The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Sports

Discussion

November 1, 2008

Pitt State defense sets tone in thrashing of Washburn

Caleb Farabi’s four touchdowns provide offensive spark against Ichabods

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.”

Kuhlman got the ball back for the Gorillas again with an interception on the fourth play of the second half, and Pitt State again took advantage by driving 33 yards in seven plays for their fifth touchdown.

“The quarterback threw it right at me,” Kuhlman said. “It was just right place, right time.”

Farabi’s 9-yard scoring run gave the Gorillas a 34-10 lead less than six minutes into the second half.

“The big thing today was the third quarter, to come out and finish the game,” said senior linebacker Rusty Morgan. “It was a must win game and to come out the way we did was huge.”

Text Only
Sports
Beyond the Box Score
Opinion

Local News

Facebook
Poll

Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr wants the city to distribute weather radios to all Joplin homes that don’t have one. That’s 11,000 radios. Do you think that’s a good use of $300,440?

Yes.
No.
     View Results
Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
National News

NDN Video
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion' Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords 5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La. Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal $25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix