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Ladies and
gentlemen, it's Pittsburg State week. That's all I really need to
say to fire myself up for this game. These games have a tendency to
be talked about for many years to come. I see no reason why this
one should be any different.
Most Mule fans
will undoubtedly remember Dennis Gile’s pass to Todd Devoe in 2002.
The Mules had a third and 14 and Gile found Devoe in the end zone to
secure the overtime victory, after Pitt State had kicked a field
goal on the first possession of overtime. I still remember
the call by "the voice of
the mules" Shawn Jones. That was the game that got the Mules into
the National Playoffs for the first time in school history. Devoe
just went up and snatched it out of the air.
Another Pitt
State/UCM game that sticks out in my mind happened in 2005. I had
the pleasure of watching Will Caldwell rack up a school record 276
yards and five touchdowns. That day the Mules handed the Gorillas
the worst defeat in the modern history of Pittsburg State football,
83-21.
It hasn't been
all fun and games for the Mules in this rivalry. The Gorillas won
in double-overtime in Warrensburg last year. I wouldn't be
surprised if this game comes down to the last play of the game. More
on that showdown later.
Last Saturday,
the 20th ranked Mules opened the home portion of their conference
schedule with a 43-34 win over 25th-ranked Washburn. A few things
stood out to me as I watched this game at Walton Stadium. UCM got
off to another good start. The offense scored on its first
possession for the fourth time in as many games. I thought the
offense was very good early in the game in moving the ball up and
down the field against a good Washburn defense.
The defensive
line was in the Washburn backfield the entire game. The Mules put
constant pressure on quarterback Jake Iverson and the Ichabod
offense. The Mules’ defense also got some help from their
secondary. Junior defensive back Mike Stevenson made two huge plays
on defense that led directly to eight points. Stevenson got a huge
sack on a safety that put the Mules up by two points early in the
game.
I think this was
the turning point in the game. Washburn spent the rest of the game
having to chase those two points. Stevenson also helped out a
struggling Mules’ offense in the second half. He picked off a pass
and returned it for a touchdown when the Mules were in desperate
need of a score.
I have two major
concerns when I look back at this game. The first is the
UCM special teams. As much emphasis as head coach Willie Fritz puts
in this area, the mistakes have to be driving him crazy. The Mules
had another punt blocked, as well another punt fumbled by return man
Bobby Guillory
I have to give
Guillory credit though, he did not hang his head after the play. He
came back right after the Washburn touchdown and picked up his
second rushing touchdown of the game. The Mules finally finished
off the Ichabods, grinding out a first down on an 8 yard run by
senior running back Glenn Milner. Washburn was assessed a personal
foul at the end of the play to finish the game.
My other concern
is that the offense starts so fast, and then struggles in the middle
the game. I know that part of this has to do with defensive
adjustments, but the offense has to be able to at least move the
ball to begin the second half. This helps keep the defense fresh
for the crucial second half of games. However, a win is a win.
The Mules
improved their record to 4-0, 2-0 in the MIAA. This sets up what
will be the game of the week in Division II football this week, when
the Mules travel to afore mentioned Pittsburg, Kansas. Both teams
will come into the game with a national ranking. A sellout crowd is
expected for the game.
Pittsburg State
also comes into the game undefeated. The Gorillas got all they
wanted from Missouri Western last Saturday. The Gorilla defense
held on fourth down from their own two yard line on the final play
of the game to preserve a 46-40 victory.
Scouting
Pittsburg State
The Gorillas are
led by 19th-year Head Coach Chuck Broyles. The Pittsburg State
offense is led by the combination of senior quarterback Mark Smith
and senior running back Caleb Farabi. Smith leads the Pittsburg
State passing game with 675 yards and six touchdowns. Senior
Marques Nelson is Smith's favorite target in the passing game.
Nelson has caught 17 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns.
Farabi has added 12 catches for 119 yards.
The trademark
Gorilla rushing attack is led by Farabi. He has rushed 101 times
for 582 yards and four touchdowns. Smith also has rushed the ball
for 206 yards and three touchdowns. Those numbers are good for
second on the team.
The Gorillas are
led on defense by senior inside linebacker Rusty Morgan. Morgan has
racked up 39 tackles, 6.5 for loss. Defensive back Chadd Snyder has
made the transition from quarterback to make 29 tackles. Senior
inside linebacker Austin Cartwright leads the pass rush with two
sacks. Sophomore Alex Kuhlman leads the Gorilla secondary with two
interceptions.
Pitt State also
possesses one of the best return men in the league in senior
Harrison Kush. He averages 11 yards per punt return and 21.5 yards
per kickoff return.
The Gorillas show
multiple formations on offense, including the pistol. They also use
the option from many different formations with Smith and Farabi.
The defense is also very opportunistic.
Keys to the
Game
I think there are
four keys for the Mules to win this football game. First, the Mules
must not make mistakes on special teams. If the Mules give up any
blocked kick, it will change the momentum of the game and the
Gorillas will jump all over it.
Second, the Mules
must control line of scrimmage. Pittsburg State does a good job of
controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The
Mules cannot get pushed around in the trenches.
Third, the Mules
must be assignment sound and disciplined on defense. UCM has to
control the running game. They cannot allow the Gorillas' option
game to run up and down the field. Someone has to have the
quarterback and someone has to have the pitch man at all times
Finally, the
Mules’ offense has to be able to move the ball throughout the game.
This will keep the potent Pittsburg State offense off the field.
The offense can't beat you if they're not on the field.
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by David Rohrbach
