The Pittsburg State University football team, the No. 7 ranked team in NCAA Division II, will travel to Joplin, Mo., Saturday (Nov. 1) to face MIAA rival Missouri Southern State University.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (CDT) at MSSU's Fred G. Hughes Stadium.

Pittsburg State, the winningest all-time NCAA Division II program, brings a 7-1 record into Saturday's action. The Gorillas defeated the University of Nebraska-Kearney, 36-21, for their fourth consecutive victory of the season.

Southern is 4-4 on the season. The Lions claimed a 31-17 road win over Lindenwood University last Saturday (Oct. 25) at St. Charles, Mo. MSSU has alternated two-game losing and winning streaks during its first eight games.

The State Farm Trophy Series
This is the sixth year of the Trophy Series, the first year with State Farm's corporate partnership. The Trophy Series is a cooperative effort between MSSU, PSU and State Farm 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 12 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. Pitt State has won the Trophy Series each of the past two years (2012-13 and 2013-14).

The Coaches
Tim Beck is in his fifth season as head coach at Pitt State. He has compiled a 43-13 (.768) 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 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).

MSSU's Daryl Daye is in his third year leading the Lions and his eighth year as a collegiate coach. Daye (LSU, '86) has managed a 17-12 (.586) record at MSSU but he has a 34-50 (.425) career mark.

The Pitt State-Missouri Southern Series
This will be the 47th 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 36-9-1 advantage in the series.

The Gorillas are 19-3-1 vs. the Lions in Pittsburg and 17-6-0 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 Gorillas have dominated the series, winning 26 of the 28 meetings. All told, Pitt State has averaged a 35-14 victory in the 28 meetings, winning by an average score of 34-14 in Joplin.

The clash always brings out the area fans. The Miner's Bowl game has averaged 8,309 fans in the last 19 meetings.

PSU's Regular Season Success
Pitt State has won 272 of its last 321 regular season games, posting a phenomenal 272-47-2 (.850) mark during the past 30 seasons (1985-2014). PSU is 148-16-1 at home, 120-22-1 on the road and 4-9-0 at neutral sites in the regular season during that span.

Gorillas on the Road
Pitt State has posted a 71-21-0 (.772) record in its last 92 road games (including post-season play), including 18 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 18-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 82-23-1 (.778) on the road.

Southern has managed a 9-6 record in home games under Coach Daye, including a 2-2 mark  at Fred G. Hughes Stadium this season. The Lions are just 18-20 (.474) at home since 2008, and the Gorillas have defeated Southern nine straight times at Joplin dating back to the 1995 season – winning by an average score of 34-14.

Pitt State in the AFCA Top 25 Poll
Pitt State, currently the No. 7 team in NCAA Division II, has been ranked in Division II's top 10 109 times in the last 198 polls and the Gorillas have been ranked in the top 25 poll in 172 of 198 weeks overall (dating back to the 1999 season).

All-Time Winningest Programs
Pittsburg 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 680-332-48 overall record, winning 66.4 percent of their 1,060 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 five schools to have reached the 600-win plateau.  Tuskegee is second on the all-time list with 654 victories, followed by Hillsdale (610), Carson-Newman (603) and Central Oklahoma (600).

Southern has managed a 237-238-7 (.499) record in 47 seasons of play.

Playing Ahead
Pitt State has capitalized on fast starts to build several early first-quarter leads this season.

The Gorillas have scored on their opening drive in three of eight games. Pitt State has trailed in just three games this season for a total of 109 minutes, 51 seconds. The Gorillas have played in the lead in 317:28 of 480 total minutes played – an average 39:41 per game.  Pitt State has been tied or trailed for just 20:19 per game.

Pitt State Defense Leads Nation in Points allowed
The Pittsburg State University defense has allowed just 82 points in the Gorillas first eight games, a scant 10.3 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 leads 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 leading NCAA Division II in points allowed, the Pitt State defense ranks among the nation's top squads in several statistical categories.

The Gorillas also rank second in first down defense (12.3 pg), third in third down conversion defense (.250) and passing efficiency defense (87.5 rating) and fourth nationally in total defense, passing yards allowed (137.0 ypg) and red zone defense, allowing just seven scores in 13 opponent trips inside the Pitt State red zone (.538, 7-for-13).

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 349 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 31-33-1 (.485) 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 99,026 yards (including postseason competition) for an average of 283.7 yards per game.

This year, however, the Gorillas have rushed for less than 200 yards in seven of their eight contests, averaging 141.6 yards per game on the ground. Pitt State defeated top-ranked Northwest Missouri, 35-17,  on Oct. 18 despite being limited to 53 rushing yards in the contest.

… But Don't Overlook Pitt State 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 28,435 yards and 218 TDs, averaging 233.1 passing yards and 1.8 touchdown passes per game in the last 122 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 (7,909) and he's averaging 294.9 passing yards with 19 touchdowns and three interceptions.

During the past two seasons (2013-14), Abenoja has completed 343 of 552 passes (.621) for 5,313 yards (265.7 ypg) and 49 touchdowns with just eight interceptions.

Quick Strike Offense
The 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 653 scoring drives (551 TDs, 102 FGs) and averaged just 2:37 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    42 scoring drives (29 TDs, 13 FGs)    3:09 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 116 games, posting a 53-3 (.946) record in those games. By contrast, Pitt State is 33-27 (.550) in games it doesn't score on its opening drive during the same span.

Pitt State Displays Prolific Offense
The 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 32.8 points and 447.0 yards of total offense this season.

Abenoja Among Nation's Top Quarterbacks
Senior quarterback Anthony Abenoja is in his third year directing the high-powered Pitt State offense. Abenoja (6-3, 217) has compiled a 24-6 (.800) 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.

Abenoja also set the Pitt State career touchdown passes record (62) when he passed for 438 yards – the second-best single game passing total – and five TDs vs. Emporia State (Oct. 11). For the season, he has completed 160 of 263 passes (.635) for 2,359 yards (294.9 ypg) and 19 touchdowns with three interceptions.

He currently leads the MIAA and ranks 13th in NCAA Division II in passing efficiency with a 157.7 rating. Abenoja also leads the MIAA in passing yards (294.9 ypg) and total offense (301.3 ypg). For his career, Abenoja has completed 527 of 861 passes (.613) for 7,907 yards and 67 touchdowns. He also has rushed for 601 net yards to compile 8,508 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 (Oct. 11). He already holds the school's career completions record, and he also ranks second on Pitt State's career total offense list with 8,508 yards.

Abenoja broke into the MIAA's all-time top 10 passing list (he's currently eighth) and he needs just two yards to break into the conference top 10 total offense list as well.

PSU Career Passing Yards    Comp-Att    Yards
    1.    Anthony Abenoja, 2011-pr.    527-861    7907

MIAA Career Passing Yards    Comp-Att    Yards
    1.    Eric Czerniewski, UCM, 2006-10    1043-1678    12847

    6.    Adam Hinspeter, MSSU, 2005-08    842-1368    9016
    7.    Blake Bolles, NWMSU, 2007-10    662-995    8668
    8.    Anthony Abenoja, 2011-pr.    527-861    7907

PSU Career Passing Touchdowns    TDs
    1.    Anthony Abenoja, 2011-pr.    67

PSU Career Total Offense    Pass    Rush    Total
    1.    Neal Philpot, 2001-04    5831    4337    10168

    2.    Anthony Abenoja, 2011-pr.    7907    601    8508

MIAA Career Total Offense    Pass    Rush    Total
    1.    Eric Czerniewski, UCM, 2006-10    12847    131    12978

    8.    Adam Hinspeter, MSSU, 2005-08    9016    -135    8881
    9.    Josh Chapman, MSSU, 1999-2002    5568    3233    8801
    10.    Matt Ticich, TSU, 2006-08    7011    1498    8509
        Anthony Abenoja, 2011-pr.    7907    601    8508

Cushon Leads MIAA in Receiving Yards
Junior wide receiver Marquise Cushon recorded his sixth career 100-yard receiving game – and his fifth this season – against Nebraska-Kearney on Oct. 25. The Kansas City, Mo., native caught eight passes for 134 yards against the Lopers.

For the season, Cushon (5-10, 162) has a team-leading 43 catches for 789 yards (18.3 ypc) and four touchdowns. He currently leads the MIAA and ranks 24th in NCAA Division II in receiving yards (98.6 ypg). For his career, Cushon has 64 receptions for 1,191 yards (18.6 ypc) and seven touchdowns.  He needs 72 receiving yards to break into Pitt State's all-time top 10 list.

Cushon also has 30 carries for 245 rushing yards (8.2 ypc) and he's compiled 2,220 career all-purpose yards.

He has returned returned 14 punts for an 11.6-yard average, currently ranking 30th in Division II in punt return average.

Lutman Enjoys Record-Breaking Day
Senior 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 on 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.

He followed that game up with a six-catch, 134-yard effort against Northwest Missouri on Oct. 18.

For the season, Lutman has 41 catches for 733 yards (17.9 ypc) and eight touchdowns, ranking second in the MIAA in receiving yards (91.6 ypg). For his career, Lutman has 101 receptions for 1,605 yards (15.9 ypc) and 13 touchdowns. He climbed to fifth on PSU's career receiving yards list and he currently is tied for third in career receptions.

PSU Career Receiving Yards    Rec    Yards
    1.    John Brown, 2011-13    185    3387

    3.    Gene Wayenberg, Jr., 1980-81    75    1827
    4.    Jermaine Carpenter, 2003-04    69    1671
    5.    Gavin Lutman, 2010, '12-pr.    101    1605

PSU Career Receptions    Rec
    1.    John Brown, 2011-13    185

    2.    Ronnie West, 1990-91    123
    3.    Caleb Farabi, 2005-08    101
    3.    Gavin Lutman, 2010, '12-pr.    101

Tyler Emerges in the Backfield
Junior running back Jamal Tyler enjoyed a season-best performance last Saturday (Oct. 25) against Nebraska-Kearney.

Tyler (5-11, 180) carried the ball 15 times for a game-high 102 yards, including a 14-yard TD run. The Rock Hill, S.C., native added three receptions for 42 yards with a 15-yard touchdown. For the season, Tyler has carried the 35 times for 188 yards (5.4 ypc) and one TD. He's also caught 12 passes for 138 yards (11.5 ypc) and three TDs.

Tyler joined the Gorillas in August from Garden City Community College.

Frazell Steady in Kicking Game
Senior 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 13 of 19 field goals. During his three-year career, Frazell has converted 37 of 49 (.755) field goals and 138 of 141 (.979) PATs.

PSU Career Field Goals    FGs
    1.    Josh Barcus, 1995-98    44

    2.    Connor Frazell, 2012-pr.    37
                    
PSU Career Kick Scoring    Points
    1.    Nathan Alleman, 2003-06    401

    3.    Josh Barcus, 1995-98    287
    4.    Connor Frazell, 2012-pr.    249

Scouting the Lions
Missouri Southern has compiled a 4-4 record through its first eight games. The Lions have posted back-to-back wins, including a 31-17 victory over Lindenwood University in its last action on Oct. 25 at St. Charles, Mo.
The Lions are scoring 17.7 points per game and averaging 384.4 total yards (306.0 rushing, 78.4 passing).

Junior quarterback Scott Lathrop (5-11, 180) has started the last five games for the Lions, after seeing reserve action the first three weeks of the season. Lathrop has completed 25 of 46 passes (.543) for 495 yards (70.7 ypg) and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He's also carried the ball 67 times for 319 yards (4.8 ypc) and four scores.

Junior fullback Giresse Forchu (5-10, 180) has rushed the ball a team-leading 124 times for 622 yards (5.0 ypc) and a team-leading 12 TDs. Junior slotback Michael Nelson (5-10, 190) has 72 carries for 426 yards (5.9 ypc) and five scores, while freshman Shannon Saunders has 72 carries for 365 yards (7.4 ypc) and six TDs.

Defensively, the Lions are allowing 29.0 points and 378.2 total yards per game (152.1 rushing, 226.1 passing).

Sophomore defensive back Jonhquavious McBride (5-11, 190) has made a team-leading 63 tackles (29 solo) with 4.5 tackles-for-loss and 3.0 quarterback sacks. He also has logged two interceptions and six PBUs.
Senior defensive end Eric Dago (6-3, 236) has 30 stops (13 solo) with a team-leading 6.0 TFLs, while junior defensive end Laynce Sanders (6-1, 210) has made 13 tackles (three solo) with 5.5 TFLs and 2.5 QB sacks.

Freshman kicker Brock Renken (6-1, 180) has converted four of six field goals and 31 of 34 PATs on the season.

Senior Kyle Jaski (5-11, 200) has punted 32 times for a 42.2 yard average with five kicks inside the opponent 20 yard line.

Junior Ty'Quan Hayes (6-1, 210) has returned 12 punts for an 11.5-yard average and he's returned 15 kickoffs for a 20.2 yard average.