2021 MIAA Week Five

September 29th, 2021 11:00pm

2021 MIAA Week Five

Week Four was a lot of fun and Week Five is rivalry week in the MIAA. 

Washburn 47 Missouri Western 41

Do you like passing, points and more points? Then you would have loved this game. Anthony Vespo set a Missouri Western record with 448 passing yards. Mitch Schurig was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 388 yards and five touchdowns for Washburn. Washburn scored a touchdown on all four drives in the third quarter and that was the difference in this game. Great win for Washburn to keep their postseason hopes alive. Another disappointing ending for a talented Missouri Western squad.

 

Nebraska Kearney 31 Central Missouri 28

Central Missouri showed signs of life against Nebraska Kearney. Central Missouri scored on three of their first four drives with the only drive not ending in points was because of a missed field goal. Nebraska Kearney scored touchdowns on their first two drives and then the offense went dormant for the rest of the first half. Nebraska Kearney did not take their first lead of the game until 7:58 left in the game. Now Central Missouri retook the lead right away to go back up 28-24. I loved Nebraksa Kearney’s response  with a 10 play, 70 yards touchdown drive that practically ran out the clock. Gritty wins count the same as blowout wins.

 

Northwest Missouri 38 Central Oklahoma 0

Northwest Missouri might have the best defense in Division II and they played like it against Central Oklahoma. Northwest Missouri only allowed 32 yards of offense in the first half and 112 yards in the entire game. Mike Hohensee played well again and Alec Tatum was the Co-Offensive Player of the Week after a career day with 11 receptions 205 yards and two touchdowns. 

 

Northeastern State 49 Lincoln 48 OT

This was a fun game. Can you believe this was a 13-7 lead at halftime for Lincoln? Both teams combined for seven touchdowns and 50 points in the third quarter, including 36 points in the last five minutes of the quarter. Northeastern State had a chance to win in regulation but the 25 yard field goal was blocked by Lincoln/s TeAndre Skinner. Lincoln scored first in overtime but missed the extra point attempt. Northeastern State was able to score and make the extra point for the walkoff win. Northeastern State is a .500 team for now so that is fun.

 

Fort Hays 42 Missouri Southern 21

Fort Hays was up 35-7 at halftime and cruised to a win. Shoutout to Adrian Soto on a tremendous rushing performance for Fort Hays with 17 carries for 198 yards and two touchdowns.

 

Pittsburg State 30 Emporia State 28

Emporia State is a tough team to put away but Pittsburg State survived to advance to 3-1 on the year. Pittsburg State was up by two scores at three different times of the game. 

 

Last week: 6-0

Season: 16-7

 

MIAA Week Five Power Rankings

  1. Northwest Missouri State --

  2. Nebraska Kearney --

  3. Washburn --

  4. Pittsburg State --

  5. Missouri Western --

  6. Fort Hays State --

  7. Emporia State --

  8. Central Missouri --

  9. Central Oklahoma --

  10. Northeastern State --

  11. Missouri Southern --

  12. Lincoln --

 

Week Five Games

Turnpike Tussle: Washburn (3-1) at Emporia State (2-2)

Saturday, 1pm

All-time: Emporia State leads 57-53-6

2019: Washburn won 37-17

                               Washburn    Emporia State

Points Scored             44.0             33.5

Points Allowed            22.8             24.0

Pass Yards                290.8            331.0

Pass Yards Allowed    235.5            226.8

Rush Yards                190.5            124.5

Rush Yards Allowed    127.5            99.5

Total Offense             481.3            455.5

Total Defense            363.0            326.3

Washburn is going to be in for another shootout. Emporia State is a team that is hard to put away on a normal Saturday, let alone when they are facing their biggest rival. As much as I like Braden Gleason and the Emporia State offense, I trust  Mitch Schurig as well as the Washburn defense a little more.

Washburn 38 Missouri Western 35

 

Pittsburg State (3-1) at Missouri Southern (1-3)

Saturday, 2pm

All-time: Pittsburg State leads 42-9-1

2019: Pittsburg State won 65-6

                             Pittsburg State    Missouri Southern

Points Scored             32.5                13.0

Points Allowed            21.3                27.8

Pass Yards                 256.8              162.0

Pass Yards Allowed     256.8              166.5

Rush Yards                 161.0              126.3

Rush Yards Allowed     138.5              238.0

Total Offense              417.8              288.3

Total Defense              395.3              404.5

Missouri Southern’s offense lacks the pop to keep pace with Mak Sexton and the Pittsburg State offense. Pittsburg State’s defense does look improved this year and I expect a big game out of that unit against their rival across the state line. Pittsburg State should cruise to 4-1.

Pittsburg State 34 Missouri Southern 17

 

Lincoln (0-3) at Central Oklahoma (1-3) 

Saturday, 2pm

All-time: Central Oklahoma leads 3-0

2019: Central Oklahoma won 63-0

                              Lincoln    Central Oklahoma

Points Scored            20.0            13.8

Points Allowed           65.7            25.8

Pass Yards               266.0           147.5

Pass Yards Allowed   287.3           239.0

Rush Yards               65.7            107.0

Rush Yards Allowed   271.7           149.5

Total Offense            331.7            254.5

Total Defense           559.0            388.5

Despite Central Oklahoma’s offensive woes the last two weeks, 10 total points scored. I do not expect a team coached by Nick Bobeck to continue to struggle to score points. As impressive as Lincoln was in last week’s loss, it was still against Northeastern State. Central Oklahoma has not scored 30 points yet this year, that changes Saturday. Also, Lincoln has never beaten Central Oklahoma and that streak continues.

Central Oklahoma 31 Lincoln 23

 

Central Missouri (0-4) at Northeastern State (2-2)

Saturday, 2pm

All-time: Central Missouri leads 7-1

2019: Central Missouri won 70-7

                           Central Missouri     Northeastern State

Points Scored               15.3                22.5

Points Allowed              35.5                37.8

Pass Yards                  262.8              177.0

Pass Yards Allowed      246.3              319.5

Rush Yards                  111.0              142.0

Rush Yards Allowed      235.0             162.0

Total Offense               373.8             319.0

Total Defense              481.3              481.5

It is not everyday that a winless team goes on the road against a .500 team and is the favorite. However, Central Missouri has lost to the best four teams in the MIAA while Northeastern has beaten Missouri Southern and Lincoln. Logan Twehous jump started the Central Missouri offense last week. I expect that to continue this week and for Central Missouri to put a terrible September behind them.

Central Missouri 41 Northeastern State 13

 

Game of the Week: #4 Northwest Missouri (3-0) at Missouri Western (2-2)

Saturday, 6pm

All-time: Northwest Missouri leads 28-13

2019: Northwest Missouri won 45-35

                             Northwest Missouri  Missouri Western        

Points Scored                 33.3                     33.0

Points Allowed                 4.7                      36.0  

Pass Yards                    225.0                   330.3         

Pass Yards Allowed        239.0                   294.7

Rush Yards                    233.0                   136.0

Rush Yards Allowed        41.3                    148.0  

Total Offense                 458.0                  466.3

Total Defense                280.3                   442.7

I expect a sold out crowd at Spratt Stadium under the lights. Black and gold on one side and green on the other. Missouri Western lives on big plays on offense and turnovers on defense. It makes them inconsistent from drive to drive and quarter to quarter. On the other sideline, Northwest Missouri is led by the best scoring defense in Division II and an improving offense. I give Missouri Western a slight advantage on offense but a huge advantage to the Northwest Missouri defense. Northwest Missouri has not allowed any points in the first half or fourth quarter this season. Missouri Western scores all 17 in the third quarter but Northwest Missouri cruises to a win.

Northwest Missouri 34 Missouri Western 17

 

#15 Nebraska Kearney (4-0) at Fort Hays (2-2)

Saturday, 7pm

All-time: Nebraska Kearney leads 34-31-1

2019: Fort Hays won 37-31

                Nebraska Kearney    Fort Hays

Points Scored                           31.3            38.0

Points Allowed                          17.3            18.5

Pass Yards                              200.0           317.8

Pass Yards Allowed                  218.8            193.5

Rush Yards                             272.8            179.0

Rush Yards Allowed                 139.5            136.5

Total Offense                          472.8            496.8

Total Defense                          358.3            330.0

Fort Hays has righted the ship over the last two weeks against inferior opponents but the passing attack still has not found its groove in 2021. On the other side, Nebraska Kearney is looking to keep their perfect season intact. I believe last week was a wake up call for Nebraska Kearney. Styles make fights in the MIAA in 2021 and Nebraska Kearney will bring their A game to Hays on Saturday. TJ Davis runs wild again.

Nebraska Kearney 30 Fort Hays 24