The Pittsburg State University football team, the No. 17 ranked team in NCAA Division II, will travel to Maryville, Mo., to face top-ranked and unbeated Northwest Missouri State University Saturday (Oct. 18).
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (CDT) at Bearcat Stadium.
Pittsburg State, the winningest all-time NCAA Division II program, brings a 5-1 record into Saturday's action. The Gorillas posted a 45-17 home win over Emporia State University in their last action Saturday (Oct. 11).
Northwest is 6-0 on the season after claiming a 51-20 road win over Lindenwood University last Saturday (Oct. 11) at St. Charles, Mo. The Bearcats, the defending NCAA Division II National Champions, are currently ranked No. 1 in the AFCA/Division II Top 25 poll.
The CoachesTim Beck is in his fifth season as head coach at Pitt State. He has compiled a 41-13 (.759) career record. Â
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 FieldTurfâ„¢.
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 2013, the Gorillas opened the season 5-0 before finishing the year 7-3 overall, while last year Pitt State posted the program's 20th all-time 10-win season during a 10-2 campaign.
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 sixth meeting vs. the Bearcats. He is 2-3 vs. Northwest.
NWMSU's Adam Dorrel is in his fourth season as head coach of his alma mater, after serving for seven seasons as an assistant coach on the Bearcats staff. He has compiled a 42-6 (.875) record, including 21 consecutive victories. Dorrel, who led Northwest to a 15-0 record and the 2013 NCAA Division II National Championship, has a 2-2 record vs. the Gorilas.
The Pitt State-Northwest Missouri Series
This will be the 48th meeting between the Gorillas and the Bearcats in a series that dates all the way back to the 1932 season.
The competitive series is tied 24-23-0. The Gorillas are 13-7-0 vs. the Bearcats in Pittsburg, while the Bearcats hold an 8-7-0 edge in games played at Maryville and a 9-3-0 advantage at neutral sites all-time.
This will be the first time since the 2001 season that a regular season match-up between the MIAA heavyweights has been played at a campus site – the Gorillas and Bearcats have faced one another the past 12 seasons at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
Last year, No. 2 ranked NWMSU capitalized on short field opportunities and rallied from a touchdown deficit at halftime to claim a 24-15 victory over No. 7 Pitt State in The Fall Classic XII on Oct. 19.
PSU, NWMSU in the MIAANorthwest and Pitt State have enjoyed unparalleled consistent success in the MIAA during the past two decades.
Northwest has posted a 144-12-0 (.923) record in MIAA action since the start of the 1996 season, including a conference record 49 straight MIAA victories which ended with a 38-35 defeat to Pitt State on Oct. 1, 2011, in The Fall Classix XI.
Northwest has won 25 MIAA titles in the school's history, including 13 conference titles in the last 18 seasons.
Pitt State has posted an equally impressive 189-41-1 (.820) record against its MIAA opponents since joining the conference in 1989 – with a 97-14-1 (.871) home mark, a 89-18-0 (.832) road record and a 3-9-0 (.250) record on neutral fields
Northwest has the second-highest winning percentage during the past 26 years in the MIAA. The Bearcats have posted a 185-47-0 (.797) record in MIAA play during that span.
The Gorillas have won 11 MIAA titles since joining the conference 26 years ago.
Either Northwest or Pitt State has won outright or shared the MIAA crown 22 times in the last 25 seasons (1989-2013).
PSU's Regular Season SuccessPitt State has won 270 of its last 319 regular season games, posting a phenomenal 270-47-2 (.850) mark during the past 30 seasons (1985-2014). PSU is 147-16-1 at home, 119-22-1 on the road and 4-9-0 at neutral sites in the regular season during that span.
Gorillas on the RoadPitt State has posted a 70-21-0 (.769) record in its last 91 road games (including post-season play), including 17 straight road wins dating back to the 2010 season.
The Gorillas have not dropped a road game since a 17-14 setback against Emporia State on Oct. 9, 2010. During the current 17-game streak, Pitt State has averaged a 39-15 victory over its opponents.
During the last 20 years (1994-pres.), the Gorillas are an equally impressive 81-23-1 (.776) on the road. Â
Northwest has posted a 64-5 (.928) record in home games since 2004. The Bearcats have won 13 straight home games dating back to the start of the 2013 season.
Pitt State in the AFCA Top 25 PollPitt State, currently the No. 17 team in NCAA Division II, has been ranked in Division II's top 10 107 times in the last 196 polls and the Gorillas have been ranked in the top 25 poll in 170 of 196 weeks overall (dating back to the 1999 season). [for complete poll, see page 7]
This will be the seventh time Pitt State takes on the No. 1 team in Division II. The Gorillas are 1-5 against No. 1-ranked squads. Pitt State is 15-16 on the road against nationally-ranked foes and 32-24 against nationally-ranked MIAA opponents.
All-Time Winningest ProgramsPittsburg State is the all-time winningest NCAA Division II football program. The Gorillas, who are in their 107th season of intercollegiate competition, have compiled a 678-332-48 overall record, winning 66.4 percent of their 1,058 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 four schools to have reached the 600-win plateau. Tuskegee is second on the all-time list with 652 victories, followed by Hillsdale (610), Carson-Newman (601) and Central Oklahoma (599).
Northwest has a 538-393-33 (.538) all-time record since its inception in 1908.
Playing AheadBoth Pitt State and Northwest have capitalized on fast starts to build several early first-quarter leads this season.
The Gorillas have scored on their opening drive in three of six games. Pitt State has trailed in just two games this season for a total of 76 minutes, 20 seconds. The Gorillas have played in the lead in 252:19 of 360 total minutes played – an average 42:03 per game. Pitt State has been tied for trailed for just 17:57 per game.
Northwest has trailed in just one game this season for a total of 5:13 – 3-0 vs. UCO in week four. The Bearcats have played in the lead in 305:45 of 360 total minutes played – an average of 50:58 per game. Northwest has been tied or trailed for just 9:02 per game.
Pitt State, Northwest Defenses Among Nation's FinestThe Pittsburg State University defense has allowed just 44 points in the Gorillas first six games, a scant 7.3 points per game average.
Pitt State has posted two shutouts – 37-0 over Northeastern State in Pittsburg on Sept. 6 and 42-0 over Washburn at Topeka on Sept. 20 – and currently ranks second in NCAA Division II in scoring defense.
The Gorillas last posted two shutouts in a season in 2007. That squad posted three shutouts during an 8-3 campaign.
Since joining NCAA Division II in 1989, Pitt State has recorded 33 shutouts. The Gorillas recorded one or more shutout in every year between 1989 and 2007, except 1998.
No MIAA team has recorded more shutouts in the last 26 seasons (1989-2014) than Pitt State. Central Missouri has the second-most shutouts with 19, while NW Missouri State is third with 13.
This marks the 10th time since joining NCAA Division II that Pitt State has posted two or more shutouts in a season (1989, 1991, 1993-94, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2014).
In addition to ranking second NCAA Division II in points allowed, the Pitt State defense ranks among the nation's top squads in several statistical categories.
The Gorillas also ranks second nationally in passing efficiency defense (74.3 rating) and passing yards allowed (117.3 ypg). Pitt State ranks third in red zone defense, allowing just four scores in nine opponent trips inside the Pitt State red zone (.444, 4-for-9).
Pitt State ranks second nationally in first down defense (63, 10.5 pg), third nationally in total defense (209.5 ypg), fourth nationally in third-down conversion defense (.227) and 12th in rushing defense (92.2 ypg).
Northwest ranks second nationally in total defense, allowing just 201.7 yards per game. The Bearcats rank third in third-down conversion defense (.218), fifth in rushing defense ( 60.2 ypg), first down defense (72, 12.0 pg) and passing efficiency defense (81.3 rating), sixth in passing yards allowed (141.5 ypg), seventh in tackles-for-loss (9.3 pg) and eighth in scoring defense (12.7 ppg).
Ground Game PSU's Bread and Butter…Historically, 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 286 of 347 overall games. The Gorillas have posted a 255-30-1 (.893) record when they eclipse 200 yards rushing. Pitt State is an even more impressive 139-6-0 (.959) when it eclipses 300 yards rushing.
By contrast, PSU is just 29-33-1 (.468) 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 98,779 yards (including postseason competition) for an average of 284.7 yards per game.
This year, however, the Gorillas have rushed for less than 200 yards in five of their six contests, averaging 147.7 yards per game on the ground.
… But Don't Overlook Pitt State Passing AttackWhile 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 27,715 yards and 212 TDs, averaging 231.0 passing yards and 1.8 touchdown passes per game in the last 120 outings.
In 2013, quarterback Anthony Abenoja established a new single-season passing record, averaging 246.2 passing yards per game. Also, against Lincoln on Sept. 28 Abenoja established new school single game records for passing yards (442), passing touchdowns (5) and total offense (463 yards).
The Gorillas averaged 247.7 passing yards with 31 touchdowns and five interceptions last year. This year, Abenoja has become the school's all-time passing yards leader (7,212) and he's averaging 277.3 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and no interceptions.
Quick Strike OffenseThe Pitt State offense has exhibited a penchant for being a "quick strike" unit.
During the last 10 seasons (2005-14), the Pitt State offense has generated 642 scoring drives (543 TDs, 99 FGs) and averaged just 2:36 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   2010   41 scoring drives (34 TDs, 7 FGs)   3:04 elapsed time
2006   79 scoring drives (72 TDs, 7 FGs)   2:14 elapsed time   2011   78 scoring drives (60 TDs, 18 FGs)   2:54 elapsed time
2007   64 scoring drives (55 TDs, 9 FGs)   3:02 elapsed time   2012   51 scoring drives (40 TDs, 11 FGs)   2:58 elapsed time
2008   69 scoring drives (61 TDs, 8 FGs)   3:23 elapsed time   2013   83 scoring drives (70 TDs, 13 FGs)   2:29 elapsed time
2009   49 scoring drives (44 TDs, 5 FGs)   3:21 elapsed time   2014   31 scoring drives (21 TDs, 10 FGs)   3:02 elapsed time
The Gorillas have been highly successful when they are quick out of the gates. Pitt State has scored on its opening drive 56 times (46 TDs, 10 FGs) in the last 114 games, posting a 53-3 (.946) record in those games. By contrast, Pitt State is 31-27 (.534) in games it doesn't score on its opening drive during the same span.
Pitt State Displays Prolific OffenseThe Pitt State offense has asserted itself as one of the top units in NCAA Division II the past 11 seasons (2004-14). 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 eight 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), while the Gorillas ranked 24th nationally in total offense (454.4 ypg) and 27th in the country in rushing offense (204.6 ypg) in 2012. Last year, Pitt State ranked third nationally in scoring (46.5 ppg) and 10th in the country in total offense (499.0 ypg).
The Gorillas are averaging 31.8 points and 434.8 yards of total offense this season.
Abenoja Among Nation's Top QuarterbacksSenior quarterback Anthony Abenoja is in his third year directing the high-powered Pitt State offense.
Abenoja (6-3, 217) has compiled a 22-6 (.786) record as the Gorillas' starter under center.
The Overland Park, Kan., native became Pitt State's all-time passing leader on Sept. 11 against Lindenwood, when he completed 20 of 31 passes for 323 yards and three TDs.
He garnered MIAA Offensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 20 when he completed 19 of 33 passes for 330 yards and four TDs against Washburn.
For the season, he has completed 113 of 178 passes (.635) for 1,664 yards (277.3 ypg) and 14 touchdowns with no interceptions.
He currently leads the MIAA and ranks fifth in NCAA Division II in passing efficiency with a 168.0 rating. Abenoja also leads the MIAA in passing yards (277.3 ypg) and total offense (288.3 ypg).
For his career, Abenoja has completed 480 of 776 passes (.619) for 7,212 yards and 62 touchdowns. He also has rushed for 616 net yards to compile 7,828 yards of total offense.
Abenoja has recorded four of the top five single-game passing totals in school history, including a 442-yard passing performance against Lincoln as a junior in 2013 and a 438-yard effort against Emporia State last week. He already holds the school's career completions record, and he also ranks fourth on Pitt State's career total offense list with 7,400 yards.
He needs 154 passing yards to break into the MIAA's all-time top 10 list and 235 passing yards to climb as high as eighth on the conference list.
PSU Career Passing Yards   Comp-Att   Yards
   1.   Anthony Abenoja, 2011-pr.   480-776   7212
MIAA Career Passing Yards   Comp-Att   Yards
   1.   Eric Czerniewski, UCM, 2006-10   1043-1678   12847
   8.   Chris Greisen, NWMSU, 1995-98   500-843   7446
   9.   Josh Lamberson, NWMSU, 2002-05   575-873   7365
   10.   Paul Kaiser, UCM, 1993-95, '97   513-982   7365
      Anthony Abenoja, 2011-pr.   480-776   7212
PSU Career Passing Touchdowns   TDs
   1.   Anthony Abenoja, 2011-pr.   62
PSU Career Total Offense   Pass   Rush   Total
   1.   Neal Philpot, 2001-04   5831   4337   10168
   2.   Andy Majors, 2002-0   5531   2336   7867
   3.   Anthony Abenoja, 2011-pr.   7212   616   7828
Cushon Closing in On 1,000 YardsJunior wide receiver Marquise Cushon recorded his fourth career 100-yard receiving game – and his third this season – against Missouri Western on Oct. 4. The Kansas City, Mo., native caught seven passes for a game-high 111 yards against the Griffons.
For the season, Cushon (5-10, 162) has a team-leading 29 catches for 550 yards (19.0 ypc) and three touchdowns. For his career, Cushon has 52 receptions for 952 yards (18.3 ypc) and six touchdowns. He needs 48 more yards to reach 1,000 career receiving yards.
Cushon also has 26 carries for 207 rushing yards (8.0 ypc) and he's compiled 1,883 career all-purpose yards.
Lutman Enjoys Record-Breaking DaySenior wide receiver Gavin Lutman set both Pitt State and MIAA single game receiving records when he caught 10 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns last Saturday (Oct. 11) against Emporia State.
Lutman (6-4, 201) bested Kendall Fisher's Pitt State record of 238 receiving yards set on Oct. 17, 2009, against Emporia State. The Peculiar, Mo., native also topped the MIAA record of 254 yards set by Rod Smith of Missouri Southern on Oct. 19, 1991 against Southwest Baptist.
For the season, Lutman has a team-leading 29 catches for 501 yards (17.3 ypc) and six touchdowns.
For his career, Lutman has 89 receptions for 1,373 yards (15.4 ypc) and 11 touchdowns. He climbed to ninth on PSU's career receiving yards list and he currently is tied for sixth place in career receptions.
PSU Career Receiving Yards   Rec   Yards
   1.   John Brown, 2011-13   185   3387
   6.   Bryan Pray, 2005-06   80   1510
   7.   Pierce Curran, 2004-07   97   1419
   8.   Wilton Jones, 1976-79   92   1405
   9.   Gavin Lutman, 2010, '12-pr.   89   1373
PSU Career Receptions   Rec
   1.   John Brown, 2011-13   185
   4.   Pierce Curran, 2004-07   97
   5.   Wilton Jones, 1976-79   92
   6.   Marques Nelson, 2005-08   89
   6.   Jon Thomas, 2008-11   89
   6.   Gavin Lutman, 2010, '12-pr.   89
Bausby Climbs PBU ListSenior cornerback De'Vante Bausby recorded a pass break-up and an interceptions in the Gorillas' last action against Emporia State.
For the season, Bausby (6-2, 179) has made 22 tackles (14 solo), including 1.0 TFL and 0.5 quarterback sack. He also has three interceptions and six PBUs to his credit, leading the MIAA with nine passes defended.
The Kansas City, Mo., native now has 27 career pass break-ups, ranking in fourth place on PSU's career list. He also has 10 career INTs.
PSU Career Pass Break-ups   PBUs
   1.   Ted Adams, 1986-89   40
   2.   Travis Stepps, 1997-2001   28
   2.   Levi Neville, 2000-03   28
   4.   De'Vante Bausby, 2011-pr.   27
Frazell Steady in Kicking GameSenior place kicker Connor Frazell has provided a steady leg to Pitt State's kicking game the past three seasons.
Frazell (6-0, 183) booted three field goals – from 25, 25 and 34 yards – in the Gorillas' 23-14 victory vs. Missouri Western on Oct. 4 to earn MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
The Iola, Kan., native established a new PSU record by making 14 consecutive field goals – he made the final 10 field goal attempts of the 2013 season and his first four tries in 2014. For the season, he has converted 10 of 15 field goals. During his three-year career, Frazell has converted 34 of 45 (.756) field goals and 130 of 133 (.977) PATs.
PSU Career Field Goals   FGs
   1.   Josh Barcus, 1995-98   44
   2.   James Jenkins, 1988-81   35
   3.   Connor Frazell, 2012-pr.   34
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PSU Career Kick Scoring   Points
   1.   Nathan Alleman, 2003-06   401
   3.   Josh Barcus, 1995-98   287
   4.   Connor Frazell, 2012-pr.   232
Scouting the BearcatsNorthwest is the lone unbeaten team in the MIAA at 6-0 on the season. The Bearcats, the defending NCAA Division II national champions, have won 21 straight games dating back to the 2013 season. Northwest posted a 51-20 road win over Lindenwood University in its last action on Oct. 11.
The Bearcats are scoring 40.7 points per game and averaging 458.7 total yards (200.5 rushing, 258.2 passing). Northwest leads the MIAA in scoring and total offense.
Junior quarterback Brady Bolles (6-3, 200) has completed 112 of 182 passes for 1,442 yards (240.3 ypg) and 11 touchdowns with just four INTs on the season. He's also carried the ball 51 times for 131 yards and three more scores.
Senior running back Robert Burton III (5-11, 198) has carried the ball a 59 times for 239 yards (4.1 ypc) and six touchdowns, while sophomore running back Phil Jackson II (6-0, 220) has 61 carries for 234 yards (3.8 ypc) and six scores.
Senior wide receiver Jason Jozaites (6-3, 190) has a team-leading 24 catches for 328 yards (13.7 ypc) and one TD, while senior wide receiver Korey Jackson (6-3, 190) has 20 grabs for 245 yards (12.2 ypc) and three scores.
Defensively, the Bearcats are allowing just 12.7 points and 201.7 total yards per game (60.2 rushing, 141.5 passing). Northwest leads the MIAA in rushing and total defense and ranks second in points allowed.
Senior linebacker Eric Reimer (6-2, 225) has made a team-leading 37 tackles (18 solo) with 7.0 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 quarterback sacks.
Senior defensive end Matt Longacre (6-3, 240) has 19 stops (2 solo) with an MIAA-leading 4.5 quarterback sacks, while senior linebacker D.J. Gnader (6-2, 225) has made 26 tackles with 6.0 TFLs, 2.5 QB sacks, an interception and a pass break-up.
Sophomore kicker Simon Mathiesen (6-4, 180) has converted four of eight field goals and 20 of 22 PATs on the season. Senior Kyle Goodburn (6-0, 180) has averaged an MIAA-leading 42.8 yards on 20 punts with 11 kicks inside the opponent 20 yard line.
