PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University football team will return Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium to host MIAA rival Fort Hays State University in its Homecoming game. Additionally, Pitt State will honor its 1991 NCAA Division II National Champion squad at halftime of Saturday's action as part of that squad's 25th Anniversary Reunion weekend.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (CDT).
Pittsburg State, the winningest all-time NCAA Division II program, enters Saturday's contest with a 4-1 record. The Gorillas have won four games in a row, including a 45-27 road victory over Washburn in its most recent action on Oct. 1.
Fort Hays State also is 4-1 on the season. The Tigers claimed a 34-6 home win over Lindenwood in its most recent action on Oct. 1.
Another Home Sellout
Saturday's anticipated crowd at Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium will represent the 18th sellout in the last 25 home games since the start of the 2012 season.
The official attendance will be announced in the third quarter of Saturday's action, but, based on early ticket sales, the crowd could challenge for a spot among the school's all-time top five home attendance figures. Pitt State has averaged 11,138 fans in 7,950-seat Carnie Smith Stadium in the last four Homecoming contests.
Top Home Game Attedance Total
1. vs. Missouri Western, Oct. 20, 2012 + 11,910
2. vs. Northwest Missouri, Oct. 13, 2001 + 11,862
3. vs. Fort Hays State, Sept. 27, 2014 11,489
4. vs. Washburn, Sept. 19, 2015 11,383
5. vs. Abilene Christian, Oct. 5, 2013 + 10,981
+ Homecoming Game
Gorillas on Homecoming
The Gorillas have posted a 54-11-2 (.821) record on Homecoming dating back to the 1949 season.
This will be the 14th time Pitt State hosts FHSU on Homecoming. The Gorillas are 11-1-1 (.885) in Homecoming games against the Tigers.
The Coaches
Tim Beck has compiled a 57-20 (.740) career record is in his seventh season as head coach at Pitt State.
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).
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 fifth meeting vs. the Tigers. He is 3-1 vs. FHSU.
Chris Brown is in his sixth season as head coach at FHSU. Brown (Pitt State, 1996) has compiled a 34-26-0 (.567) record leading the Tigers. Brown, a three-time All-America free safety for the Gorillas from 1993-95, came to FHSU after serving as defensive coordinator at Washburn from 2002-10. This will be his fifth meeting vs. his alma mater. Brown is 1-3 vs. Pitt State.
Gorillas at Home
Pitt State holds a 344-126-12 (.726) record in 482 games inside Carnie Smith Stadium (including postseason). The Gorillas have won 144 of their last 165 regular season home games, posting a 144-20-1 record (.876) over the last 32 seasons.
Fort Hays State is 17-16 (.515) in its last 33 road games since joining the MIAA in 2010.
PSU's Regular Season Success
Pitt State has won 285 of its last 340 regular season games, posting a phenomenal 285-53-2 (.841) mark during the past 32 seasons (1985-2016). PSU is 153-20-1 at home, 128-24-1 on the road and 4-9-0 at neutral sites in the regular season during that span.
The Pitt State - FHSU Series
This will be the 75th all-time meeting between the Gorillas and the Tigers in a series that dates all the way back to the 1915 season.
Pitt State holds a commanding 46-19-9 advantage in the series. The Gorillas are 24-9-3 vs. the Tigers in Pittsburg all-time, with a 9-1-0 mark since 1980.Pitt State is 20-1-1 in its last 22 overall meetings against Fort Hays State.
Fifthteenth-ranked Pitt State rallied from a 24-14 halftime deficit, holding FHSU scoreless in the second half to claim a 31-24 victory on Sept. 26 at Lewis Field Stadium.
The Gorillas posted their 22nd consecutive regular season road win by outscoring the previously unbeaten Tigers, 17-0, over the final 30 minutes to play.
John Roderique rushed for a game-high 117 yards with two fourth-quarter touchdown runs. He knotted the score at 24-24 with a six-yard run with 12:38 remaining and then put the Gorillas in front, 31-24, with another six-yard run with 5:36 to go.
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 694-339-48 overall record, winning 66.4 percent of their 1,081 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 673 victories, followed by Hillsdale (620), Carson-Newman (617) and Central Oklahoma (610).
Fort Hays State has a 446-460-44 (.493) record in 101 seasons of intercollegiate play.
Quick Strike Offense
The Pitt State offense has exhibited a penchant for being a "quick strike" unit.
During the last 12 seasons (2005-16), the Pitt State offense has generated 759 scoring drives (636 TDs, 123 FGs) and averaged just 2:54 of elapsed time per drive.
2005 97 scoring drives (86 TDs, 11 FGs) 2:40 elapsed time 2011 78 scoring drives (60 TDs, 18 FGs) 2:54 elapsed time
2006 79 scoring drives (72 TDs, 7 FGs) 2:14 elapsed time 2012 51 scoring drives (40 TDs, 11 FGs) 2:58 elapsed time
2007 64 scoring drives (55 TDs, 9 FGs) 3:02 elapsed time 2013 83 scoring drives (70 TDs, 13 FGs) 2:29 elapsed time
2008 69 scoring drives (61 TDs, 8 FGs) 3:23 elapsed time 2014 74 scoring drives (53 TDs, 21 FGs) 3:06 elapsed time
2009 49 scoring drives (44 TDs, 5 FGs) 3:21 elapsed time 2015 50 scoring drives (41 TDs, 9 FGs) 2:53 elapsed time
2010 41 scoring drives (34 TDs, 7 FGs) 3:04 elapsed time 2016 24 scoring drives (20 TDs, 4 FGs) 3:07 elapsed time
The Gorillas have been highly successful when they are quick out of the gates. Pitt State has scored on its opening drive 67 times (55 TDs, 11 FGs) in the last 137 games, posting a 61-6 (.910) record in those games. By contrast, Pitt State is 39-31 (.557) in games it doesn't score on its opening drive during the same span.
Inside The Pitt State Offense
Sophomore QB John Roderique returned from a hand injury that sidelined him since the first quarter of the season opener vs UCM to pass for 279 yards and two TDs vs. LWU on Sept. 24. Roderique completed 18 of 29 passes in the contest and also rushed the ball 10 times for a game-high 56 yards in that game. He completed seven of 10 passes for 113 yards and a TD before leaving the UCM game. The Webb City, Mo., native now has completed 137 of 231 passes (.593) for 1,919 yards (213.2 ypg) and 13 TDs in nine career games. He also has 101 rushes for 555 yards and nine TDs. Roderique has a 6-3 record in eight career starts for Pitt State.
Junior QB Thomas LePage passed for a career-high 286 yards and three touchdowns vs NSU on Sept. 17. LePage, who started two games in place of an injured John Roderique, has completed 115 of 235 passes (.489) for 1,400 yards and 10 TDs in 21 career games. The Jefferson City, Mo., native also has 140 rushes for 439 yards and three TDs. He has a 4-3 record in seven career starts for the Gorillas.
Senior WR Levi Copelin posted four straight 100-yard receiving games to open the season before being held to 73 yards on five catches vs WU on Oct. 1. The Broken Arrow, Okla., native made nine catches for a career-high 191 yards and a TD against UCM. He followed that up with six catches for 114 yards and a TD against UCO and six grabs for 100 yards and a career-high three TDs vs NSU. He made eight catches for 126 yards and a TD vs. LWU. He currently leads the MIAA and ranks 14th in NCAA Division II in receiving yards (120.8 ypg). For his career, Copelin has 65 receptions for 1,107 yards (17.0 ypc) and 10 scores.
Redshirt freshman RS Lorenzo West earned MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts vs. WU on Oct. 1. The Lawton, Okla., native returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown against the Ichabods. His score gave the Gorillas a 14-13 lead en route to a 45-27 victory. West also scored on a 30-yard touchdown run in week two vs. UCO.
Junior WR Austin Panko caught five passes for a career-high 134 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown reception, vs. LWU on Sept. 24. The Lee's Summit, Mo., native has 15 catches for 304 yards (20.3 ypc) and two TDS on the year. He has 56 career receptions for 814 yards (14.5 ypc) and six scores.
Junior OL Bo Farrow has started 29 consecutive games at center for the Gorillas dating back to the start of the 2014 season. The Broken Arrow, Okla., native is a two-time All-MIAA selection. The next most experienced Pitt State offensive lineman – junior Ryan Cipriani – has 13 career starts for the Gorillas.
Senior PK Chad Levin has converted four of nine field goal tries on the season. The Tulsa, Okla., native has now converted 13 of 21 (.619) career field goal attempts and 63 of 66 PAT tries. Levin has scored 102 career points.
Inside The Pitt State Defense
Senior LB Spencer Brown was credited with a career high 15 tackles (seven solo) in week five action vs. WU. The Lee's Summit, Mo., native was named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts vs. UCO in week two when he made nine tackles and returned an INT for the game-sealing touchdown. He now has compiled 255 career tackles (113 solo) with 22.0 tackles-for-loss and 5.5 QB sacks as well as 10 PBUs and one interception.
Senior S Deron Washington earned MIAA Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts vs. WU last week when he return an interception 50 yards for a touchdown, forced and recovered a fumble deep in PSU territory and made six tackles (four solo). The Raymore, Mo., native now has 237 career tackles (122 solo) with 8.5 TFLs and 19 pass break-ups. Washington needs six more PBUs to break into Pitt State's top five list in career PBUs.
Junior LB Ethan Fugitt made the most of his first career start vs LWU on Sept. 24, compiling eight tackles (five solo), a fumble recovery and an interception he returned 23 yards for a touchdown. The Oak Grove, Mo., native followed that up with a career-high 10 tackles vs. WU. He is second on the team with 35 tackles (16 solo) with 2.5 tackles-for-loss, an interception and one pass break-up.
Senior CB Darrius White has made a successful return back from a week one ankle injury. White, who joined the Gorillas in August from BCS member Georgia Southern, made an interception and blocked a pair of PAT tries against LWU on Sept. 24. Against WU, he returned an interception 15 yards for a TD on the game's first play and added a PBU as well. White exited the UCM game in the first half and missed the next two contests.
Sophomore Carter Anchors established a new PSU record with an 84-yard punt vs. LWU on Sept. 24. He has punted 25 times for a 44.6-yard average on the season with eight kicks over 50 yards. The Kansas City, Mo., native leads the MIAA and ranks fifth in NCAA Division II early in the season in punting average.
Junior Austin Panko has averaged 17.5 yards on punt returns, including a 73-yard return for a score vs LWU that helped him earn MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week. The Lee's Summit, Mo., native ranks third in the MIAA and 10th in NCAA Division II in punt returns to date.
Scouting the Tigers
Sophomore quarterback Jacob Mezera directs the FHSU offense. Mezera (6-4, 210) has completed 88 of 147 passes (.599) for 1,015 yards (203.0 ypg) and five touchdowns with two interceptions. He also has scored a rushing touchdown.
Junior wide receiver Tyler Bacon (5-10, 180) has been Mezera's favorite target with 24 catches for 236 yards (9.8 ypc), while redshirt freshman tight end Matt Wendelberger (6-1, 250) has 12 receptions for 138 yards (11.5 ypc).
Junior running back Shaquille Cooper (5-10, 190) has rushed the ball 62 times for 364 yards (5.9 ypc) and one touchdown, while sophomore Malik Thomas (5-11, 185) has 42 carries for 220 yards (5.2 ypc) and five scores.
Senior linebacker Alex Schmidtberger (6-2, 220) leads the FHSU defense with 55 tackles (33 solo) with 2.0 tackles-for-loss, while senior defensive end Sie Doe, Jr. (6-1, 225) has made 37 tackles (15 solo), including 9.5 tackles-for-loss and 8.0 quarterback sacks.
The Tigers are averaging 28.8 points and 370.4 total yards per game (167.4 rushing), while the FHSU defense is allowing 15.4 points and 348.4 total yards (226.6 passing).
