Pitt State climbs into top-20 in national rankings

PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Pittsburg State Gorillas are back in the national rankings.

Pitt State has moved from unranked to #16 in the country in this week’s AFCA Division II poll released on Monday morning. The Gorillas are 2-0 to start the season, after going on the road and beating #11 Nebraska-Kearney last Thursday.

The only other MIAA team in the AFCA Division II national rankings is Northwest Missouri State (2-0). The Bearcats remain at #2 in this week’s poll.

Washburn, Nebraska-Kearney and Missouri Western all received votes in this week’s poll, but are outside of the top-25.

Pittsburg State plays at home on Saturday evening, hosting Northeastern State in their annual “Family Day” game.

Murphy’s late touchdown lifts Pitt State over #11 Nebraska-Kearney

KEARNEY, Neb. – Bryce Murphy had a big season opener for Pitt State last week, racking up 112 yards and 2 touchdowns in the team’s 21-10 win over Central Missouri.

Somehow, he found a way to top it Thursday night against #11 Nebraska-Kearney.

Murphy got loose for a 72-yard touchdown with 12 seconds remaining – breaking a 28-28 tie and giving Pitt State a 35-28 win over the Lopers. He finished the game with 6 receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown.

The Neosho product wasn’t the only wide receiver who came up big for Pitt State Thursday night. Devon Garrison added 5 catches for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns, while speedster Christian Carter caught 4 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Chad Dodson had a massive night for PSU, going 20-29 passing for 301 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was also the team’s leading rusher with 57 yards on the ground.

Caleb Lewis carried the ball 12 times for 23 yards and a score for Pitt State.

Defensively, Morgan Selemaea and Zeke Wall tied for the team lead with 10 tackles each. PJ Sarwinski added 9 tackles.

The Gorillas are now 2-0 this season, and will be at home for “Family Day” on September 17th against Northeastern State.

Dodson, Murphy shine in Pitt State’s win over Central Missouri

PITTSBURG, Kan. (WATCH) Pitt State tops Central Missouri 21-10 in their season opener Thursday night.

QB Chad Dodson, Jr. throws for 387 yards and 3 touchdowns, while WR Bryce Murphy catches 3 passes for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The Gorillas go on the road next week to face #14 Nebraska-Kearney.

Gorillas prepare for Thursday’s season opener against Central Missouri

PITTSBURG, Kan. – (WATCH) Linebacker PJ Sarwinski, receiver Elijah Harris and head coach Brian Wright talk about Pitt State’s season opener against Central Missouri.

The Gorillas host the Mules at 7 PM Thursday night.

Former Pitt State standout Dallis Flowers makes Colts roster

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Former Pittsburg State standout Dallis Flowers has earned his spot on an NFL roster.

Flowers has been named to the 53-man active roster for the Indianapolis Colts – after the team made its final round of cuts Tuesday ahead of the NFL’s deadline to reduce rosters to 53 players. Flowers is expected to serve as both a cornerback and kick returner for Indianapolis.

The former Gorilla signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent back in May, after playing one full season with Pittsburg State.

The 6-2, 190 lb Flowers was a 1st team All-MIAA selection as a defensive back and a 2nd team All-MIAA selection as a kick returner last fall. He finished with 21 tackles and a team-high 4 interceptions. He also had two kick return touchdowns for the Gorillas and averaged 33.7 yards per kickoff return – setting a new Pitt State record and breaking the previous record held by former PSU All-American John Brown.

He finished his career with Pitt State after being a 2X NAIA All-American with the Grand View Vikings in Des Moines, Iowa.

Sophomore QB Dodson returns to lead Pitt State offense

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Pittsburg State football is in the middle of their first week of fall camp.

This season, the Gorillas open camp with Chad Dodson, Jr. on top of the quarterback depth chart.

The sophomore QB appeared in five games last season, throwing for 599 yards and 7 touchdowns. He got his lone start of the season in the 2021 finale for the Gorillas on the road against Fort Hays State, throwing for 294 yards and 3 touchdowns in the team’s 34-24 win over the Tigers.

“I just think the biggest jump will be speed of play and how quickly he’s making his decisions and his comfort level in the pocket,” says head coach Brian Wright, “When he first got in there last year he was a little antsy back there in the pocket. Now he’s a lot more comfortable. I’d like to see him progress at that. He continues to get the ball out quicker and quicker and make good decisions.”

“The biggest growth I’ve seen in Chad is his leadership this off-season,” says offensive lineman Trase Jeffries, “Getting in those two games at the end of last year when he did, I think it helped his confidence a lot. I think Chad Dodson is going to be a really dangerous quarterback. He’s a smart guy and I see him working hard every day.”

Pitt State opens the season on September 1st, at home against Central Missouri.

Pitt State offensive line aims for big season in 2022

PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Pittsburg State Gorillas opened fall camp Monday morning.

The Gorillas return five offensive linemen from last season, including 1st team All-MIAA pick Trase Jeffries and Honorable Mention All-MIAA picks Kory Woodruff and Tiley Teutcsch.

“It’s pretty scary returning all five guys back,” Jeffries says, “We had three All-MIAA guys and we’re looking to get all five on the board. I think we can be a great group, as long as we just build off what we did last year.”

“I’m really impressed with our offensive line and their commitment to getting better this summer,” says Pitt State head coach Brian Wright, “They worked extremely hard in the weight room. All of those guys stayed this summer and made most all of the workouts in there. I’m just so impressed with how they’ve come together.”

Pitt State to get first officially licensed beer

Pittsburg, Ks. – With just over ten universities around the country with an officially licensed beer– Pitt State joins this group with their first officially licensed beer the “Golden Gorilla Ale”.

The beer comes from a partnership with Pittsburg brewery– The Jolly Fox Brewery.

KOAM’s Jaylon Banks caught up the Brewery’s CEO– Joel Stewart on the partnership.

“Just to create something unique for Pittsburgh. It creates a great community environment and it’s enjoyable for everyone,” says Stewart.

When asked how the beverage is specific to the Gorillas– this is what he had to say; “A golden ale was the most opportune thing to brew. It’s just easy drinking beer that’s not bitter. It’s not overly flavorful. It’s very balanced.”

MEDIA DAY NOTES: Pitt State motivated heading into 2022 season

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Pittsburg State Gorillas were represented by head coach Brian Wright, linebacker PJ Sarwinski and offensive lineman Kory Woodruff Tuesday at MIAA Football Media Day in Kansas City.

The Gorillas were picked #3 in the MIAA preseason poll after going 8-3 overall last season. They’ll open the season on September 1st, hosting Central Missouri.

Here are some notes from the team’s time taking questions from the media Tuesday afternoon.

ON LAST SEASON:

(Wright) “We’re excited about this season. We’re certainly building off a good season, but not a great season. Last season wasn’t up to our standards. We played good football, good enough to win eight games, but that’s not the goal at Pittsburg State. That’s not what these guys work for. We’ve talked about closing the gap this off-season, and our guys have worked to do that. I’m excited to kick off the season.”

(Sarwinski) “We played good football, but it wasn’t up to our expectations. We lose three close games last year. We started this spring to move things in the right direction. We’ve had a lot of guys show up and work hard this summer, and we’re excited about the season.”

(Woodruff) “Going 8-3 last season isn’t what we wanted to do, but it propelled us to have a good summer. When the time comes, we’ll be ready.”

WRIGHT ON GOING 8-3 IN FIRST FULL SEASON:

(Wright) “The day after the Fort Hays State game last year, I felt like this staff and this team really committed to coming together to figure out how we can finish in a better way…It’s been so much fun to be around this group. We have a lot of great people in this organization who are committed to each other and are committed to getting better. In the end-of-season meetings it was fun to get with the guys and talk about where we needed to go and what the solutions were. Now they’re putting those words into action. These captains have put it in their hands to find the things we need to do to get better and have more success than last year.”

ON WHAT TEAM HAS SHOWN THIS OFF-SEASON:

(Wright) “We talked about taking the off-season to another level. I watched our guys do that in the winter and the spring. Then we talked about spring practice and how we handle meetings and practice, and they also took that to another level. We’re not allowed to do much with them in the summer, but I get to see all of these guys and they’re coming in and asking how they can lead their position groups or what they can do on their own to get better. They’re taking the necessary steps to improve.”

ON MOTIVATION FOR THE 2022 SEASON:

(Sarwinski) “I think a big motivator for us is just that we get to play the game of football. It’s a fresh year and we’re all excited for the opportunity. I have fait in our guys and we’re going to have a lot of energy and be prepared for every game.”

(Woodruff) “That 8-3 record last year left a sour taste in our mouths. Coming into the summer, we knew what we had to do…and when the time comes, we’ll be ready.”

WRIGHT ON THE SELECTION OF CAPTAINS:

(Wright) “At the end of the spring, I sat down with each player individually. At the end of each of those meetings, I had them select who they thought the captains should be. I wanted to do more than just put up a vote. We got to talk about it and talk through why they picked the players they picked. I got every players vote, and we did the same thing as a coaching staff. For the first time for me, we picked captains at the beginning of the summer. I wanted those guys to have a hands-on approach with our football team. I think we set a college record for number of captains with eight. I thought it was a good program to have, that we have so many guys our players view as leaders – and honestly there were probably a couple more who deserved it as well.”

ON RETURNING MULTIPLE VETERANS AND ALL-MIAA PLAYERS:

(Wright) “Any time you do that it’s a positive thing, especially at key positions. We bring a lot back, but each year presents new things and each year you have different situations. We’ll take those on as they come, but it certainly feels good to bring back the guys we’re bringing back.”

(Sarwinski) “The guys I’m playing with on defense, I wouldn’t want to play with anybody else. The trust and the confidence that I have in those guys is top-tier. I’ve never played in a sport or on a team where I’ve had this feeling. I’m very confident in our guys.”

WOODRUFF ON BEING A LEADER ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE:

(Woodruff) “Last year I came in and everything was new. I feel like the MIAA didn’t really get to see the best version of me. As we get rolling, people are going to realize how good I am.”

WRIGHT ON SARWINSKI AND WOODRUFF AS LEADERS:

(Wright) “When you look at leadership, you look at preparation. These guys prepare as well as anyone on our football team. Then you look at performance. These guys perform as well as anyone on our football team. Kory had a good year last year, but we know we haven’t seen the best version yet. You look at PJ – from walking on to this team, to earning a scholarship, becoming an All-American and then being voted as a captain. What a model that is to our program and our community, to see that hard work pays off if you stick to something and work hard and have a great attitude. PJ is a testament to that.”

SARWINSKI ON LOCAL FANS, BEING A LOCAL KID:

(Sarwinski) “We do the Gorilla Walk every home game. I see the kids and I think of myself. I think of a kid from Galena, Baxter Springs, Girard, Pittsburg or wherever…who wants to grow up and be a Gorilla. It’s so surreal, and it’s a dream come true to be where I’m at.”

WRIGHT FINAL STATEMENT:

(Wright) “We’re excited to get started. Myself and this staff have been chomping at the bit to get back to working with these guys. This group is eager and they’ve been committed to doing what we’re asking them to do. It’s always an exciting time when we get back in the meeting room together and get on the field together and start working. That process and that journey is the most rewarding thing as a coach.”