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Game Day Central
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Game Preview
PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University football team will travel to Joplin, Mo., Saturday (Nov. 10) to face Missouri Southern State University in the Sonic Miner’s Bowl. The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association foes will face one another in the regular season finale for both squads.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (CST) at Missouri Southern’s Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
The Records
Pittsburg State, the winningest all-time NCAA Division II program, slipped to 6-3 overall and 6-3 in the MIAA after dropping a 44-33 decision to MIAA newcomer Lindenwood last Saturday (Nov. 3). The Gorillas, the defending NCAA Division II National Champions, have lost three of their last four games after a 5-0 start to the season to fade out of conference championship and post-season contention. Pitt State toppled from the AFCA/Division II Top 25 poll with the loss to the Lions last week.
Missouri Southern improved to 6-4 overall and 5-4 in MIAA play with a 34-10 home win over Truman last Saturday (Nov. 3). The Lions clinched their second winning season in the last 17 years with the victory over the Bulldogs.
The Coaches
Tim Beck is in his third season as head coach at Pitt State. Beck, who has compiled a 25-10 (.714) career record, led his alma mater (PSU, ’88) to the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship, 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. Last year, 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.
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.
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 third meeting vs. Missouri Southern. He is 2-0 vs. the Lions.
Daryl Daye is in his first season as head coach at Missouri Southern. Daye (Louisiana State, ‘86) previously served as defensive coordinator for MSSU from 2006-09 before spending two seasons as an assistant coach with the Buffalo Bills in the NFL. He previously served as head coach at Nicholls State from 1999-2003. He has compiled a 23-42 (.354) record as a head coach.
The Pitt State-Missouri Southern Series
This will be the 45th all-time meeting between the Gorillas and the Lions in a series that dates back to the 1968 season – Southern’s first year as a four-year school. Pitt State holds a commanding 35-8-1 advantage in the series, including 18 straight wins.
The Gorillas are 19-2-1 vs. the Lions in Pittsburg and 16-6-0 vs. the Lions at Joplin.
The Miner’s Bowl Match-Up
While Pitt State and Southern have played every year since 1968, the two teams began competing for the Miner’s Bowl Trophy in 1986.
While the series has produced its share of close contests and memorable moments – the last five games have been decided by 44 combined points – the Gorillas have dominated the series, winning 25 of the 26 meetings (including the last 18).
All told, Pitt State has averaged a 36-13 victory in the 26 meetings, winning by an average score of 35-14 in Joplin.
The clash always brings out the area fans. The Miner’s Bowl game has averaged 8,349 fans in the last 17 meetings.
The Sonic Trophy Series
This is the fourth year of the Sonic Trophy Series – a cooperative effort between MSSU, PSU and Sonic to reward and honor the athletics department that performs the best in head-to-head competition throughout the course of the year.
One point is awarded in each of the 13 sports in which both departments compete. The school with the most points at the end of the year is presented the Sonic Trophy Series trophy.
Southern leads the 2012-13 Sonic Trophy Series, 2-0, heading into Saturday’s football and volleyball action between the schools. The Lions won points in men’s & women’s cross country in October.
PSU’s Regular Season Success
Pitt State has won 255 of its last 301 regular season games, posting a phenomenal 255-44-2 (.850) mark during the past 28 seasons (1985-2012).
PSU is 142-14-1 at home, 109-22-1 on the road and 4-8-0 at neutral sites in the regular season during that span.
Ground Game PSU’s Bread and Butter…
Pitt State’s success can be directly linked to its ability to rush the football.
Since the 1986 season, PSU has rushed for 200-plus yards in 276 of 329 overall games. The Gorillas have posted a 245-31-1 (.886) record when they eclipse 200 yards rushing. Pitt State is an even more impressive 135-6-0 (.957) when it eclipses 300 yards rushing.
By contrast, PSU is just 23-30-1 (.435) in the handful of games when it has been held below 200 yards rushing.
Since 1986, PSU has rushed the ball for the highest yardage total among all NCAA Division II programs, with 94,983 yards (including postseason competition) for an average of 288.7 yards per game.
… But Don’t Overlook Passing Attack
While it’s no secret Pitt State’s offensive success has been predicated on running the football, the Gorillas have unleashed a potent passing attack to compliment their stalwart running game.
Since the start of the 2004 season, the Gorillas have passed for 22,912 yards and 169 TDs, averaging 226.9 passing yards and 1.7 touchdown passes per game in the last 101 outings.
Pitt State opened the 2012 campaign by passing for 378 yards, the eighth-best team total in school history and the Gorillas currently rank 15th nationally averaging 302.5 passing yards per game to date.
Quick Strike Offense
The Pitt State offense has exhibited a penchant for being a “quick strike” unit.
During the last eight seasons (2005-12), the Pitt State offense has generated 523 scoring drives (449 TDs, 74 FGs) and averaged just 2:54 of elapsed time per drive. [Overtime scoring drives not included in elapsed time figures.]
2005 97 scoring drives (86 TDs, 11 FGs) 2:40 elapsed time 2009 49 scoring drives (44 TDs, 5 FGs) 3:21 elapsed time
2006 79 scoring drives (72 TDs, 7 FGs) 2:14 elapsed time 2010 41 scoring drives (34 TDs, 7 FGs) 3:04 elapsed time
2007 64 scoring drives (55 TDs, 9 FGs) 3:02 elapsed time 2011 78 scoring drives (60 TDs, 18 FGs) 2:54 elapsed time
2008 69 scoring drives (61 TDs, 8 FGs) 3:23 elapsed time 2012 46 scoring drives (37 TDs, 9 FGs) 2:55 elapsed time
The Gorillas have been highly successful when they are quick out of the gates. Pitt State has scored on its opening drive 46 times (38 TDs, 8 FGs) in the last 95 games, posting a 43-3 (.935) record in those games. By contrast, Pitt State is 25-24 (.510) in games it doesn’t score on its opening drive during the same span.
Pitt State Displays Proliic Offense
The Pitt State offense has asserted itself as one of the top units in NCAA Division II the past nine seasons (2004-12).
Pitt State’s high octane “multiple choice” offense ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 nationally in both scoring and total offense in three of the last seven seasons.
In 2004, PSU staked its claim as the most prolific offense in the history of NCAA football, leading Division II in scoring (55.8 ppg), rushing (354.7 ypg) and total offense (598.4 ypg).
Pitt State broke the NCAA’s 118-year-old all-time all division scoring record with 837 points, besting the old mark of 765 points set by Harvard in 1886. The Gorillas also broke the all-time NCAA all division records for rushing (5,320 yards) and total offense (8,976 yards) in 2004.
Oklahoma set the previous rushing record (5,196 yards) in 1971, and Texas Tech held the previous total offense mark (7,576 yards) in 2003.
In 2005, Pitt State ranked second nationally in scoring and total offense, averaging 46.8 points and 536.0 total yards per game. The Gorillas also ranked seventh nationally in rushing, averaging 295.2 yards a game.
In 2006, Pitt State led NCAA Division II in scoring and ranked No. 2 nationally in total offense, averaging 44.8 points and 454.8 total yards per game in 2006.
In 2007, the Gorillas ranked 21st nationally in scoring and 19th nationally in total offense, averaging 37.4 points and 454.2 total yards per game. In 2008, Pitt State ranked 18th nationally in scoring (35.5 ppg) and 21st in the nation in total offense (432.6 ypg).
In 2009, the Pitt State offense averaged 29.4 points and 434.4 total yards per game, while the Gorillas averaged 22.8 points and 357.7 total yards per game in 2010.
In 2011, the Gorillas ranked sixth nationally in scoring (40.2 ppg) and 19th in the country in total offense (448.5 ypg).
The Gorillas currently average 33.8 points and 463.7 total yards per game in 2012.
Pitt State All-Time Winningest Division II Program
Pittsburg State is the all-time winningest NCAA Division II football program. The Gorillas, who are in their 105th season of intercollegiate competition, have compiled a 662-328-48 overall record, winning 66.1 percent of their 1,038 all-time games.
Pittsburg State is one of just 17 NCAA Division II institutions to have recorded 500 all-time victories and the Gorillas are just one of three schools to have reached the 600-win plateau. Tuskegee is second on the all-time list with 638 victories, followed by Hillsdale (602), Central Oklahoma (592) and Texas A&M-Kingsville (586).
Team Wins
1. Pittsburg State 662
2. Tuskegee 638
3. Hillsdale 602
4. Central Oklahoma 592
5. Texas A&M-Kingsville 586
(Includes games as NAIA members)
Dreiling Continues to Climb PSU Tackles Chart
Junior linebacker Nate Dreiling continues to climb Pitt State’s career tackles chart. Dreiling (6-4, 229) has posted double-digit tackles in 23 of 35 career games for the Gorillas.
The Hutchinson/Victoria, Kan., native now has 373 (10.7 pg) career tackles. He needs 21 stops to climb into second place on PSU’s all-time tackles chart. Dreiling trails only former All-Americans Josh Lattimer (394) and Chris Brown (470) on the career list.
PSU Career Tackles Total
1. Chris Brown, 1992-95 470
2. Josh Lattimer, 2002-05 394
3. Nate Dreiling, 2011-pr. 373
Abenoja, Brown Among National Leaders
Sophomore quarterback Anthony Abenoja and junior wide receiver/return specialist John Brown each rank among the NCAA Division II national leaders in several statistical categories.
Abenoja (6-3, 218) enters Saturday’s action against Missouri Southern ranked 35th nationally in total offense (273.1 ypg) and 31st in the country in passing efficiency (144.7 rating).
The Overland Park, Kan., native has completed 166 of 269 passes (.617) for 2,258 yards and 15 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He’s also carried the ball 77 times for 200 net yards (2.6 ypc) and three scores.
Abenoja already has broken into the top five on Pitt State’s single-season passing charts. He needs 32 passing yards to climb to third on the top 10 list and 90 to jump to second. His 166 completions and 269 attemps rank second on the top 10 chart as well.
Abenoja earned MIAA Offensive Player of the Week honors in his first career start vs. Northeastern State on Aug. 30 when he completed 26 of 36 passes for a school record 378 yards and two TDs.
Brown (5-11, 171) enters Saturday’s contest leading Division II in all-purpose yards (203.8 ypg). He also 16th in the country in receiving yards (100.1 ypg). In special teams play, the Homestead, Fla., native ranks 11th nationally in punt returns (15.4 ypr) and 40th nationally in kickoff returns (25.4 ypr).
Brown earned MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week honors against NSU when he totaled 270 all-purpose yards against the River Hawks.
He followed that up with a 312-yard performance against UCO, just missing the top five all-time all-purpose yard games in school history.
Brown continues his chase of Ronnie West’s career yards record (2,521 yards) with 121 career receptions for 2,117 yards. He also eclipsed 4,000 all-purpose yards and needs just 207 yards to break into the top five all-time in that category.
PSU Single Game Passing C-A TDs Yards Opponent, Date
1. Anthony Abenoja 26-36 2 378 @ Northeastern State, Aug. 30, 2012
2. Andy Majors 20-28 2 358 @ Southwest Baptist, Oct. 15, 2005
3. Andy Majors 23-49 2 334 vs. Delta State, Aug. 27, 2005
PSU Career Receiving Rec Yards
1. Ronnie West, 1990-91 123 2521
2. John Brown, 2011-pr. 121 2117
PSU Career All-Purpose Rush Rec PR KR Yards
1. Ronald Moore, 1989-92 5776 318 0 1084 7178
5. Anthony Chatmon, 1998-2001 3149 719 0 566 4434
John Brown, 2011-pr. 228 2117 785 1097 4227
Odds & Ends
• The Pitt State defense has registered two or more interceptions in nine of its last 12
games and the Gorillas have registered 2+ INTs in 13 of the last 23 contests dating back
to the start of the 2011 season.
• Pitt State has displayed a balanced offensive attack. The Gorillas have run the ball 59
percent of the time (410 attempts), while passing the ball 41 percent of the time
(289 attempts).
Scouting the Lions
Offensively, the Lions are averaging 25.2 points and 358.5 total yards per game this season, generating 75.8 yards through the air and 282.7 yards per game on the ground.
Missouri Southern rattled off 34 unanswered points to erase an early 10-point deficit against Truman last week at Joplin, Mo.
Senior quarterback Kellen Cox is leading the Lions with 849 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns in nine games this season. His 84.9 ypg rushing average ranks fifth in the MIAA. Senior Slot back Ne’Rontte Threatt is second on the team with 471 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
Cox has passed for 507 yards while completing 30 of 76 passes (.395) passes with two touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Senior wide receiver Landon Zerkel has recorded 19 catches, more than double than any other Lions receiver, for 382 yards. He has hauled in both of the Lions passing touchdowns.
Senior linebacker Alex Wong leads the Lion defense with 63 tackles.
Senior defensive tackle Brandon Williams has recorded a team-high 13.5 tackles for loss, including 6.5 sacks this season.
