Gorillas dominate Indianapolis in playoff opener

PITTSBURG, Kan. – (WATCH) #4 Pitt State beats #13 UIndy 35-0 in the first round of the Division II playoffs Saturday.

Pitt State will travel to face Ferris State in the second round next weekend.

Gorillas fall to Quincy; English posts double-double for Gorillas

PITTSBURG, Kan. – (WATCH) Pitt State falls to Quincy 82-58 Friday night at the Pitt State Classic.

Marque English posts a double-double for the Gorillas with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Pitt State will be back in action Saturday night vs. Illinois-Springfield at 7:30 PM.

Gorillas prepare to face UIndy in first playoff game since 2014

PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Pittsburg State Gorillas are back in the Division II national football playoffs.

The Gorillas (11-0) will host the GLVC champion University of Indianapolis (9-1) in the first round on Saturday.

Pitt State heads into the weekend ranked #4 in the national poll, while UIndy is #13.

Saturday’s game will be a tough test for the Pitt State offense. The Greyhounds have the #1 rush defense in the nation, allowing just 54 yards per game on the ground.

“Their front 7 really attacks the ball,” says Pitt State offensive lineman Kory Woodruff, “It doesn’t seem to me like they’re really concerned about the back end. They give up a lot of explosive pass plays and stuff like that. They really try to sell out to stop the run, and that’s not really something that we’ve seen.”

“If you’re going to commit that much to stopping the run, there’s things you can do on the perimeter or through play action passing where you believe you may have an opportunity to make some plays,” says head coach Brian Wright on facing an aggressive UIndy front.

“I think it starts with dominating the line of scrimmage,” Woodruff adds, “They have a good defense and good linebackers. They blitz a lot. They play heavy run a lot. It just starts with dominating the line of scrimmage and letting our playmakers make plays.”

Saturday’s game will be Pitt State’s first appearance in the playoffs since 2014.

The Gorillas lack playoff experience – but they’re excited for the opportunity they have ahead of them – and happy to bring playoff football back to Pittsburg.

“It feels good to bring back what they expect,” Woodruff says on earning a home playoff game in front of Gorilla fans, “The standard is the standard. This is what we came here for. We came here to play in games like this. It feels good to be back at this point, but we’re not done yet.”

“It means a lot. I’m glad we could do it for our seniors this year,” says Pitt State LB Dubem Okonkwo, “Guys like PJ Sarwinski, Morgan Selemaea, Brandon Mlekus and Zeke Wall. The fact we get to do it with them…they came back another year and they put their jobs on hold and came back for us. It means a lot and I’m glad we could do it for them this year.”

“There’s nothing quite like The Jungle,” Woodruff finishes, “My opportunities are limited to play here. Any opportunity I have to play here, I’m excited about it and I’m ready to go.”

Kickoff for Saturday’s game is at 1 PM at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg.

 

Pitt State’s Wright named MIAA Coach of the Year; Katsis earns Freshman of the Year

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Pitt State HC Brian Wright has been named the MIAA Coach of the Year.

Wright led the Gorillas to an 11-0 record in the regular season and the MIAA conference championship. It’s Pitt State’s first MIAA title since 2014, and their first undefeated season since 2004. The Gorillas have earned the #3 seed in Super Region 3 and will host UIndy in the first round of the Division II playoffs on Saturday at 1 PM.

PSU freshman WR/KR Kolbe Katsis is the MIAA Freshman of the Year. Katsis racked up 450 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns this season. He also averaged 28.1 yards per kick return.

In total, 18 Pitt State football players earned All-MIAA recognition on Tuesday – including 8 1st team All-MIAA selections.

RELEASE FROM PITTSBURG STATE ATHLETICS:

Eighteen members of the Pittsburg State University football team earned All-MIAA honors Tuesday (Nov. 15) following a vote of the conference head coaches.

Additionally, head coach Brian Wright was selected the 2022 MIAA Coach of the Year and wide receiver/return specialist Kolbe Katsis was named the MIAA Freshman of the Year.

Eight Gorillas were named to the first-team All-MIAA squad: junior tight end Devon Garrison, junior offensive lineman Trase Jeffries, sophomore running back Caleb Lewis, graduate safety Brandon Mlekus, senior wide receiver Bryce Murphy, sophomore defensive lineman Dubem Okonkwo, graduate linebacker P.J. Sarwinski and senior offensive lineman Kory Woodruff.

Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Christian Carter, redshirt junior defensive back Rico Payton and graduate defensive lineman Zeke Wall garnered second team All-MIAA accolades, while sophomore quarterback Chad Dodson Jr., redshirt sophomore linebacker Alex Gaskill, Katsis, junior defensive back Michael Lacey and redshirt junior offensive linebacker Cooper Schettler were named to the third-team All-MIAA squad.

Redshirt sophomore linebacker Luke Jennings and sophomore defensive lineman Cole Sample received honorable mention All-MIAA recognition.

Garrison (Elk River, Minn.) has caught 29 passes for a team-leading 555 yards (19.14 ypc) and five touchdowns on the season, while Murphy (Neosho, Mo.) has 20 catches for 406 yards (20.3 ypc) and five scores in eight games played. Carter (Kansas City, Mo.) also has made a team-leading 39 grabs for 539 yards (13.8 ypc) and five touchdowns.

Lewis (Burleson, Texas) has carried the ball 188 times for 859 yards (4.6 ypc) and 10 touchdowns thus far.

Jeffries (Broken Arrow, Okla.) and Woodruff (Sioux City, Iowa) have helped pave the way up front for the Gorillas to average 33.5 points and 393.8 total yards per game.

Dodson (Jacksonville, Fla.) has completed 172 of 299 passes (.575) for 2,543 yards and 27 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. He also has rushed the ball for 162 net yards and a score.

Sarwinski (Galena, Kan.) has made a team-leading 74 tackles (39 solo) with 10.0 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 quarterback sacks and four pass breakups, while Okonkwo (Kansas City, Mo.) has posted 29 tackles with 12.0 TFLs, 8.5 quarterback sacks and two forced fumbles.

Mlekus (Frontenac, Kan.) has registered 59 tackles, 2.5 TFLs and two fumble recoveries, while Gaskill (Webb City, Mo.) has posted 53 stops including 9.5 TFLs and 1.5 QB sacks. Jennings (Gardner, Kan.) has made 32 tackles with 5.0 TFLs and two PBUs.

Wall (Carl Junction, Mo.) has logged 18.0 tackles, 2.0 TFLs and a fumble recovery thus far, while Sample (Jarbalo, Kan.) has made 15 stops and 2.0 TFLs on the season.
Payton (St. Louis, Mo.) has registered 11 tackles and four pass breakups on the season, while Lacey (Cleveland, Ohio) has compiled 24 tackles, six pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Katsis (Owasso, Okla.) has returned 14 kickoffs for a 28.1-yard average on the season. He also has caught 20 passes for 450 yards (22.5 ypc) and five touchdowns.

Wright has led the Gorillas to their first MIAA title since 2014 and the program’s first outright conference crown since 2011. In his third year at the helm of the Pitt State program, Wright has compiled a 21-5 (.808) overall record leading the Gorillas.

Gorillas earn #3 seed in playoffs; host UIndy in first round

PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Pittsburg State Gorillas are back in the Division II national playoffs for the first time since 2014.

The Gorillas have earned the #3 seed in Super Region 3, and will host GLVC champion UIndy in the first round on Saturday. Kickoff will be at 1 PM.

Pitt State finished the regular season with a perfect 11-0 record, winning the outright MIAA league championship. It’s their first undefeated regular season since 2004.

Pitt State finishes undefeated regular season with win over Fort Hays State

PITTSBURG, Kan. – (WATCH) #5 Pitt State tops Fort Hays State 35-14 Saturday to finish off an undefeated regular season.

The Gorillas are 11-0 heading into the Division II playoffs. The Division II playoff selection show will be on Sunday afternoon.

Gorillas aim to finish undefeated regular season against Fort Hays State

PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Pittsburg State Gorillas wrap up the regular season on Saturday, hosting the Fort Hays State Tigers.

Pitt State is 10-0 this season, after going on the road and beating Washburn last weekend 37-23. With that win, the Gorillas claimed the outright MIAA league championship.

Although they’re already conference champions, Pitt State still has plenty to play for Saturday.

With a win, they would finish off an undefeated regular season – and likely earn a home game to begin the Division II national playoffs.

“For all of us, we’ve never experienced a playoff game. A playoff game here would be incredibly special,” says safety Brandon Mlekus, “That’s plenty of motivation to keep us going.”

“We want to finish the season in a positive way for our seniors, too. It’s their last regular season home game and they’ll have their families and friends here for senior day,” says head coach Brian Wright, “We want to make sure we do it for them, and then certainly for position for the postseason as well.”

Saturday’s game kicks off at 2 PM at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg.

Jones, Buerge highlight four signees for Carl Junction signing day

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. – (WATCH) Four Carl Junction High School standouts sign Wednesday afternoon, including Destiny Buerge (Pitt State basketball) and Logan Jones (Arkansas volleyball).

Logan Jones – University of Arkansas volleyball

“I think that the culture within the athletics programs at Arkansas is something that’s just super elite, and the level of academics and resources that’s provided to athletes is just unmatched in the country. The coaches and teammates that I’ll have will be amazing, too.”

Destiny Buerge  – Pitt State basketball

“I’m excited to play with my future teammates, experience the community and just explore and figure out what I want to do in life.”

Adia Kennedy – Mid-America Nazarene volleyball

“Their coaches have really good experience. They’ve played in different countries. They’re really good coaches. I think this year they’ve gone like 27-1.”

Sadie Burchett – Central Methodist track and cross country

“They have a church on campus, and I really feel like I could get closer with my faith there.”

Brown, Myers sign at Frontenac High School

FRONTENAC, Kan. – Frontenac senior student-athletes Mia Brown and Logan Myers will continue their careers in the MIAA.

Myers signs to play baseball at Emporia State on Wednesday, while Brown signs to play volleyball for Jen Gomez and the Pittsburg State Gorillas.

“Miranda Rodriguez, the assistant coach at Pitt State, was my club coach. Pitt State wasn’t really on my radar at the time,” Brown says on the process of choosing Pitt State, “She called me and was like hey we want you to come on a visit. I was like OK, I’ll just go and see how it is. When I went there, it was completely different than what I thought and I really fell in love with it.”

“Coach Wheeler and coach Schwartz, I’ve known them since I was young,” Myers says on his choice to play at Emporia State, “I know coach Schwartz a little bit more because he was a middle infielder for my dad. I’ve gotten to take ground balls with him since I was a little kid. I think I’ve formed great relationships with them and I’m excited for it.”

Both Brown and Myers were outstanding athletes for Frontenac High School – and they’re excited to compete in one of the toughest Division II conference in the nation.

“I’m ready for the challenge. I’ve been around the league with my dad for a long time,” Myers says, “Being at Emporia State or anywhere in the MIAA, you have to bring your best every single day. It’s very hard competition every day and I’m excited for the challenge.”

“We have some very good competition in the CNC,” Brown says on how Frontenac prepared her for the college game, “College is a different level, but I think that with preparation and everything, Frontenac definitely prepared me well for it.”

Pittsburg State claims outright MIAA championship

WATCH: Pittsburg State beats Washburn 37-23 on Saturday to win the outright MIAA championship. The Gorillas are 10-0 heading into their regular season finale against Fort Hays State.