By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
Tailback Danny Woodhead and his 7,962 rushing yards, 109 touchdowns and two Harlon Hill trophies have graduated.
Nevertheless, Chadron State’s offense will present a challenge today to the Pittsburg State defense.
“We’re excited to see what we can do against a team like that,” Gorillas nose guard Mike Roberts said. “We didn’t play bad last week, but (Central Oklahoma) definitely didn’t have the offensive line that Chadron has. Chadron’s line is not as big but fundamentally sound and good.”
Kickoff is at 1 p.m. today in Chadron, Neb., for the matchup of top-15 ranked teams.
No. 8 Chadron State opened with a 37-17 victory at Mary (N.D.) as senior quarterback Joe McLain hit 13 of 25 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 33 yards and a score. The Eagles have a 28-3 record since McLain became their starting quarterback midway through his freshman year.
“He’s not very big (5 feet, 9 inches and 168 pounds), but he’s a good runner and a good thrower,” PSU head coach Chuck Broyles said. “And their running back (Aaron Cooksley) last week had (120) yards rushing.
“They are not going to change very much probably (with Woodhead gone). They are very sound, a lot like the North Dakota teams we’ve played in the past in that they are not real fancy but they don’t make very many mistakes. And they run to the ball on defense.”
Pittsburg State moved up two spots to No. 14 in the NCAA Division II poll after last week’s 16-12 victory at Central Oklahoma. It was the Gorillas’ fewest points in a victory since beating Central Missouri 14-7 in 1999 and just the 28th time since Broyles became head coach in 1990 that PSU scored 16 points or less.
The Gorillas gained 376 yards but lost four fumbles — one at the UCO 1-yard line — and threw an interception.
Quarterback Mark Smith and wide receiver Harrison Kush hooked up for a 17-yard touchdown pass to break an 10-10 deadlock early in the fourth quarter. A botched snap on the extra point allowed Central Oklahoma to score a defensive 2-point conversion.
The Gorilla defense, led by linebacker Rusty Morgan’s 10 tackles, stopped the Bronchos twice on downs and forced a punt to preserve the victory.
“I think we did good (holding UCO to 221 yards),” Roberts said. “For the most part we had our responsibilities under control, did what we were supposed to. But they weren’t as strong fundamentally as what we’re going to see this week.”
Sports
September 6, 2008
Gorillas to challenge No. 8 Chadron today
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Heat take 2-0 lead into Boston in East finals
- McIlroy recovers from rugged start for 71
- Former equipment manager sues Rams
- Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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