PITTSBURG -- The Pittsburg State University football team will make its 2025 season debut Thursday (Aug. 28) when the Gorillas travel to Big Rapids, Mich., to battle NCAA Division II powerhouse Ferris State University. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. (CDT) at Top Taggart Stadium.

Pitt State enters the 2025 season with high aspirations following an 8-3 season a year ago. The Gorillas, the No. 9 ranked team in the 2025 AFCA NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 poll, made their third straight appearance in the NCAA Division II national playoffs a year ago. Pitt State is seeking its third   MIAA crown in four seasons after claiming back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.
The Gorillas return 12 starters from last year's squad, including eight players who received All-MIAA accolades a year ago.

Ferris State, a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), posted a 14-1 record in 2024 en route to capturing the NCAA Division II National Championship. After dropping a 19-3 decision to Pitt State in the 2024 season opener in Pittsburg, the Bulldogs posted 14 straight wins to close out the season. FSU is the preseason No. 1 team in Division II entering the 2025 campaign.

The Coaches
Tom Anthony enters his his second year as head football coach at Pittsburg State University. He guided the Gorillas to an 8-3 record during his debut season in 2024, including guiding Pitt State to the program's third straight trip to the NCAA Division II national playoffs.

Anthony returned to campus in December 2023 after a six-month absence to become the Gorillas 16th all-time head coach.

He served as Pitt State's defensive coordinator from 2020-22 under former head coach Brian Wright, helping the Gorillas fashion a 21-7 record and an MIAA title and NCAA-II playoff appearance in 2022.

Anthony was elevated to the role of associate head coach/defensive coordinator prior to the 2022 season. He helped fashion one of the top defensive units in NCAA Division II during his three years with the Gorillas.

In 2022, Anthony's Pitt State defensive squad led the MIAA in scoring defense (14.1 ppg) and ranked second in the conference in total defense (282.6 ypg), rushing defense (93.0 ypg), passing defense (189.6 ypg) and sacks (31). The Gorillas ranked seventh nationally in scoring defense and 19th nationally in total defense. Pitt State was one of just four defensive units to return four or more interceptions for touchdowns in 2022.

In 2021, Anthony's squad led the MIAA in interceptions (14) and the Gorillas ranked second in the conference in scoring defense (19.5 ppg), total defense (341.2 ypg) and rushing defense (120.5 ypg).

This will be Anthony's second match-up against Ferris State. He is 1-0 vs. the Bulldogs.

Tony Annese begins his 13th season as head coach at Ferris State. Annese (Alma College, 1983) has compiled a 137-21-0 (.867) record leading the Bulldogs. He has led Ferris State to three NCAA Division II National Championships in the last four seasons (2021, 2022, 2024). Annese also directed the Bulldogs to a national runner-up finish in 2018. His Bulldog squads are a combined 76-7 (.916) since the 2018 season.

Prior to assuming the head coach role at FSU in 2012, Annese posted a 30-4 (.884) record in three seasons as head coach at Grand Rapids Community College. This will be his third meeting vs. Pitt State. He is 1-1 vs. the Gorillas.

The Pitt State - Ferris State Series
This will be the third all-time meeting between the Gorillas and the Bulldogs in a series that dates back to the 2022 season.

Ferris State posted a 17-14 victory over Pitt State in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Division II playoffs in the first battle between the squads on Nov. 26, 2022, at Big Rapids, Mich.
The Bulldogs went on to post a 14-1 record and capture their second straight NCAA-II National Championship that year.

Last year, Pitt State ushered in the 2024 campaign and the Tom Anthony coaching era with an emphatic 19-3 victory over Ferris State on Aug. 31 before 10,189 fans at Carnie Smith Stadium.
The No. 6 ranked Gorillas forced four turnovers – two fumbles and two interceptions – in the contest and limited the No. 3 ranked Bulldogs 171 yards of total offense.

Austin Schmitt tied the school single game record by booting four field goals in the contest, connecting on kicks from 33, 22, 36 and 36 yards. He had a fifth attempt blocked early in the second quarter.
Pitt State took a 6-3 lead at halftime before pushing its cushion to 16-3 on Cleo Chandler Jr.'s 13-yard touchdown scamper with 5:33 to play in the third quarter.

The Gorillas essentially drove the final nail in the coffin with a 15-play, 50-yard drive that ended with Schmitt's final field goal. The drive, which started with 14:54 to play in the game, consumed 9:10 of play clock.

Chad Dodson Jr. completed 22 of 33 passes for 206 yards. He had one red zone interception late in the second quarter.

The Pitt State defense limited Ferris State to one first-half first down. The Bulldogs managed just 38 net rushing yards on 22 carries. The Gorillas held Ferris State without a touchdown for the first time since the Bulldogs dropped a 20-3 decision to Ashland on Sept. 23, 2017, a span of 79 games.

The two squads announced a two-year extension to their original two-year home/home series Tuesday. Pitt State and Ferris State will open the 2026 campaign in Pittsburg and return to Big Rapids for the 2027 season opener.

Gorillas on the Road
Pitt State has compiled an impressive record in road games over the past 31 years.

The Gorillas have posted a 122-37-1 (.766) record in its last 160 road games (including post-season play) dating back to the start of the 1994 season. The Gorillas are 58-14 (.806) in their last 72 road games dating back to Oct. 23, 2010.

Pitt State posted a 5-0 record on the road in 2024.

Ferris State has won each of its last 19 home games and the Bulldogs have compiled a 43-2 (.956) home record since the start of the 2018 season under head coach Tony Annese.

PSU's Regular Season Success
Pitt State has won 341 of its last 412 regular season games, posting a phenomenal 341-69-2 (.830) mark during the past 40 seasons (1985-2024). PSU is 178-30-1 at home, 159-30-1 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 73-39-5 (.645) record in season openers over the program's 117-year history.

Since the 1978 campaign, Pitt State has built a 39-7-1 (.840) record in season openers with a 24-4 (.857) record the past 28 seasons. The Gorillas are 11-3-1 (.767) in road season openers since joining NCAA Division II and the MIAA in 1989.

All-Time Winningest Programs
Pittsburg State is the all-time winningest NCAA Division II football program. The Gorillas, who are playing in their 118th season of intercollegiate competition, have compiled a 760-365-48 overall record, winning 66.8 percent of their 1,173 all-time games.

Pittsburg State is one of just two NCAA Division II institutions to have recorded 700 all-time victories and the Gorillas became just the 33rd program – the first Division II institution – across all levels of college football to reach the 700-win plateau.

Tuskegee is second on the Division II all-time list with 719 victories, followed by Hillsdale (669), Carson-Newman (663) and Central Oklahoma (663).

Ferris State has a 514-446-42 (.534) record in 115 seasons of intercollegiate play.

The Pitt State Offense
The Gorillas will turn to a new signal caller this fall with the departure of outgoing quarterback Chad Dodson Jr., who left the program last fall with 30 career victories under center and as a three-time All-MIAA performer.

Redshirt junior Jake Wolff and redshirt sophomore Tre Baker both return for their second season in the Pitt State program and will look to challenge for the starting role, along with senior transfer Jackson Berry.

Wolff (6-2, 204) completed six of seven pass attempts in limited action for the Gorillas in 2024, after transferring to Pitt State from FCS member University of Northern Iowa. He was a second-team All-Jayhawk Conference performer at Butler Community College in 2022, passing for 1,718 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Baker (6-0, 205) came to Pitt State a year ago from FCS member Southern Illinois University. He passed for 2,400 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior at Lee's Summit (Mo.) North High School in 2022.
Berry transferred to Pitt State in January from Division I Southern Utah University. Berry (6-0, 201) appeared in 10 games for the T-Birds in 2024, passing for 1,558 yards and 12 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He also rushed the ball for 236 net yards and one touchdown.

Up front, the Gorillas return a stable of veteran linemen led by seniors Drew Daniels, Carter Stanchfield and Coby James and redshirt junior Kaden Degraffenreid.

Daniels (6-2, 285) started the final seven games of the 2024 campaign at guard after being sidelined early in the year due to injury. He garnered second-team All-MIAA honors following the conclusion of the season, after receiving honorable mention All-MIAA recognition in 2023. Daniels is expected to slide inside to the center position this fall.

Stanchfield (6-4, 305) started all 11 games at left guard in 2024 after making one start and appearing in 10 games in 2023. James (6-3, 280) will vie for the starting role at right tackle this fall after appearing in 10 games and making one start a year ago. Degraffenreid (6-5, 305), who saw action in 10 games in 2024, exited spring drills as the frontrunner for the starting role at left tackle.

Redshirt freshman Quinton Bradley (6-3, 285), redshirt sophomore Max Hansen (6-7, 305) and redshirt junior Peko Leasiolagi (6-2, 295) also are back for their second, or third, seasons in the Pitt State program, while the Gorillas have bolstered the offensive line unit's depth with the addition of transfers Sabastian Carter Jr. (6-4, 275), Bryson Norris (6-3, 340) and Colin Beesley (6-5, 295).
Redshirt sophomore Kaden Keith (6-3, 300) and redshirt freshmen Manny Conley (6-5, 315), Braden Gifford (6-6, 287) and Gage Stegall (6-5, 335) also will look to be impact performers for the Gorillas.

In the backfield, the Gorillas welcome back an All-MIAA performer in redshirt senior Cleo Chandler Jr. as well as a stable of experienced runners.

Chandler (5-11, 215) carried the ball 110 times for 467 yards (4.6 ypc) and four touchdowns in 2024, earning honorable mention All-MIAA accolades. The veteran back has compiled 262 carries for 1,078 yards (4.1 ypc) and 15 touchdowns in 35 career games played for the Gorillas. 

Redshirt senior Jahkobie Smith (5-10, 205) and redshirt sophomore Dylan Van (6-0, 170) also saw limited action in the backfield for the Gorillas last year, while senior Tyler Ross (6-1, 225) made the move to running back from linebacker during spring drills.

Junior transfer Zahmari Palode-Gary (5-7, 185) has also joined the squad from Garden City Community College, where he compiled 939 all-purpose yards in 2024 and earned honorable mention All-Jayhawk Conference honors.

The Gorillas will utilize a mix of returners and newcomers in the wide receiving corps led by redshirt junior Kuron Parchmon.

Parchmon (5-11, 163) made 30 receptions for 502 yards (16.7 ypc) and three touchdowns last year, earning honorable mention All-MIAA honors.

Redshirt senior Arlandes Mitchell (6-1,184) and redshirt junior Kam Gillespie (6-0, 193) are looking to add to their productivity this fall, while redshirt junior Greyson Holbert (5-11, 192) is back after bouncing back from an injury-shortened campaign a year ago.

Graduate transfer Jaelon Travis (6-1, 205) joined the Gorillas in January from FCS member University of the Incarnate Word, while redshirt senior TyJuan Atkins Jr. (6-1, 190) and junior Kye Stone (6-1, 184) will look to be impact performers in their debut seasons at Pitt State.

Senior Cortland Hervey (6-6, 194), redshirt sophomore Bryant Bull (6-4, 200) and redshirt freshman Jaxson Brust (5-10, 171) also will challenge for playing time for the Gorillas.

At tight end, the Gorillas return a moderate level of experience to the group, but all players will seek their first career receptions this fall.

Junior Jaydon Knight (6-4, 245) and redshirt sophomore Luke Niggemann (6-3, 235) each played in all 11 games in 2024. Niggemann made an impact in the running game, carrying the ball 24 times for 149 yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns.

Redshirt senior Damon Garrison (6-5, 245), redshirt sophomore Jaydon Hill (6-3, 235) and redshirt freshman Eli Youman (6-5, 245) also bring returning experience to the position.

The Pitt State Defense
The Gorillas return six starters from a 2024 defensive unit that allowed 21.4 points and 367.2 total yards per game, led by two-time All-MIAA cornerback Jaylen Fuksa and two-time All-MIAA safety Jordan Rogers.

Fuksa (5-11, 177), a redshirt senior, made 32 tackles (22 solo) with six pass breakups and a fumble recovery last year, earning second-team All-MIAA honors for a second straight season. He has compiled 83 career tackles (55 solo) with one interception and 26 pass breakups.

Rogers (5-10, 188) posted 42 tackles (24 solo), including 2.0 quarterback sacks, four interceptions and four PBUs. Rogers secured first-team All-MIAA honors in 2024 after receiving third-team All-MIAA recognition the previous season. He has made 77 career tackles (50 solo) with 4.0 quarterback sacks, 10 interceptions and 19 pass breakups.

Redshirt seniors Kristian Cross and Antione Nunn Jr. redshirt junior T.J. Tate will join Fuksa in looking to be impact performers at cornerback this fall.

Cross (5-11, 181) claimed honorable mention All-MIAA honors a year ago when he posted 22 tackles (19 solo) and six pass breakups. Nunn (5-10, 171) has played in 36 career games and has six interceptions and 20 PBUs to his credit. Tate (6-2, 197) is looking for a bounce back season after exercising a medical redshirt in 2024.

Redshirt seniors Ryan Medeiros and Reginald King Jr. and junior Jasper Ogburn join Rogers in the safeties corps.

Medeiros (6-0, 192) posted 47 tackles (24 solo) a year ago, tops among Pitt State's returners. He also compiled one interception, two PBUs and two fumble recoveries. Medeiros enters the season with 96 career tackles (43 solo), two interceptions and seven PBUs. King (6-3, 191) saw action in five games last year and recorded a pair of pass breakups. Ogburn (6-0,185) registered 28 tackles and two forced fumbles in 2024.

Redshirt sophomore Mario Menghini (6-3, 204) and redshirt freshman Spencer Ward (5-9, 192) will add depth to the safety positions.

A trio of veterans – redshirt seniors Zach Coenen and Steven Ward II and redshirt junior Bryce Johnson – return to anchor Pitt State's linebackers room.

Coenen (6-0, 220) started six of 10 games played last year, making 30 tackles (16 solo) including three behind the line of scrimmage. Ward (6-0, 215) made an immediate impact in his debut season in 2024, posting 24 tackles (15 solo) and three pass breakups. Johnson (6-1, 228) has 39 tackles (27 solo), an interceptions, six PBUs and two fumble recoveries in 24 games played for the Gorillas.

Redshirt seniors J.P. Foreman (5-11, 215) and Dylan Garrison (6-4, 235), redshirt sophomores Cameron Wolfe (6-0, 210) and Jackson Young (6-0, 205) and redshirt freshmen Blake Carr (6-2, 215) and Billy Wolfe (6-3, 220) also figure to vie for action for the Gorillas.

On the defensive line, the Gorillas welcome back a pair of returning starters in redshirt seniors Jeremy Sharp and James Smith as well as a host of veterans with game experience.

Sharp (6-3, 270) made 15 tackles (eight solo) with 5.0 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 quarterback sacks from his interior tackle position last fall, while Smith (6-2, 275) posted 26 tackles (12 solo) with 4.0 TFLs and 1.5 QB sacks from his end spot.

Sharp will be joined inside by redshirt freshmen Osahon Ogbevoen (6-1, 240) and Kameron Estrada (6-3, 275), redshirt sophomore Isaiah Alexander (6-1, 267), junior Sam Hultz (6-3, 285) and redshirt junior Max Dulansky (6-2, 290). Hultz posted 1.5 tackles-for-loss a year ago. Alexander made seven tackles and a fumble recovery in 2023.

Redshirt junior transfer Tae Shon McDaniels (6-3, 275) also joined the Gorillas in January from FCS member University of Northern Iowa.

Redshirt sophomore Jack Standlee (6-4, 263) and redshirt freshman Kiros Martin (6-1, 265) will look to back up Smith at defensive end.

At the Leo position, redshirt junior Ely Wilcox and redshirt sophomore Dagen Dean return to the lineup after missing action a year ago. Wilcox (6-4, 245) registered 22 tackles with 4.0 TFLs and 3.0 QB sacks while starting nine games two years ago. Dean (6-2, 226) had 12 stops with 2.5 TFLs as a true freshman in 2023.

Redshirt senior Jaden Wallace (6-2, 230), redshirt freshman Elijah Morton (6-2, 235) and redshirt sophomore Nchang Ndifor (5-11, 210) also will vie for playing time at Leo. Morton logged 3.0 quarterback sacks in two games played as a true freshman in 2024.

Pitt State Special Teams
The Gorillas return a pair of talented placekickers in junior Austin Schmitt and redshirt freshman Hayden Koscicki.

Schmitt (6-1, 191) garnered second-team All-MIAA honors in 2023 when he converted 15 of 18 field goal attempts and 47 of 48 PAT tries and scored a team-leading 92 points. He ranked seventh in NCAA Division II in field goal percentage (.833) and 18th nationally in field goals per game (1.15 pg). Schmitt made six of eight field goals and all eight of his PAT attempts during an injury shortened sophomore campaign.

Koscicki (6-3, 190) converted two of four field goals and all nine of his PAT tries in three games played as a true freshman last year.

Redshirt freshman transfer Tyler Antle will seek to handle Pitt State's punting chores, Antle (6-2, 235) joined the Gorillas in January from Coffeyville Community College. He was a two-time All-State prep punter at Frontenac High School.

Junior Austin O'Hara (5-11, 204) figures to handle Pitt State's long snapping chores.

Medeiros earned honorable mention All-MIAA honors as a return specialist for the Gorillas in 2023. He has 53 career punt returns for a 9.8 yard return average. Fuksa averaged 31.4 yards on eight kickoff returns in 2024, including one he returned 85 yards for a touchdown, earning honorable mention All-MIAA honors as a return specialist last year.