handle Pitt State’s place-kicking duties. Levin (5-9, 171) earned honorable mention All-MIAA honors in 2015, converting nine of 12 field goals and 40 of 41 PATs last year. Sophomore Carter Anchors punted 46 times for a 39.5-yard average with nine kicks inside the opponent 20 yard line a year ago. Sophomore Slade Nordic returned 14 kickoffs for a 27.9 yard average, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown, last year, while senior Andre Taylor and junior DeShaughn Terry also could see action on kickoff returns. Junior Austin Panko and senior Darrius White figure to see action as punt returners.
THE LAST TIME…
PSU shut out an opponent: 9/20/14, at Washburn (42-0) PSU was shut out: 11/24/01, at North Dakota (38-0) PSU rallied from a 4th quarter deficit: 10/3/15, vs. Missouri Western (trailed 27-21; won 31-27) PSU lost 4th quarter lead, game: 10/10/15, vs. Emporia State (led 35-32 & 42-39; lost 46-42) PSU committed 2 or fewer penalties: 12/4/10, vs. Concordia-St. Paul (2 penalties - 17 yards) PSU eclipsed 400 yards rushing: 10/24/09, vs. Fort Hays State (406 yards) PSU eclipsed 500 yards rushing: 10/2/04, at Washburn (538 yards) A Gorilla eclipsed 100 yards rushing: 9/26/15, John Roderique, Jr. (117) vs. Fort Hays State A Gorilla eclipsed 200 yards rushing: 11/15/08, Mark Smith vs. Nebraska-Omaha (212) A Gorilla eclipsed 300 yards rushing: 11/11/05, Germaine Race vs. Central Missouri (309) A Gorilla rushed for 4 TDs: 11/22/08, Brandon Clark vs. Northwest Missouri (4 TDs) PSU eclipsed 300 yards passing: 11/8/14, vs. Central Missouri (428 yards) PSU eclipsed 400 yards passing: 11/8/14, vs. Central Missouri (428 yards) A Gorilla eclipsed 300 yards passing: 11/8/14, Anthony Abenoja, vs. Central Missouri (428 yards) A Gorilla eclipsed 350 yards passing: 11/8/14, Anthony Abenoja, vs. Central Missouri (428 yards) A Gorilla passed for 4 TDs: 10/11/14, Anthony Abenoja, vs. Harding (4 TDs) PSU eclipsed 600 yards of total offense: 11/8/14, vs Central Missouri (605 yards) PSU eclipsed 700 yards of total offense: 9/28/13, at Lincoln (787 yards) A Gorilla eclipsed 350 yards of total offense: 10/10/15, John Roderique, Jr., vs. Emporia State (372 yards) A Gorilla eclipsed 400 yards of total offense: 11/8/14, Anthony Abenoja, vs. Cent. Missouri (446 yards) A Gorilla eclipsed 100 yards receiving: 10/3/15, Marquise Cushon (104 yards) vs. Missouri Western A Gorilla eclipsed 200 yards receiving: 11/8/14, Marquise Cushon (221 yards) vs. Central Missouri A Gorilla caught 2 TDs: 11/29/14, Gavin Lutman, vs. Minnesota State (2 TDs) A Gorilla caught 3 TDs: 11/22/14, Austin Panko vs. Harding (3 TDs) PSU returned a punt for a TD: 9/22/12, John Brown, 68 yards vs. Lincoln * PSU returned a kickoff for a TD: 10/31/15, Slade Nordic, 100 yards vs. Missouri Southern PSU returned an interception for a TD: 10/31/15, Dino Teague, 51 yards vs. Missouri Southern PSU returned a fumble for a TD: 11/22/14, Heath Wilson, 28 yards vs. Harding PSU had a punt returned for a TD: none since 1982, individual game stats n/a prior to 1982 * PSU had a kickoff returned for a TD: 10/30/10, Camren Torneden, Nebraska-Omaha (94 yards) PSU had an interception returned for a TD: 10/24/15, Shai Harris, Nebraska-Kearney (35 yards) PSU had a fumble returned for a TD: 11/7/15, Josh Powell, Central Missouri (33 yards) * excluding blocks
Scouting the Mules
Senior quarterback Garrett Fugate returns to lead the UCM offense. Fugate (6-3, 210) completed 187 of 321 passes for 2,613 yards and 18 touchdowns with just six interceptions in 2015. He also rushed 147 times for 519 yards and eight scores. Junior wide receiver Jaylen Zachery (6-0, 185) caught 51 passes for 933 yards (18.3 ypc) and five scores, while junior wide receiver Kyle Echols (6-2, 185) caught 24 passes for 346 yards (14.4 ypc) and three TDs. The Mules averaged 35.5 points and 470.1 total yards per game in 2015. Junior linebacker Austin Miller made a team-leading 86 tackles (44 solo) with 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 quarterback sacks, three interceptions and 10 PBUs in 2015, while senior defensive end Josh Powell posted 30 tackles (15 solo) with 6.5 TFLs, 4.5 QB sacks and two fumble recoveries. UCM limited its opposition to 20.6 points and 365.8 total yards per game in 2015. Sophomore placekicker Billy Greco converted 17 of 22 field goals a year ago.
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
5
PITT STATE “Gorillas” 2-Deep PITTSBURG STATE OFFENSE
PITTSBURG STATE DEFENSE
WR TE LT LG C RG RT WR WR QB RB
8 7 88 89 79 74 72 70 66 68 71 76 73 62 17 2 18 84 19 10 30 33
Levi Copelin (6-2, 190, Sr.) Ramsey Hamilton (6-2, 204, Jr.-RS) Kyle Swartz (6-2, 248, Sr.) Andy Otting (6-3, 240, Jr.) Codey Funk (6-6, 305, Jr.) Jacob Ralph (6-6, 302, Jr.) Ryan Cipriani (6-5, 282, Jr.) Tyler Stiff (6-4, 307, So.) Bo Farrow (6-2, 270, Jr.) Benton Sinclair (6-0, 272, Fr.-RS) Alex Jones (6-4, 297, So.) Chase Carney (6-5, 260, Jr.) Ryan Dodd (6-5, 300, Fr.-RS) Dexton Robertson (6-4, 303, So.-RS) Austin Panko (6-0, 192, Jr.) Andre Taylor (5-9, 162, Sr.) Brenner Clemons (6-2, 214, Fr.-RS) Lorenzo West (5-11, 174, Fr.-RS) John Roderique (6-4, 220, So.) Thomas LePage (6-3, 198, Jr.) Michael Rose (5-10, 177, Jr.) Dre Holman (5-9, 215, Sr.)
DE DT DT DE LB LB CB SS FS WS CB
85 90 98 99 95 92 55 91 47 15 36 52 13 35 11 16 9 32 22 38 34 4
Dreu White (6-6, 251, Jr.) José Speer (6-2, 243, Jr.) Braxton Early (6-3, 262, So.) Willie Cooper (6-0, 280, Jr.) Drake Humphrey (6-0, 240, So.) Simanu’a Thomas (6-0, 292, Fr.) Heath Wilson (6-3, 256, Sr.) Ned Bingaman (6-4, 210, Fr.-RS) Demetrius Bernard (6-0, 225, So.) Ethan Fugitt (6-1, 242, Jr.) Spencer Brown (6-0, 214, Sr.) Brett McDonald (6-3, 213, Fr.-RS) Darrius White (5-11, 182, Sr.) Matt Magee (6-0, 180, So.) Darian Taylor (6-3, 205, So.) Brady Bradbury (5-10, 190, Jr.) DeShaughn Terry (6-0, 185, Jr.) Quad Ware (6-0, 192, Sr.) Deron Washington (6-1, 211, Sr.) Josh Hornback (6-2, 174, Fr.-RS) Will Bazzle IV (6-2, 188, Fr.-RS) Tyree Jefferson (6-0, 185, Sr.)
PK LS H
46 63 17
Chad Levin (5-9, 171, Sr.) Nick Weisenborn (6-4, 282, Sr.) Austin Panko (6-0, 192, Jr.)
P PR KR
43 17 2 9
Carter Anchors (6-1, 190, So.) Austin Panko (6-0, 192, Jr.) Andre Taylor (5-9, 162, Sr.) DeShaughn Terry (6-0, 185, Jr.)
CENTRAL MISSOURI OFFENSE
CENTRAL MISSOURI DEFENSE
WR TE LT LG C RG RT WR WR QB RB
1 80 85 87 55 77 54 68 60 59 72 61 78 71 19 16 5 4 10 11 21 24
Jaylen Zachery (6-0, 185, Jr.) Tyus Franks (6-4, 195, Fr.-RS) Seth Hebert (6-4, 245, So.) Tyler Nugent (6-6, 235, Jr.) Derrick Puni (6-6, 300, Jr.) Drew Oberle (6-5, 270, Fr.-RS) Chris Gomez (6-3, 310, Jr.) Connor Hill (6-4, 275, Fr.-RS) Jake Heckler (6-4, 270, Fr.-RS) Nate Farnsworth (6-3, 260, Fr.) Layne Fischer (6-4, 310, Jr.) Terrance Pryor, Jr. (6-3, 290, Fr.-RS) Nick Warren (6-4, 275, So.) Kane Barker (6-3, 280, Jr.) Kyle Echols (6-2, 185, Jr.) Tyler Jones (6-2, 200, Sr.) Andrew Bakker (6-3, 205, Sr.) Alex Strong (6-4, 195, Sr.) Garrett Fugate (6-3, 210, Sr.) Eric Siebenshuh (6-4, 220, Jr.) Gabe Vandiver (5-10, 190, Sr.) Xavier Washpun (5-10, 205, Jr.)
DE NG DE LB LB LB LB CB FS SS CB
97 98 64 90 44 92 41 9 39 51 22 56 49 17 8 3 42 31 6 35 26 13
Josh Powell (6-3, 265, Sr.) Wyatt Hendrix (6-5, 230, Fr.-RS) Delainey Taala (6-1, 300, So.) Triphinue Taylor (6-3, 300, Jr.) Connor Flagel (6-5, 280, Jr.) Tony Leachman (6-3, 295, Jr.) Jack Cronin (6-3, 250, Sr.) J.R. Alexander (6-0, 220, Sr.) Alex Lackey (6-1, 235, Jr.) Rick Pesek (6-3, 230, So.) Mark Cushing (6-0, 230, Jr.) Michael Tannehill (6-2, 225, So.) Austin Miller (6-0, 235, Jr.) Jordan Conaty (6-4, 220, Jr.) Diaron Rhodes (5-9, 180, Jr.) Travion Vaughn (6-1, 190, Jr.) Jackson Newman (6-1, 195, So.) Tanner Kanak (6-3, 210, So.) Tevin Teamer (6-4, 220, Jr.) Dylan Albertson (6-2, 205, So.) Monteze Latimore (6-0, 195, Jr.) Blake Cooper (6-1, 180, Fr.-RS)
PK LS H
47 46 2
Billy Greco (5-10, 180, So.) Garrett Cline (6-4, 220, Jr.) Brook Bolles (6-3, 205, So.)
P PR KR
34 1 1 42
Logan Offner (6-0, 185, Fr.-RS) Jaylen Zachery (6-0, 185, Jr.) Jaylen Zachery (6-0, 185, Jr.) Jackson Newman (6-1, 195, So.)
6
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
Pitt State Numerical Roster NO NAME POS 1 Slade Nordic WR 2 Andre Taylor WR 3 Kiah Kintchen RB 4 Tyree Jefferson CB 6 Javon Wilson TE 7 Ramsey Hamilton WR 8 Levi Copelin WR 9 DeShaughn Terry S 10 Thomas LePage QB 11 Darian Taylor S 12 Tanner Eikenbary S 13 Darrius White CB 14 Luke Walstad QB 15 Ethan Fugitt LB 16 Brady Bradbury S 17 Austin Panko WR 18 Brenner Clemons WR 19 John Roderique QB
HT WT 6-1 179 5-9 162 5-9 185 6-0 185 6-4 268 6-2 204 6-2 190 6-0 185
CL SO SR FR SR JR JR SR JR
EXP 1L 1L RS 1L TR 2L 1L TR
HOMETOWN Bartlesville, Okla. St. Petersburg, Fla. Kansas City, Mo. Philadelphia, Pa. Detroit, Mich. Beggs, Okla. Broken Arrow, Okla. Blue Springs, Mo.
6-3 198 6-3 205 6-1 202 5-11 182 6-2 202 6-1 242 5-10 190 6-0 192 6-2 214 6-4 220
JR SO SO SR FR JR JR JR FR SO
2L 1L 1L TR TR 2L 2L 2L RS 1L
Jefferson City, Mo. Manhattan, Kan. Kansas City, Kan. Belton, Texas Andale, Kan. Oak Grove, Mo. Adair, Okla. Lee’s Summit, Mo. Lee’s Summit, Mo. Webb City, Mo.
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Keeyon Incle Deron Washington DeMarcus Edwards Keynan Scheurich Ciyre Simmons Aren Martin Jonathon Gilkey Ryan McNerlin Steven Sullivan
CB S RB RB CB S CB S RB
6-0 181 6-1 211 5-11 197 5-9 212 6-0 190 6-1 190 5-9 165 5-9 190 5-10 184
FR SR SO FR JR JR SO JR JR
RS 3L SQ RS TR SQ SQ SQ 2L
Blue Springs, Mo. Raymore, Mo. Lee Summit, Mo. Carl Junction, Mo. Phoenix, Ariz. Lebanon, Mo. Lee Summit, Mo. Stilwell, Kan. Blue Springs, Mo.
30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39
Michael Rose RB Jaxon Wright S Quad Ware S Dre Holman RB William Bazzle IV CB Matt McGee CB Spencer Brown LB Derrick Banks S Josh Hornback S Cassius Hill S
5-10 177 6-0 174 6-0 192 5-9 215 6-2 188 6-0 180 6-0 214 6-0 179 6-2 174 5-10 170
JR JR SR SR FR SO SR SO FR FR
2L SQ 3L 2L RS 1L 3L SQ RS RS
Albuquerque, N.M. Holton, Kan. Broken Arrow, Okla. Oklahoma City, Okla. Kansas City, Mo. Carl Junction, Mo. Lee’s Summit, Mo. Arkansas City, Kan. Wichita, Kan. Oklahoma City, Okla.
40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48
Nick Wuthnow S Cale McMakin LB Kohl Slaughter TE Carter Anchors LB/P Drew Dawson S Zane Roark RB Chad Levin PK Demetrius Bernard LB Levi Wyrick DE
5-11 197 6-1 213 6-2 220 6-1 190 6-2 193 5-8 217 5-9 171 6-0 225 6-4 225
SO FR SO SO SO FR SR SO FR
SQ TR SQ 1L SQ TR 1L 1L RS
New Cambria, Kan. Overland Park, Kan. Webb City, Mo. Kansas City. Mo. Pittsburg, Kan. Columbus, Kan. Bentonville, Ark. O’Fallon, Mo. Elk City, Kan.
DL LB LB LB LB DE LB LB LB LB
5-11 240 6-4 220 6-3 213 6-0 204 6-0 232 6-3 256 6-0 225 6-2 225 6-0 231 6-2 217
JR JR FR SR FR SR SR FR FR FR
1L TR RS SQ RS 3L TR RS RS RS
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Blue Springs, Mo. Lamar, Mo. Pittsburg, Kan. Valley Center, Kan. Wagoner, Okla. Kansas City, Kan. Savonburg, Kan. Stilwell, Kan. Carl Junction, Mo.
OL OL OL OL DL OL OL DL
6-4 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-5
FR SO SR FR JR JR FR FR
RS RS SQ RS SQ 2L RS TR
Lawton, Okla. Cashion, Okla. St. Peters, Mo. Anthony, Kan. O’Fallon, Mo. Broken Arrow, Okla. Lee’s Summit, Mo. Lamar, Mo.
50 DeShane Lewis 51 Kyle Brown 52 Brett McDonald 53 Drew Gill 54 Dylan Scheer 55 Heath Wilson 56 LaRon Mitchell, Jr. 57 Jacob Carpenter 58 Dylan Smith 59 Kaden Brannin 61 Connor Cherry 62 Dexton Robertson 63 Nick Weisenborn 64 Jaden Helms 65 Ben Saint 66 Bo Farrow 68 Benton Sinclair 69 Trenton Mooney
233 303 282 300 298 270 272 275
NO NAME 70 Tyler Stiff 71 Alex Jones 72 Ryan Cipriani 73 Ryan Dodd 74 Jacob Ralph 75 Tyler Brave 76 Chase Carney 77 Kelley Wortham 79 Codey Funk
POS OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL
HT WT 6-4 307 6-4 297 6-5 282 6-5 300 6-6 302 6-4 301 6-5 255 6-3 273 6-6 305
CL SO SO JR FR JR FR JR JR JR
EXP 1L 1L 1L RS 1L RS 1L 1L TR
HOMETOWN Liberty, Mo. Lawrence, Kan. Overland Park, Kan. Lee’s Summit, Mo. Bentonville, Ark. Lake St. Louis, Mo. Fayetteville, Ark. Yukon, Okla. Gridley, Ill.
80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89
Bryce Barto Jackson Krull Dash Cameron Sam Randall Lorenzo West Dreu White Grayson Handel Trey Myers Kyle Swartz Andy Otting
TE TE WR WR WR DE WR DE TE TE
6-3 210 6-6 247 5-10 178 6-0 193 5-11 174 6-6 251 6-1 175 6-4 245 6-2 248 6-3 216
FR FR FR FR FR SR SO SR SR JR
TR RS RS RS RS 1L SQ SQ 3L 1L
Frontenac, Kan. Smithville, Mo. Herman, Neb. Stilwell, Kan. Lawton, Okla. Kansas City, Kan. Lee Summit, Mo. Kansas City, Mo. Olathe, Kan. Topeka, Kan.
90 91 92 93 95 97 98 99
José Speer Ned Bingaman Simanu’a Thomas Brock Byford Drake Humphrey Danny Williams Braxton Early Willie Cooper
DE DE DL DE DL DL DL DL
6-2 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-3 6-3 6-0
243 210 293 250 240 304 248 280
JR FR FR JR SO FR SO JR
1L RS HS TR 1L RS 1L TR
Webb City, Mo. Overland Park, Kan. Independence, Mo. Edmond, Okla. Web City, Mo. Wentzville, Mo. Grove Hill, Ala. Savannah, Ga.
5-10 197 6-3 211 6-3 315 5-11 245 6-0 168 6-0 216 6-1 334 6-2 186 6-5 230 6-3 326 5-7 145 6-3 270 6-4 290 5-9 175 5-11 175 6-3 252 6-5 336 6-1 173 6-3 306 6-1 205 6-2 187 5-11 206 6-5 270 6-5 243 5-10 200 6-1 214 6-1 193 6-0 175 6-0 215 6-0 192 6-0 166 6-2 262 6-3 292 6-5 250 6-1 200 6-1 285 5-10 180 6-2 185
FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR JR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR
HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS RS HS HS HS TR HS HS HS HS HS HS RS HS HS HS HS HS HS RS HS
Broken Arrow, Okla. Paris, Texas Skiatook, Okla. Independence, Mo. Carthage, Mo. Lamar, Mo. Forney, Texas Broken Arrow, Okla. Marian, Ill. Overland Park, Kan. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Harrisonville, Mo. Carbondale, Kan. Rossville, Kan. Wichita, Kan. Broken Arrow, Okla. Chesterfield, Mo. Denison, Texas Pittsburg, Kan. Adair, Okla. Blue Springs, Mo. Wichita, Kan. Louisburg, Kan. Overland Park, Kan. Lamar, Mo. Pittsburg, Kan. Pittsburg, Kan. Wichita, Kan. Tampa, Fla. Frontenac, Kan. Liberty, Mo. Topeka, Kan. McKinney, Texas Salina, Kan. Pittsburg, Kan. Louisburg, Kan. Claremore, Okla. Augusta, Kan.
ADDITIONAL SQUAD MEMBERS Tyler Adkins RB Quez Allen QB Grant Appelberg OL D’Vontae Brown RB Alex Derryberry WR Keegan Duncan LS Norris Floyd, Jr. DL Brendon Franklin WR Sam Gibson TE Jared Green OL Kedrick Greene WR Tanner Gulick OL Cody Hastings OL Tucker Horak RB Colter Hullings WR Gage Kaiser DE Minsok Lee OL Brendon Luper S Sage Mahnken OL Brock Martin WR Micah Mayberry CB Isaac McClure LB Kyle McLellan TE Jon Meyer DE Todd Morrow PK/P Garrett Normand TE Zack Roark S Creighton Sanders S Cole Schaller QB Austin Seward P Sidney Shumate S Will Stringer OL Zach Thomas OL Jerod Toogood DL Spencer Turnbull QB Anders Vance OL Jared Vincent PK/P Logan Weakley S
COACHING STAFF: Tim Beck, Head Coach; Dave Wiemers, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator; Steve Rampy, Offensive Coordinator; Lance Cullen, Safeties; Ryan Hellwig, Defensive Line; Matt Karleskint, Wide Receivers; John Pierce, Running Backs; Carl Roth, Linebackers; Steve Wells, Offensive Line; Larry Garman, In-Season Recruiting; Luke Miller, Tight Ends; Matt Nelson, Strength Training/Nutrition; Trey Derryberry, Graduate Assistant; Chance Riley, Graduate Assistant; Travis Young, Student Assistant.
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
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2015 FINAL SEASON STATISTICS
8
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
9
10
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
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12
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
2015 Starting Lineups OFFENSE Northeastern State Lindenwood Washburn Fort Hays State Missouri Western Emporia State Northwest Missouri Nebraska-Kearney Missouri Southern Central Missouri Central Oklahoma DEFENSE Northeastern State Lindenwood Washburn Fort Hays State Missouri Western Emporia State Northwest Missouri Nebraska-Kearney Missouri Southern Central Missouri Central Oklahoma
WR Copelin Copelin Copelin Copelin Copelin Copelin Copelin Copelin Shaw Copelin Copelin DE Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson
WR/TE Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon NG Irvin Irvin Irvin Humphrey Irvin Irvin Irvin Irvin Irvin Irvin Irvin
LT Carney Carney Carney Carney Carney Carney Carney Carney Carney Carney Ralph DT/LB Bessette Bessette Hefley Hefley Bessette Bernard Bessette Bernard Bernard Bernard Bessette
LG Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater DE Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland
C Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow LB Hall Hall Hall Hall Hall Hall Hall Keeley Hall Hall Hall
RG Wortham Wortham Wortham Stiff Stiff Stiff Stiff Stiff Stiff Stiff Wall LB S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
RT Robertson Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani CB Teague Teague Teague Teague Teague Teague Teague Teague Teague Jefferson Jefferson
WR/TE Swartz Daniel Daniel Swartz Swartz Swartz Daniel Swartz Daniel Swartz Panko SS (Gorilla) Gatson Gatson Gatson Gatson Gatson Bradbury Bradbury D. Taylor D. Taylor D. Taylor D. Taylor
WR/FB/TE Daniel Cardinal Panko Otting Daniel Daniel Panko Rose Panko Panko Rose FS Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington
QB Roderique Roderique Roderique Roderique Roderique Roderique LePage LePage LePage LePage LePage S (Bandit) Moore Moore Moore Moore Moore Moore Ware Ware Ware Ware Ware
TB/WR Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold CB Walker Walker Walker Walker Walker Walker Walker Walker Magee Magee Magee
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No. 20 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI (0-0, 0-0 MIAA)
Game 1 • September 1, 2016 • 7 p.M. (CDT) • carnie smith Stadium • pittsburg GAME OffICIALS: dwight neibling (REFEREE), eric cooper (UMPIRE), jake weatherford (HEAD LINESMAN), jeff kopecky (LINE JUDGE), austin hills (SIDE JUDGE), brandon friesen (FIELD JUDGE), brian reeves (BACK JUDGE), blake berke (center judge) PITTSBURG STATE (0-0, 0-0 MIAA) S1 S8 S17 S24 O1 O8 O15 N22 O29 N5 N12
No. 20 CENTRAL MISSOURI *..............7 p.m. at Central Oklahoma *................................7 p.m. NORTHEASTERN STATE *.............................7 p.m. at Lindenwood *........................................6 p.m. at Washburn *............................................1 p.m. FORT HAYS STATE *.....................................2 p.m. at Missouri Western *.................................2 p.m. No. 24 EMPORIA STATE *............................2 p.m. at No. 1 Northwest Missouri *...............2:30 p.m. NEBRASKA-KEARNEY *...............................2 p.m. at Missouri Southern *..........................3:30 p.m.
* MIAA game
CENTRAL MISSOURI S1 S8 S17 S24 O1 O8 O15 O22 O29 N5 N12
(0-0, 0-0 MIAA)
at Pittsburg State *..........................7 p.m. FORT HAYS STATE *.....................................7 p.m. at Missouri Western *.................................6 p.m. No. 24 EMPORIA STATE *............................1 p.m. vs. No. 1 Northwest Missouri *...................5 p.m. NEBRASKA-KEARNEY *...............................1 p.m. at Missouri Southern *...............................6 p.m. WASHBURN *........................................1:30 p.m. CENTRAL OKLAHOMA *..............................1 p.m. at Northeastern State *..............................2 p.m. LINDENWOOD *..........................................1 p.m.
* MIAA game
GORILLAS ON RADIO/TV Gorilla fans can catch all of Pittsburg State’s football games locally on KKOW Radio (860 AM) & Rock 107.1 FM with Eddie Lomshek (play-by-play) and former PSU defensive lineman B.J. Harris (color analyst) describing the action. Fans can hear KKOW’s live broadcasts anywhere in the world on the internet at: www.kkowam.com KKOW’s pregame show begins two hours prior to kickoff (1st hour on 96.9 FM, remainder on 860 AM/107.1 FM) on home games and an hour prior to kickoff on all away games. A detailed scoreboard show follows each contest. The Tim Beck Show also can be heard on KKOW each Monday night from 6:05 to 7 p.m. The show, presented by CDL Electric, is recorded live on location at Gusano’s, 200 E. Centennial Drive, Pittsburg. KSNF TV (Pittsburg cable channel 2) also hosts The Tim Beck Show on Sunday nights following the KSN Hometown News, with KSNF sports director Eric Knecht and Coach Beck recapping the week’s Gorilla football action and previewing upcoming contests. CAPS TV (Pittsburg cable channel 13) also tape delay broadcasts each Pitt State game, home and away, on Tuesday nights.
The Pittsburg State University football team will make its 2016 season debut Thursday (Sept. 1) when the Gorillas play host to MIAA rival University of Central Missouri. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (CDT) at Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium. Pittsburg State, the winningest all-time NCAA Division II program, is embarking upon its 109th season of intercollegiate football at the institution. The Gorillas have accumulated 690 victories, posting a 690-338-48 overall mark. Pitt State returns 13 players who started four or more games (eight offense, five defense) in 2015 and eight players who garnered All-MIAA honors a year ago. Central Missouri finished the 2015 season with an 8-3 overall overall record. The Mules, who are ranked No. 20 in the AFCA/NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 poll (for complete poll see page 33), return 42 letterwinners and 15 starters (six offense, nine defense) from last year’s squad.
The Coaches
Tim Beck enters his seventh season as head coach at Pitt State with a 53-19 (.736) career record. Beck led his alma mater (PSU, ’88) to the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship three seasons ago, earning national coach of the year honors from Liberty Mutual, the Don Hansen Football Committee and FieldTurf™. Beck became the school’s 14th all-time head football coach in December 2009, after serving for 23 seasons as an assistant coach for the Gorillas including 16 years as the team’s offensive coordinator from 1994-2009. In his first season leading the Gorillas, Beck guided Pitt State to a 6-6 record and a victory in the 2010 Mineral Water Bowl. In 2011, Beck led the Gorillas to the program’s second NCAA national championship and the school’s fourth national title overall in a 13-1 campaign. Pitt State captured the MIAA Championship and ultimately the NCAA-II National Championship with a 35-21 victory over Wayne (Mich.) State on Dec. 17, 2011. In 2012, the Gorillas opened the season 5-0 before finishing the year 7-3 overall, while in 2013 Pitt State posted the program’s 20th all-time 10-win season during a 10-2 campaign. In 2014, the Gorillas shared the MIAA regular season title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA-II playoffs during an 11-2 campaign. Last year, a young Pitt State team battled a rash of key injuries to frontline players and the Gorillas had to settle for an uncharacteristic 6-5 season. During his 16 seasons as offensive coordinator, the Gorilla offense consistently ranked among the finest units in NCAA Division II. In 2008, Beck was selected the inaugural NCAA Division II Coordinator of the Year by FootballScoop.com, following a vote of his coaching peers. In 2004, Beck’s offensive unit established itself as the most prolific squad in the history of NCAA football. PSU shattered a 118-year-old scoring record, scoring an amazing 837 points (55.8 ppg). His squad also set the NCAA all division records for rushing (5,320 yards) and total offense (8,976 yards). Beck’s teams led Division II in scoring in two of the last six years (2004, 2006) and ranked in the top two nationally in total offense three times in the last six seasons (2004, 2005, 2006). His squads ranked among the national rushing leaders every season, leading Division II in 1995 (318.8 ypg) and 2004 (354.7 ypg). Beck’s “multiple choice” option attack also compiled 16,483 passing yards (216.9 ypg) and 143 aerial touchdowns during the last six years.
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
1
MIAA STANDINGS Team MIAA Overall NW Missouri State (1)........................... 0-0....................0-0 Central Missouri (20).....................0-0................. 0-0 Emporia State (24)................................ 0-0....................0-0 Pittsburg State.............................0-0................. 0-0 Central Oklahoma................................. 0-0....................0-0 Fort Hays State...................................... 0-0....................0-0 Lindenwood.......................................... 0-0....................0-0 Missouri Southern................................. 0-0....................0-0 Missouri Western................................... 0-0....................0-0 Nebraska-Kearney................................. 0-0....................0-0 Northeastern State................................ 0-0....................0-0 Washburn ............................................. 0-0....................0-0 This Week’s Action Thursday, September 1 NSU @ WU, 6 p.m. NWMSU @ ESU, 7 p.m. UCM @ PSU, 7 p.m.
UCO @ LWU, 7 p.m. MSSU @ FHSU, 7 p.m. UNK @ MWSU, 7 p.m.
Next Week’s Action Thursday, September 8 WU @ NWMSU, 7 p.m. FHSU @ UCM, 7 p.m. ESU @ UNK, 7 p.m.
PSU @ UCO, 7 p.m. LWU @ NSU, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 10 MWSU @ MSSU, 6 p.m.
MIAA RECORDS SINCE 1989 Team Record Pct. Pittsburg State........................ 200-46-1.......... .812 Northwest Missouri...........................200-48-0............. .806 Nebraska-Omaha ++.........................17-10-0............. .630 Missouri Western...............................150-97-1............. .607 Central Missouri....................... 149-98-1.......... .603 Truman ^........................................108-109-0............. .498 Emporia State *...............................113-117-0............. .491 Washburn.......................................110-139-0............. .442 Central Oklahoma ***.........................18-24-0............. .429 Missouri Southern...........................101-145-0............. .411 Lindenwood ***.................................14-26-0............. .350 Fort Hays State #.................................31-60-0............. .341 Northeastern State ***.......................10-32-0............. .238 Southwest Baptist **........................39-151-1............. .205 Nebraska-Kearney ***..........................8-33-0............. .195 Missouri S&T +.................................17-126-2............. .124 Lincoln ##.............................................3-36-0............. .077 * ESU joined the MIAA in 1991 + MST left the MIAA following 2004 # FHSU joined the MIAA in 2006 ** SBU opted to play an independent schedule from 2007-11 ++ UNO competed in the MIAA from 2008-10 ## LU returned to the MIAA in 2011, after leaving in 1990 *** UCO, LU, UNK & NSU joined the MIAA in 2012 ^ TSU left the MIAA following 2012
Pitt State averaged a staggering 38.8 points and 442.5 yards of total offense per game during his tenure as offensive coordinator. Prior to assuming the offensive coordinator’s role, Beck served two years as Pitt State’s defensive coordinator (1992-93). He became a full-time assistant on the Pitt State staff in 1989, after serving first as a student assistant (1987) and then as a graduate assistant (1988). This will be Beck’s seventh meeting vs. the Mules. He is 4-2 vs. UCM. Jim Svoboda enters his seventh season directing the Mules program and his 15th year as a collegiate coach. Svoboda (Northwestern College, ’83) has a 47-22-0 (.681) record leading the Mules and a 99-41-0 (.707) career mark. He is 2-4 all-time vs. Pitt State.
The Pitt State-Central Missouri Series
This will be the 53rd all-time meeting between the Gorillas and Mules in a series that dates all the way back to the 1916 season. Pitt State holds a decided 41-9-2 (.824) advantage in the series, including a 20-5-0 record against UCM in Pittsburg. Last year, UCM scored 27 unanswered points to break open a 7-6 game and pull away for a 34-6 victory over Pitt State at Warrensburg, Mo.
Pitt State Among National Home Attendance Leaders
Pitt State led the MIAA and ranked third in NCAA Division II in home game attendance for a third straight year in 2015. The Gorillas averaged 9,856 fans in 7,950-seat Carnie Smith Stadium, filling the venue to 124% capacity with standing-room-only visitors. Pitt State has averaged a sellout crowd of 10,576 fans in its last four home openers dating back to the 2012 season – 133% capacity at Carnie Smith Stadium. Pitt State has led the MIAA in home game attendance for four straight years (2012-15) and 11 of the last 13 seasons dating back to 2003 (2003-09, 2012-15). 2015 NCAA Division II National Attendance Leaders 1. Grand Valley State (GLIAC) 2. Tuskegee (SIAC) 3. PITT STATE (MIAA)
Avg 12,365 10,663 9,856
gorillas at Home
Pitt State holds a 343-125-12 (.727) record in 480 games inside Carnie Smith Stadium (including postseason). The Gorillas have won 143 of their last 163 regular season home games, posting a 143-19-1 record (.880) over the last 31 seasons. Central Missouri is 24-16 (.600) in its last 40 road games dating back to the 2009 season.
PSU’s Regular Season Success
Pitt State has won 281 of its last 335 regular season games, posting a phenomenal 281-52-2 (.842) mark during the past 31 seasons (1985-2015). PSU is 152-19-1 at home, 125-24-1 on the road and 4-9-0 at neutral sites in the regular season during that span.
Gorillas in Season Openers
Pitt State has compiled a 67-36-5 (.644) record in season openers over the program’s 108-year history, including 10 straight season-opening victories. Since the 1978 campaign, Pitt State has built a 33-4-1 (.878) record in season openers with an 18-1 (.944) record the past 19 seasons. The Gorillas also are 19-1 in their last 20 season openers at home dating back to the 1978 season. The lone blemish on Pitt State’s home slate was a 44-31 setback against Delta State on Aug. 27, 2005. 2015 Pittsburg State Scoreboard Score By Quarters 1st 2nd Avg. Pittsburg State Opponents
108 86 17.6 111 93 18.5
3rd 4th Avg.
77 64 12.9 52 58 10.0
OT
0 0
Total
Avg.
335 30.5 314 28.5
2015 Central Missouri Scoreboard Score By Quarters 1st 2nd Avg. 3rd 4th Avg. OT Total Avg. Central Missouri 68 121 17.2 117 84 18.3 0 390 35.5 Opponents 44 48 8.4 69 66 12.2 0 227 20.6
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Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
Pitt State in the AFCA Top 25 Poll
2016 PITT STATE TEAM CAPTAINS At the conclusion of spring drills each year, the Gorillas select captains for the following season by a team vote. Pitt State’s team captains for the 2016 season are: #36 Spencer Brown, 6-0, 214, SR, LB #47 Demetrius Bernard, 6-0, 225, SO, LB #66 Bo Farrow, 6-2, 270, JR, OL #88 Kyle Swartz, 6-2, 248, SR, TE
PSU-UCM OFFENSIVE COMPARISON (2015) Total Offense Yards Central Missouri 5171 Pittsburg State 4405 Rushing Offense Yards Pittsburg State 2548 Central Missouri 2111 Passing Offense Yards Central Missouri 3060 Pittsburg State 1857 Scoring Offense Points Central Missouri 390 Pittsburg State 335 Passing Efficiency C-A-TD-I Yards Central Missouri 229-392-23-8 3060 Pittsburg State 151-288-15-16 1857 Kickoff Returns No/Yards Pittsburg State 44/990 Central Missouri 36/680 Third Down Conversions Tot Pittsburg State 57/161 Central Missouri 60/174 Time of Possession Avg Central Missouri 31:11 Pittsburg State 30:38 Penalties Tot/Yds Central Missouri 57/544 Pittsburg State 78/643
Avg. 470.1 400.5 Avg. 231.6 191.9 Avg. 278.2 168.8 Avg. 35.5 30.5 Rat. 139.3 112.7 Avg. 22.5 18.9 Pct. 35.4% 34.5%
Avg 49.5 58.5
C-A-TD-I 208-410-19-16 203-371-21-13 No/Yards 17/240 19/200
Yards 4024 4443 Yards 1448 1717 Yards 2576 2726 Points 227 314 Yards 2576 2726 Avg. 15.2 10.5 Mar +4 -9 Tot/Net 55/2146 62/2082
All-Time Winningest Programs
Pittsburg State is the all-time winningest NCAA Division II football program. The Gorillas, who are in their 108th season of intercollegiate competition, have compiled a 690-338-48 overall record, winning 66.4 percent of their 1,076 all-time games. Pittsburg State is one of just 20 NCAA Division II institutions to have recorded 500 all-time victories and the Gorillas are just one of five schools to have reached the 600-win plateau. Tuskegee is second on the all-time list with 668 victories, followed by Hillsdale (617), Carson-Newman (614) and Central Oklahoma (609). UCM has a 542-505-51 (.517) record in 121 seasons of intercollegiate play.
QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE
The Pitt State offense has exhibited a penchant for being a “quick strike” unit. During the last 11 seasons (2005-15), the Pitt State offense has generated 735 scoring drives (616 TDs, 119 FGs) and averaged just 2:52 of elapsed time per drive. [Overtime scoring drives not included in elapsed time figures.] 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
97 scoring drives (86 TDs, 11 FGs)...........2:40 elapsed time 79 scoring drives (72 TDs, 7 FGs)..............2:14 elapsed time 64 scoring drives (55 TDs, 9 FGs)..............3:02 elapsed time 69 scoring drives (61 TDs, 8 FGs)..............3:23 elapsed time 49 scoring drives (44 TDs, 5 FGs)..............3:21 elapsed time 41 scoring drives (34 TDs, 7 FGs)..............3:04 elapsed time
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
78 scoring drives (60 TDs, 18 FGs)...........2:54 elapsed time 51 scoring drives (40 TDs, 11 FGs)...........2:58 elapsed time 83 scoring drives (70 TDs, 13 FGs)...........2:29 elapsed time 74 scoring drives (53 TDs, 21 FGs)...........3:06 elapsed time 50 scoring drives (41 TDs, 9 FGs)..............2:53 elapsed time
The Gorillas have been highly successful when they are quick out of the gates. Pitt State has scored on its opening drive 64 times (54 TDs, 10 FGs) in the last 132 games, posting a 59-5 (.922) record in those games. By contrast, Pitt State is 37-31 (.544) in games it doesn’t score on its opening drive during the same span.
The Pitt State Offense
PSU-UCM DEFENSIVE COMPARISON (2015) Total Defense Central Missouri Pittsburg State Rushing Defense Central Missouri Pittsburg State Passing Defense Central Missouri Pittsburg State Scoring Defense Central Missouri Pittsburg State Passing Eff. Defense Central Missouri Pittsburg State Punt Returns Pittsburg State Central Missouri Turnover Margin Pittsburg State Central Missouri Net Punting Pittsburg State Central Missouri
Pitt State has been ranked in Division II’s top 10 116 times in the last 215 polls and the Gorillas have been ranked in the top 25 poll in 183 of 215 weeks overall (dating back to the 1999 season). The Gorillas were preseason ranked among “others receiving votes” in the NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 Poll. [for complete poll, see page 4] UCM comes into Thursday’s contest as the preseason No. 20 team in NCAA Division II. The Gorillas have compiled a 57-44 record (.564) against nationally-ranked teams since joining Division II in 1989. Pitt State is 36-15 (.706) in home games against ranked opponents and 33-27 (.550) vs. ranked MIAA foes.
Avg. 365.8 403.9 Avg. 131.6 156.1 Avg. 234.2 247.8 Avg. 20.6 28.5 Rat. 111.0 128.1
Avg +0.33 -1.33 Avg 36.5 30.5
The Gorillas will look to sophomore John Roderique to lead the Pitt State offense for a second season. Roderique, an honorable mention All-MIAA performer as a freshman transfer in 2015, passed for 1,264 yards and nine touchdowns (210.7 ypg) and rushed for 466 yards (77.7 ypg, 5.8 ypc) and nine scores before suffering a season-ending foot injury in week six. Up front, the Gorillas return three players who started seven or more games in 2015 in All-MIAA center Bo Farrow (6-2, 270), sophomore guards Ryan Cipriani (6-5, 282) and Tyler Stiff (6-4, 307). Additionally, week one starters Dexton Robertson (6-4, 303) and Kelly Wortham (6-3, 273) have returned from medical redshirt seasons. Robertson, a sophomore tackle, suffered a knee injury following week one, while Wortham, a junior guard, went down in week three last year. Additionally, the Gorillas added junior transfer Codey Funk (6-6, 302) to the offensive line group in January. Funk earned All-Conference honors as a tackle in each of the past two seasons at FCS member Abilene Christian University. Sophomore guard Alex Jones (6-4, 297) and redshirt freshman tackle Ryan Dodd (6-5, 300) also figure to see significant action.
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
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In the backfield, the Gorillas return a cast of explosive players led by junior Michael Rose. Rose rushed for 412 yards (51.5 ypg, 5.7 ypc) and five touchdowns in 2015 despite missing three games due to injury. He has 674 career rushing yards (5.5 ypc) with seven TDs. Senior Dre Holman (5-9, 215), junior Steven Sullivan (5-10, 184) and redshirt freshmen Kiah Kintchen (5-9, 185) and Keynan Scheurich (5-9, 212) also figure to battle for playing time. Senior Levi Copelin and junior Austin Panko lead the wide receivers. Copelin (6-2, 190) caught 31 passes for 503 yards (16.2 ypc) and four TDs as a junior in 2015 after transferring from the University of Missouri. Panko (6-0, 192) made 21 catches for 260 yards (12.4 ypc) and one score. Senior Andre Taylor (5-9, 162), junior Ramsey Hamilton (6-2, 204) and sophomore Slade Nordic (6-1, 179) all figure to see action for the Gorillas, along with redshirt freshmen Brenner Clemons (6-2, 214) and Lorenzo West (5-11, 174). At tight end, senior Kyle Swartz (6-2, 248) has 17 career starts to his credit over three playing seasons. He caught 13 passes for 138 yards and four TDs in 2015 after earning third-team All-MIAA honors in 2014. Junior Andy Otting (6-3, 216) figures to battle for playing time along with junior transfer Javon Wilson (6-4, 268) who joined the Gorillas in August from Scottsdale Community College.
The Pitt State Defense
The Gorillas return five starters on the defensive side of the ball, led by an All-MIAA defensive lineman in senior Heath Wilson, two all-conference linebackers in senior Spencer Brown and sophomore Demetrius Bernard and an All-MIAA safety in senior Deron Washington. Wilson (6-3, 256) earned All-MIAA honors for a second straight season in 2015, posting 49 tackles (21 solo) with a team-leading 11.0 tackles-forloss and 7.5 quarterback sacks. In three seasons, Wilson has 146 tackles (41 solo), 28.5 TFLs and 16.5 quarterback sacks. He will be joined at defensive end by juniors Dreu White (6-6, 251) and José Speer (6-2, 243) and redshirt freshman Ned Bingaman (6-4, 210). Sophomores Braxton Early and Drake Humphrey return for second seasons to the interior defensive line. Early (6-3, 262) made 10 tackles and 2.0 TFLs in his rookie campaign, while Humphrey (6-0, 232) made 10 tackles with 1.0 TFL and 0.5 quarterback sack as a true freshman in 2015. Junior transfer Willie Cooper (6-0, 280) and true freshman transfer Simanu’a Thomas (6-0, 293) also figure to see significant action. Cooper came to Pitt State from Holmes (Miss.) Community College, while Thomas, an Independence, Mo., native, signed with the Gorillas from Fort Osage High School. Brown (6-0, 214) garnered All-MIAA recognition at linebacker for a second straight season in 2015. The Lee’s Summit, Mo., native made a team-leading 94 tackles with 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 quarterback sacks and six pass break-ups. He has posted 213 career tackles with 19.0 career TFLs.
2016 NCA A Division II Top 25 Poll [Rel. AUG. 15, 2016] 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9t. 9t. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
School (1st votes) Northwest Missouri (29) West Georgia (1) Grand Valley State Shepherd Colorado State-Pueblo Ashland Minnesota State Indiana (Pa.) Henderson State Texas A&M-Commerce Slippery Rock Ferris State Humboldt State Midwestern State North Alabama Indianapolis Tuskegee Colorado Mines Minnesota-Duluth Central Missouri Assumption Catawba Sioux Falls (S.D.) Emporia State Augustana (S.D.)
W-L 15-0 12-2 12-3 13-1 12-2 10-1 10-2 9-3 11-2 8-4 12-2 11-1 10-2 10-2 9-3 10-2 10-3 8-3 9-3 8-3 11-2 9-3 9-3 11-3 9-3
Pts. 749 676 658 638 581 523 466 364 363 363 360 359 353 344 330 276 241 228 196 184 144 140 125 124 119
Prev. 1 3 4 2 5 10 13 19 12 23 7 6 16 9 15 18 11 NR NR NR 17 25 21t NR 24
Season Opener Sept. 1, at No. 24 Emporia Stsyr Sept. 3, vs. No. 22 Catawbs Sept. 1, vs. Tiffin (Ohio) Sept. 3, vs. West Virginia Wesleyan Sept. 1, at No. 18 Colorado Mines Sept. 1, vs. Mercyhurst Sept. 1, at Minot State Sept. 10, at East Stroudsburg Sept. 1, vs. Southeastern Oklahoma Sept. 1, vs. Faith (Fla.) Sept.3, vs. New Haven Sept. 1, vs. Ohio Dominican Sept. 1, at Carson-Newman Sept. 3, at Truman Sept. 1, at Jacksonville State (FCS) Sept. 3, at Hillsdale Sept. 3, at Clark Atlanta Sept. 1, vs. No. 5 Colorado State-Pueblo Sept. 1, at Southwest Minnesota State Sept. 1, at Pittsburg State Sept. 3, vs. Kutztown Sept. 3, at No. 2 West Georgia Sept. 1, at St. Cloud State Sept. 1, vs. No. 1 Northwest Missouri Sept. 3, vs. Northern State (S.D.)
Head Coach Adam Dorrel Will Hall Matt Mitchell Monte Carter John Wristen Lee Owens Todd Hoffner Curt Cignetti Scott Maxfield Colby Carthel Shawn Lutz Tony Annese Rob Smith Bill Maskill Bobby Wallace Bob Bartolomeo Willie Slater Gregg Brandon Curt Wiese Jim Svoboda Bob Chesney Curtis Walker Jed Stugart Garin Higgins Jerry Olszewski
Others Receiving Votes: Florida Tech, 107; Valdosta State, 99; Pittsburg State, 88; West Chester, 82; Winston-Salem State, 74; Charleston (W. Va.), 60; Carson-Newman, 53; Colorado Mesa, 50; Harding, 40; Albany State (Ga.), 34; Virginia Union, 29; California (Pa.), 25; Angelo State, 19; Azusa Pacific, 13; Miles, 11; Delta State, 9; Michigan Tech, 9; Western Oregon, 9; West Texas A&M, 8; Fort Hays State, 6; Bowie State, 4; Saginaw Valley State, 4; Central Oklahoma, 3; Ouachita Baptist, 3; Ohio Dominican, 2; Texas A&M-Kingsville, 2; Bemidji State, 1; McKendree (Ill.), 1; Newberry, 1.
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Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
Bernard (6-0, 225) made an immediate impact in his first playing season, after battling through a redshirt season and a medical redshirt in 2014. The O’Fallon, Mo., native made 46 tackles with 7.0 TFLs in his rookie campaign to earn honorable mention All-MIAA honors. Junior Ethan Fugitt (6-1, 242) also is expected to be a major contributor in the linebacking corps, while sophomore Carter Anchors (6-1, 190) and redshirt freshman Brett McDonald (6-3, 213) also are expected to challenge for playing time. Senior Tyree Jefferson and sophomore Matt Magee bring veteran experience to Pitt State’s cornerback spots. Jefferson (6-0, 185) made 23 tackles with one interception and six pass breakups in his initial season in the Pitt State program in 2015. Magee (6-0, 180) had 19 tackles with one interception and four PBUs in his debut season. Senior transfer Darrius White (5-11, 182) joined the cornerback corps in August from Georgia Southern University, while redshirt freshmen William Bazzle IV (6-2, 188) and Keeyon Incle (6-0, 181) also are coming off solid spring camps. Washington (6-1, 211) has started all 24 games at safety the past two seasons. The Raymore, Mo., native made 81 tackles with 4.0 TFLs and 10 pass break-ups during his junior campaign, earning second-team All-MIAA recognition. A two-time All-MIAA performer, Washington has compiled 207 career tackles, three interceptions and 18 PBUs. Senior Quad Ware and sophomore Darian Taylor also bring veteran experience to the safety positions. Ware (6-0, 192) made 51 tackles with one interception and two pass break-ups, while Taylor (6-3, 205) had 23 tackles with 2.0 quarterback sacks, two pass break-ups and two forced fumbles. Junior Brady Bradbury (5-10, 190) also returns for a fourth season in the Pitt State program, while junior transfer DeShaughn Terry (6-0, 185) joined the Gorillas from the University of Memphis in January.
Pitt State Special Teams
Senior Chad Levin returns for a second season to handle Pitt State’s place-kicking duties. Levin (5-9, 171) earned honorable mention All-MIAA honors in 2015, converting nine of 12 field goals and 40 of 41 PATs last year. Sophomore Carter Anchors punted 46 times for a 39.5-yard average with nine kicks inside the opponent 20 yard line a year ago. Sophomore Slade Nordic returned 14 kickoffs for a 27.9 yard average, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown, last year, while senior Andre Taylor and junior DeShaughn Terry also could see action on kickoff returns. Junior Austin Panko and senior Darrius White figure to see action as punt returners.
THE LAST TIME…
PSU shut out an opponent: 9/20/14, at Washburn (42-0) PSU was shut out: 11/24/01, at North Dakota (38-0) PSU rallied from a 4th quarter deficit: 10/3/15, vs. Missouri Western (trailed 27-21; won 31-27) PSU lost 4th quarter lead, game: 10/10/15, vs. Emporia State (led 35-32 & 42-39; lost 46-42) PSU committed 2 or fewer penalties: 12/4/10, vs. Concordia-St. Paul (2 penalties - 17 yards) PSU eclipsed 400 yards rushing: 10/24/09, vs. Fort Hays State (406 yards) PSU eclipsed 500 yards rushing: 10/2/04, at Washburn (538 yards) A Gorilla eclipsed 100 yards rushing: 9/26/15, John Roderique, Jr. (117) vs. Fort Hays State A Gorilla eclipsed 200 yards rushing: 11/15/08, Mark Smith vs. Nebraska-Omaha (212) A Gorilla eclipsed 300 yards rushing: 11/11/05, Germaine Race vs. Central Missouri (309) A Gorilla rushed for 4 TDs: 11/22/08, Brandon Clark vs. Northwest Missouri (4 TDs) PSU eclipsed 300 yards passing: 11/8/14, vs. Central Missouri (428 yards) PSU eclipsed 400 yards passing: 11/8/14, vs. Central Missouri (428 yards) A Gorilla eclipsed 300 yards passing: 11/8/14, Anthony Abenoja, vs. Central Missouri (428 yards) A Gorilla eclipsed 350 yards passing: 11/8/14, Anthony Abenoja, vs. Central Missouri (428 yards) A Gorilla passed for 4 TDs: 10/11/14, Anthony Abenoja, vs. Harding (4 TDs) PSU eclipsed 600 yards of total offense: 11/8/14, vs Central Missouri (605 yards) PSU eclipsed 700 yards of total offense: 9/28/13, at Lincoln (787 yards) A Gorilla eclipsed 350 yards of total offense: 10/10/15, John Roderique, Jr., vs. Emporia State (372 yards) A Gorilla eclipsed 400 yards of total offense: 11/8/14, Anthony Abenoja, vs. Cent. Missouri (446 yards) A Gorilla eclipsed 100 yards receiving: 10/3/15, Marquise Cushon (104 yards) vs. Missouri Western A Gorilla eclipsed 200 yards receiving: 11/8/14, Marquise Cushon (221 yards) vs. Central Missouri A Gorilla caught 2 TDs: 11/29/14, Gavin Lutman, vs. Minnesota State (2 TDs) A Gorilla caught 3 TDs: 11/22/14, Austin Panko vs. Harding (3 TDs) PSU returned a punt for a TD: 9/22/12, John Brown, 68 yards vs. Lincoln * PSU returned a kickoff for a TD: 10/31/15, Slade Nordic, 100 yards vs. Missouri Southern PSU returned an interception for a TD: 10/31/15, Dino Teague, 51 yards vs. Missouri Southern PSU returned a fumble for a TD: 11/22/14, Heath Wilson, 28 yards vs. Harding PSU had a punt returned for a TD: none since 1982, individual game stats n/a prior to 1982 * PSU had a kickoff returned for a TD: 10/30/10, Camren Torneden, Nebraska-Omaha (94 yards) PSU had an interception returned for a TD: 10/24/15, Shai Harris, Nebraska-Kearney (35 yards) PSU had a fumble returned for a TD: 11/7/15, Josh Powell, Central Missouri (33 yards) * excluding blocks
Scouting the Mules
Senior quarterback Garrett Fugate returns to lead the UCM offense. Fugate (6-3, 210) completed 187 of 321 passes for 2,613 yards and 18 touchdowns with just six interceptions in 2015. He also rushed 147 times for 519 yards and eight scores. Junior wide receiver Jaylen Zachery (6-0, 185) caught 51 passes for 933 yards (18.3 ypc) and five scores, while junior wide receiver Kyle Echols (6-2, 185) caught 24 passes for 346 yards (14.4 ypc) and three TDs. The Mules averaged 35.5 points and 470.1 total yards per game in 2015. Junior linebacker Austin Miller made a team-leading 86 tackles (44 solo) with 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 quarterback sacks, three interceptions and 10 PBUs in 2015, while senior defensive end Josh Powell posted 30 tackles (15 solo) with 6.5 TFLs, 4.5 QB sacks and two fumble recoveries. UCM limited its opposition to 20.6 points and 365.8 total yards per game in 2015. Sophomore placekicker Billy Greco converted 17 of 22 field goals a year ago.
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
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PITT STATE “Gorillas” 2-Deep PITTSBURG STATE OFFENSE
PITTSBURG STATE DEFENSE
WR TE LT LG C RG RT WR WR QB RB
8 7 88 89 79 74 72 70 66 68 71 76 73 62 17 2 18 84 19 10 30 33
Levi Copelin (6-2, 190, Sr.) Ramsey Hamilton (6-2, 204, Jr.-RS) Kyle Swartz (6-2, 248, Sr.) Andy Otting (6-3, 240, Jr.) Codey Funk (6-6, 305, Jr.) Jacob Ralph (6-6, 302, Jr.) Ryan Cipriani (6-5, 282, Jr.) Tyler Stiff (6-4, 307, So.) Bo Farrow (6-2, 270, Jr.) Benton Sinclair (6-0, 272, Fr.-RS) Alex Jones (6-4, 297, So.) Chase Carney (6-5, 260, Jr.) Ryan Dodd (6-5, 300, Fr.-RS) Dexton Robertson (6-4, 303, So.-RS) Austin Panko (6-0, 192, Jr.) Andre Taylor (5-9, 162, Sr.) Brenner Clemons (6-2, 214, Fr.-RS) Lorenzo West (5-11, 174, Fr.-RS) John Roderique (6-4, 220, So.) Thomas LePage (6-3, 198, Jr.) Michael Rose (5-10, 177, Jr.) Dre Holman (5-9, 215, Sr.)
DE DT DT DE LB LB CB SS FS WS CB
85 90 98 99 95 92 55 91 47 15 36 52 13 35 11 16 9 32 22 38 34 4
Dreu White (6-6, 251, Jr.) José Speer (6-2, 243, Jr.) Braxton Early (6-3, 262, So.) Willie Cooper (6-0, 280, Jr.) Drake Humphrey (6-0, 240, So.) Simanu’a Thomas (6-0, 292, Fr.) Heath Wilson (6-3, 256, Sr.) Ned Bingaman (6-4, 210, Fr.-RS) Demetrius Bernard (6-0, 225, So.) Ethan Fugitt (6-1, 242, Jr.) Spencer Brown (6-0, 214, Sr.) Brett McDonald (6-3, 213, Fr.-RS) Darrius White (5-11, 182, Sr.) Matt Magee (6-0, 180, So.) Darian Taylor (6-3, 205, So.) Brady Bradbury (5-10, 190, Jr.) DeShaughn Terry (6-0, 185, Jr.) Quad Ware (6-0, 192, Sr.) Deron Washington (6-1, 211, Sr.) Josh Hornback (6-2, 174, Fr.-RS) Will Bazzle IV (6-2, 188, Fr.-RS) Tyree Jefferson (6-0, 185, Sr.)
PK LS H
46 63 17
Chad Levin (5-9, 171, Sr.) Nick Weisenborn (6-4, 282, Sr.) Austin Panko (6-0, 192, Jr.)
P PR KR
43 17 2 9
Carter Anchors (6-1, 190, So.) Austin Panko (6-0, 192, Jr.) Andre Taylor (5-9, 162, Sr.) DeShaughn Terry (6-0, 185, Jr.)
CENTRAL MISSOURI OFFENSE
CENTRAL MISSOURI DEFENSE
WR TE LT LG C RG RT WR WR QB RB
1 80 85 87 55 77 54 68 60 59 72 61 78 71 19 16 5 4 10 11 21 24
Jaylen Zachery (6-0, 185, Jr.) Tyus Franks (6-4, 195, Fr.-RS) Seth Hebert (6-4, 245, So.) Tyler Nugent (6-6, 235, Jr.) Derrick Puni (6-6, 300, Jr.) Drew Oberle (6-5, 270, Fr.-RS) Chris Gomez (6-3, 310, Jr.) Connor Hill (6-4, 275, Fr.-RS) Jake Heckler (6-4, 270, Fr.-RS) Nate Farnsworth (6-3, 260, Fr.) Layne Fischer (6-4, 310, Jr.) Terrance Pryor, Jr. (6-3, 290, Fr.-RS) Nick Warren (6-4, 275, So.) Kane Barker (6-3, 280, Jr.) Kyle Echols (6-2, 185, Jr.) Tyler Jones (6-2, 200, Sr.) Andrew Bakker (6-3, 205, Sr.) Alex Strong (6-4, 195, Sr.) Garrett Fugate (6-3, 210, Sr.) Eric Siebenshuh (6-4, 220, Jr.) Gabe Vandiver (5-10, 190, Sr.) Xavier Washpun (5-10, 205, Jr.)
DE NG DE LB LB LB LB CB FS SS CB
97 98 64 90 44 92 41 9 39 51 22 56 49 17 8 3 42 31 6 35 26 13
Josh Powell (6-3, 265, Sr.) Wyatt Hendrix (6-5, 230, Fr.-RS) Delainey Taala (6-1, 300, So.) Triphinue Taylor (6-3, 300, Jr.) Connor Flagel (6-5, 280, Jr.) Tony Leachman (6-3, 295, Jr.) Jack Cronin (6-3, 250, Sr.) J.R. Alexander (6-0, 220, Sr.) Alex Lackey (6-1, 235, Jr.) Rick Pesek (6-3, 230, So.) Mark Cushing (6-0, 230, Jr.) Michael Tannehill (6-2, 225, So.) Austin Miller (6-0, 235, Jr.) Jordan Conaty (6-4, 220, Jr.) Diaron Rhodes (5-9, 180, Jr.) Travion Vaughn (6-1, 190, Jr.) Jackson Newman (6-1, 195, So.) Tanner Kanak (6-3, 210, So.) Tevin Teamer (6-4, 220, Jr.) Dylan Albertson (6-2, 205, So.) Monteze Latimore (6-0, 195, Jr.) Blake Cooper (6-1, 180, Fr.-RS)
PK LS H
47 46 2
Billy Greco (5-10, 180, So.) Garrett Cline (6-4, 220, Jr.) Brook Bolles (6-3, 205, So.)
P PR KR
34 1 1 42
Logan Offner (6-0, 185, Fr.-RS) Jaylen Zachery (6-0, 185, Jr.) Jaylen Zachery (6-0, 185, Jr.) Jackson Newman (6-1, 195, So.)
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Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
Pitt State Numerical Roster NO NAME POS 1 Slade Nordic WR 2 Andre Taylor WR 3 Kiah Kintchen RB 4 Tyree Jefferson CB 6 Javon Wilson TE 7 Ramsey Hamilton WR 8 Levi Copelin WR 9 DeShaughn Terry S 10 Thomas LePage QB 11 Darian Taylor S 12 Tanner Eikenbary S 13 Darrius White CB 14 Luke Walstad QB 15 Ethan Fugitt LB 16 Brady Bradbury S 17 Austin Panko WR 18 Brenner Clemons WR 19 John Roderique QB
HT WT 6-1 179 5-9 162 5-9 185 6-0 185 6-4 268 6-2 204 6-2 190 6-0 185
CL SO SR FR SR JR JR SR JR
EXP 1L 1L RS 1L TR 2L 1L TR
HOMETOWN Bartlesville, Okla. St. Petersburg, Fla. Kansas City, Mo. Philadelphia, Pa. Detroit, Mich. Beggs, Okla. Broken Arrow, Okla. Blue Springs, Mo.
6-3 198 6-3 205 6-1 202 5-11 182 6-2 202 6-1 242 5-10 190 6-0 192 6-2 214 6-4 220
JR SO SO SR FR JR JR JR FR SO
2L 1L 1L TR TR 2L 2L 2L RS 1L
Jefferson City, Mo. Manhattan, Kan. Kansas City, Kan. Belton, Texas Andale, Kan. Oak Grove, Mo. Adair, Okla. Lee’s Summit, Mo. Lee’s Summit, Mo. Webb City, Mo.
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Keeyon Incle Deron Washington DeMarcus Edwards Keynan Scheurich Ciyre Simmons Aren Martin Jonathon Gilkey Ryan McNerlin Steven Sullivan
CB S RB RB CB S CB S RB
6-0 181 6-1 211 5-11 197 5-9 212 6-0 190 6-1 190 5-9 165 5-9 190 5-10 184
FR SR SO FR JR JR SO JR JR
RS 3L SQ RS TR SQ SQ SQ 2L
Blue Springs, Mo. Raymore, Mo. Lee Summit, Mo. Carl Junction, Mo. Phoenix, Ariz. Lebanon, Mo. Lee Summit, Mo. Stilwell, Kan. Blue Springs, Mo.
30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39
Michael Rose RB Jaxon Wright S Quad Ware S Dre Holman RB William Bazzle IV CB Matt McGee CB Spencer Brown LB Derrick Banks S Josh Hornback S Cassius Hill S
5-10 177 6-0 174 6-0 192 5-9 215 6-2 188 6-0 180 6-0 214 6-0 179 6-2 174 5-10 170
JR JR SR SR FR SO SR SO FR FR
2L SQ 3L 2L RS 1L 3L SQ RS RS
Albuquerque, N.M. Holton, Kan. Broken Arrow, Okla. Oklahoma City, Okla. Kansas City, Mo. Carl Junction, Mo. Lee’s Summit, Mo. Arkansas City, Kan. Wichita, Kan. Oklahoma City, Okla.
40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48
Nick Wuthnow S Cale McMakin LB Kohl Slaughter TE Carter Anchors LB/P Drew Dawson S Zane Roark RB Chad Levin PK Demetrius Bernard LB Levi Wyrick DE
5-11 197 6-1 213 6-2 220 6-1 190 6-2 193 5-8 217 5-9 171 6-0 225 6-4 225
SO FR SO SO SO FR SR SO FR
SQ TR SQ 1L SQ TR 1L 1L RS
New Cambria, Kan. Overland Park, Kan. Webb City, Mo. Kansas City. Mo. Pittsburg, Kan. Columbus, Kan. Bentonville, Ark. O’Fallon, Mo. Elk City, Kan.
DL LB LB LB LB DE LB LB LB LB
5-11 240 6-4 220 6-3 213 6-0 204 6-0 232 6-3 256 6-0 225 6-2 225 6-0 231 6-2 217
JR JR FR SR FR SR SR FR FR FR
1L TR RS SQ RS 3L TR RS RS RS
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Blue Springs, Mo. Lamar, Mo. Pittsburg, Kan. Valley Center, Kan. Wagoner, Okla. Kansas City, Kan. Savonburg, Kan. Stilwell, Kan. Carl Junction, Mo.
OL OL OL OL DL OL OL DL
6-4 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-5
FR SO SR FR JR JR FR FR
RS RS SQ RS SQ 2L RS TR
Lawton, Okla. Cashion, Okla. St. Peters, Mo. Anthony, Kan. O’Fallon, Mo. Broken Arrow, Okla. Lee’s Summit, Mo. Lamar, Mo.
50 DeShane Lewis 51 Kyle Brown 52 Brett McDonald 53 Drew Gill 54 Dylan Scheer 55 Heath Wilson 56 LaRon Mitchell, Jr. 57 Jacob Carpenter 58 Dylan Smith 59 Kaden Brannin 61 Connor Cherry 62 Dexton Robertson 63 Nick Weisenborn 64 Jaden Helms 65 Ben Saint 66 Bo Farrow 68 Benton Sinclair 69 Trenton Mooney
233 303 282 300 298 270 272 275
NO NAME 70 Tyler Stiff 71 Alex Jones 72 Ryan Cipriani 73 Ryan Dodd 74 Jacob Ralph 75 Tyler Brave 76 Chase Carney 77 Kelley Wortham 79 Codey Funk
POS OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL
HT WT 6-4 307 6-4 297 6-5 282 6-5 300 6-6 302 6-4 301 6-5 255 6-3 273 6-6 305
CL SO SO JR FR JR FR JR JR JR
EXP 1L 1L 1L RS 1L RS 1L 1L TR
HOMETOWN Liberty, Mo. Lawrence, Kan. Overland Park, Kan. Lee’s Summit, Mo. Bentonville, Ark. Lake St. Louis, Mo. Fayetteville, Ark. Yukon, Okla. Gridley, Ill.
80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89
Bryce Barto Jackson Krull Dash Cameron Sam Randall Lorenzo West Dreu White Grayson Handel Trey Myers Kyle Swartz Andy Otting
TE TE WR WR WR DE WR DE TE TE
6-3 210 6-6 247 5-10 178 6-0 193 5-11 174 6-6 251 6-1 175 6-4 245 6-2 248 6-3 216
FR FR FR FR FR SR SO SR SR JR
TR RS RS RS RS 1L SQ SQ 3L 1L
Frontenac, Kan. Smithville, Mo. Herman, Neb. Stilwell, Kan. Lawton, Okla. Kansas City, Kan. Lee Summit, Mo. Kansas City, Mo. Olathe, Kan. Topeka, Kan.
90 91 92 93 95 97 98 99
José Speer Ned Bingaman Simanu’a Thomas Brock Byford Drake Humphrey Danny Williams Braxton Early Willie Cooper
DE DE DL DE DL DL DL DL
6-2 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-3 6-3 6-0
243 210 293 250 240 304 248 280
JR FR FR JR SO FR SO JR
1L RS HS TR 1L RS 1L TR
Webb City, Mo. Overland Park, Kan. Independence, Mo. Edmond, Okla. Web City, Mo. Wentzville, Mo. Grove Hill, Ala. Savannah, Ga.
5-10 197 6-3 211 6-3 315 5-11 245 6-0 168 6-0 216 6-1 334 6-2 186 6-5 230 6-3 326 5-7 145 6-3 270 6-4 290 5-9 175 5-11 175 6-3 252 6-5 336 6-1 173 6-3 306 6-1 205 6-2 187 5-11 206 6-5 270 6-5 243 5-10 200 6-1 214 6-1 193 6-0 175 6-0 215 6-0 192 6-0 166 6-2 262 6-3 292 6-5 250 6-1 200 6-1 285 5-10 180 6-2 185
FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR JR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR
HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS HS RS HS HS HS TR HS HS HS HS HS HS RS HS HS HS HS HS HS RS HS
Broken Arrow, Okla. Paris, Texas Skiatook, Okla. Independence, Mo. Carthage, Mo. Lamar, Mo. Forney, Texas Broken Arrow, Okla. Marian, Ill. Overland Park, Kan. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Harrisonville, Mo. Carbondale, Kan. Rossville, Kan. Wichita, Kan. Broken Arrow, Okla. Chesterfield, Mo. Denison, Texas Pittsburg, Kan. Adair, Okla. Blue Springs, Mo. Wichita, Kan. Louisburg, Kan. Overland Park, Kan. Lamar, Mo. Pittsburg, Kan. Pittsburg, Kan. Wichita, Kan. Tampa, Fla. Frontenac, Kan. Liberty, Mo. Topeka, Kan. McKinney, Texas Salina, Kan. Pittsburg, Kan. Louisburg, Kan. Claremore, Okla. Augusta, Kan.
ADDITIONAL SQUAD MEMBERS Tyler Adkins RB Quez Allen QB Grant Appelberg OL D’Vontae Brown RB Alex Derryberry WR Keegan Duncan LS Norris Floyd, Jr. DL Brendon Franklin WR Sam Gibson TE Jared Green OL Kedrick Greene WR Tanner Gulick OL Cody Hastings OL Tucker Horak RB Colter Hullings WR Gage Kaiser DE Minsok Lee OL Brendon Luper S Sage Mahnken OL Brock Martin WR Micah Mayberry CB Isaac McClure LB Kyle McLellan TE Jon Meyer DE Todd Morrow PK/P Garrett Normand TE Zack Roark S Creighton Sanders S Cole Schaller QB Austin Seward P Sidney Shumate S Will Stringer OL Zach Thomas OL Jerod Toogood DL Spencer Turnbull QB Anders Vance OL Jared Vincent PK/P Logan Weakley S
COACHING STAFF: Tim Beck, Head Coach; Dave Wiemers, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator; Steve Rampy, Offensive Coordinator; Lance Cullen, Safeties; Ryan Hellwig, Defensive Line; Matt Karleskint, Wide Receivers; John Pierce, Running Backs; Carl Roth, Linebackers; Steve Wells, Offensive Line; Larry Garman, In-Season Recruiting; Luke Miller, Tight Ends; Matt Nelson, Strength Training/Nutrition; Trey Derryberry, Graduate Assistant; Chance Riley, Graduate Assistant; Travis Young, Student Assistant.
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
7
2015 FINAL SEASON STATISTICS
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Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
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Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
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Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
2015 Starting Lineups OFFENSE Northeastern State Lindenwood Washburn Fort Hays State Missouri Western Emporia State Northwest Missouri Nebraska-Kearney Missouri Southern Central Missouri Central Oklahoma DEFENSE Northeastern State Lindenwood Washburn Fort Hays State Missouri Western Emporia State Northwest Missouri Nebraska-Kearney Missouri Southern Central Missouri Central Oklahoma
WR Copelin Copelin Copelin Copelin Copelin Copelin Copelin Copelin Shaw Copelin Copelin DE Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson
WR/TE Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon Cushon NG Irvin Irvin Irvin Humphrey Irvin Irvin Irvin Irvin Irvin Irvin Irvin
LT Carney Carney Carney Carney Carney Carney Carney Carney Carney Carney Ralph DT/LB Bessette Bessette Hefley Hefley Bessette Bernard Bessette Bernard Bernard Bernard Bessette
LG Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater Rainwater DE Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland Strickland
C Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow Farrow LB Hall Hall Hall Hall Hall Hall Hall Keeley Hall Hall Hall
RG Wortham Wortham Wortham Stiff Stiff Stiff Stiff Stiff Stiff Stiff Wall LB S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown S. Brown
Game #1 • Gorillas VS. muleS • Sept. 1, 2016 • pittsburg
RT Robertson Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani Cipriani CB Teague Teague Teague Teague Teague Teague Teague Teague Teague Jefferson Jefferson
WR/TE Swartz Daniel Daniel Swartz Swartz Swartz Daniel Swartz Daniel Swartz Panko SS (Gorilla) Gatson Gatson Gatson Gatson Gatson Bradbury Bradbury D. Taylor D. Taylor D. Taylor D. Taylor
WR/FB/TE Daniel Cardinal Panko Otting Daniel Daniel Panko Rose Panko Panko Rose FS Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington
QB Roderique Roderique Roderique Roderique Roderique Roderique LePage LePage LePage LePage LePage S (Bandit) Moore Moore Moore Moore Moore Moore Ware Ware Ware Ware Ware
TB/WR Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold Seybold CB Walker Walker Walker Walker Walker Walker Walker Walker Magee Magee Magee
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