By Richard Polen

sports@joplinglobe.com

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Big plays by Pittsburg State University’s defense made things easy for the offense Saturday afternoon in the Gorillas’ 48-17 victory over Washburn University.

Pittsburg State took a 28-3 first-half lead as quarterback Mark Smith consistently was able to get outside for big rushing yardage against the Icabods, and tailback Caleb Farabi finished off Washburn with four touchdowns in a game that left PSU fans buzzing about the Gorillas’ chances in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

“I thought we played about as good as we can play defensively in the first half,” head coach Chuck Broyles said. “Mark was faster than their free safety. Mark has good speed and he got into their secondary.”

Smith had 113 yards rushing on eight carries in the first half, and Farabi finished with 126 yards on 26 carries behind a Pitt State offensive line that dominated Washburn’s defensive front.

“We always want to come out and be explosive from the start,” senior guard Kendall Molz said. “In the last few games, we haven’t come out in the second half as well as we would like.”

Pittsburg State, 9-1 overall and 7-1 in the MIAA, finishes its regular season next Saturday at Emporia State. The loss dropped Washburn to 6-4 overall and 4-4 in the MIAA. The Icabods had minus-6 yards rushing on 13 attempts and just six first downs in the first three quarters of the game.

“We played a complete game on both sides of the ball for the first time this season,” Farabi said. “Defensively, we’re getting better every game. The time to peak is now.”

The key defensive series for the Gorillas came late in the first quarter when an interception by Washburn free safety Casey Curran gave the Icabods the ball at the PSU 39. A 35-yard completion from quarterback Dane Simoneau to wide receiver Drameagon Powers put Washburn on the 4-yard line with a first-and-goal.

Then on third down, Pittsburg cornerback Caleb Sanders deflected a pass in the end zone, and Washburn had to settle for a 22-yard field goal by Garret Cummings, which made the score 14-3 with 4 minutes, 23 seconds left in the quarter.

The Gorillas then drove 72 yards in 16 plays for their third touchdown, thanks to a 22-yard scramble by Smith on a 4-and-5 play that gave PSU a first down at the Washburn 12. Farabi scored five plays later, and Pitt State led 21-3.

Afterward, Washburn never threatened to score until a meaningless touchdown against Pitt State’s second unit in the final seconds of the game.

“We were very aggressive,” said sophomore strong safety Alex Kuhlman, who forced Simoneau to fumble on a 3-and-14 play in the first quarter. The ball was recovered by outside lineback Spencer Worthington and led to Pitt State’s second touchdown.

“We blitzed a lot,” he said. “This was our best game defensively, except for a few lapses.”