2021 MIAA Week Six Preview

October 6th, 2021 7:00pm

What a fun week in the MIAA. I saw an incomplete pass ruled a defensive touchdown, a 21 point comeback and a couple weird rivalry games. Let’s dive into last week and look ahead to week six.

Northwest Missouri 30 Missouri Western 7

Northwest Missouri dominated this game from start to finish. The only thing that went right for Missouri Western was the worst officiating call I have seen in person. First drive of the game, Mike Hohensee dropped back to pass for Northwest Missouri. Hohensee threw the football and it hit the back of the helmet of one of his lineman. Missouri Western scoops up the loose football and ran it back for a 56 yard touchdown. Did I mention that Hohensee threw the ball? Well I guess Dwight Neibling’s crew missed it too because it was ruled a fumble and a touchdown, 7-0 Missouri Western. It was all Northwest Missouri the rest of the way. The defense allowed 101 yards of offense, Al McKeller ran wild for 171 yards and two touchdowns, and Imoni Donadelle had his first big game of the season with 3 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. Missouri Western continues to be a little brother to their rivals up Highway 71. Northwest Missouri even had a bigger crowd than the home team did.

Fort Hays 42 Nebraska Kearney 35

I am not sure whether to credit Fort Hays for a tremendous comeback or to rip Nebraska Kearney for blowing not one, but two 21 point leads. First, credit to Fort Hays for the resilience to continue to fight back against one of the most talented teams in the country. Chance Fuller and the Fort Hays offense attacked the secondary of Nebraska Kearney in the second half with a purpose. Chunk play after chunk play. Scoring 42 points in a half is an impressive feat, including 28 points over the last 17 minutes of the game. Now for Nebraska Kearney. How does this game happen? I knew the defense was not great but I did not know it was the Kansas City Chiefs defense bad. Turns out the only thing that can beat TJ Davis is his own defense.

Emporia State 35 Washburn 30

Do not let the final score fool you, Emporia State dominated this game. Emporia State was up 35-10 with 12 minutes left when Washburn made their push. Mitch Schurig threw three fourth quarter touchdowns but the last one came with 29 seconds left. Washburn ran out of time to complete the second big comeback of the day. Washburn had no business winning this game though, you cannot lose the turnover battle five to zero and expect to win a road game in the MIAA. Bravo to Emporia State for winning the Turnpike Tussle.

Pittsburg State 20 Missouri Southern 16

Is Missouri Southern’s defense improved or did Pittsburg State’s offense just lay an egg? Weird things happen in rivalry games and that is what I am chalking this game up to. That being said, Missouri Southern did upset Central Oklahoma a few weeks ago and have been more competitive this season.

Central Missouri 41 Northeastern State 10

Central Missouri is so glad October came. Logan Twehous is the man for Central Missouri at quarterback after throwing for 405 yards and five touchdowns while winning offensive player of the week. Back to the drawing board for Northeastern State.

Central Oklahoma 69 Lincoln 28

The Central Oklahoma offense finally made an appearance this year. Three players ran for over 80 yards and Central Oklahoma put up nearly 600 yards of offense. Let’s see if they can build off this performance. Lincoln has to fix that run defense, it is like swiss cheese right now.

Last week: 4-2

Season: 20-9

MIAA Week Six Power Rankings

Northwest Missouri State --
Nebraska Kearney --
Pittsburg State +1
Fort Hays State +2
Washburn -2
Missouri Western -1
Emporia State --
Central Missouri --
Central Oklahoma --
Northeastern State --
Missouri Southern --
Lincoln --

Week Six Games

Central Oklahoma (2-3) at Northeastern State (2-3)

Thursday, 7pm

All-time: Central Oklahoma leads 50-27-2

2019: Central Oklahoma won 82-14

	Central Oklahoma	Northeastern State
Points Scored	24.8	20.0
Points Allowed	26.2	38.4
Pass Yards	168.2	205.2
Pass Yards Allowed	227.4	335.6
Rush Yards	153.4	120.2
Rush Yards Allowed	166.8	162.4
Total Offense	321.6	325.4
Total Defense	394.2	498.0

The rivalry between the two Oklahoma schools in the MIAA will be on a Thursday night. This is unique for a week six game in the MIAA but I like it. It puts this unique rivalry on it’s own with a little spotlight that it would not receive on a Saturday. That being said, Central Oklahoma should win this game. The offense should be back on track after last week.

Central Oklahoma 27 Northeastern State 20

Fort Hays (3-2) at Washburn (3-2)

Saturday, 1pm

All-time: Washburn leads 44-27-3

2019: Fort Hays won 41-38 OT

	Fort Hays	Washburn
Points Scored	38.8	41.2
Points Allowed	21.8	25.2
Pass Yards	329.4	314.6
Pass Yards Allowed	195.2	226.0
Rush Yards	184.4	174.2
Rush Yards Allowed	164.0	123.8
Total Offense	513.8	488.8
Total Defense	359.2	349.8

Both of these teams made big comebacks last week, but only Fort Hays came away with a win. Chance Fuller and Mitch Schurig are two of the best passers in the MIAA and should put on a show in Topeka. Both teams are in the top 10 in total offense in all of Division II. Fort Hays has righted the ship after an 0-2 start. They went toe to toe with a top 25 team last week and won. Fort Hays has won the last three games in this series. I believe that streak will continue Saturday.

Fort Hays 38 Washburn 35

Emporia State (3-2) at Central Missouri (1-4)

Saturday, 1pm

All-time: Central Missouri leads 41-20-4

2019: Central Missouri won 34-27

	Emporia State	Central Missouri
Points Scored	33.8	20.4
Points Allowed	25.2	30.4
Pass Yards	300.4	291.2
Pass Yards Allowed	266.6	260.8
Rush Yards	121.4	121.6
Rush Yards Allowed	101.4	194.6
Total Offense	421.8	412.8
Total Defense	368.0	455.4

As much as I want to believe Central Missouri will start a winning streak and crawl back to .500, Emporia State is playing good football right now. Emporia State has lost a couple close football games but have been super competitive this year. Central Missouri got rolled the first three weeks before pushing Nebraska Kearney to the brink and rolling Northeastern State last week. I trust Braden Gleason and Emporia State more than I do Logan Twehous and Central Missouri right now.

Emporia State 31 Central Missouri 28

Pittsburg State (4-1) at #4 Northwest Missouri (4-0)

Saturday, 1:30pm

All-time: Northwest Missouri leads 28-25

2019: Northwest Missouri won 28-17

	Pittsburg State	Northwest Missouri
Points Scored	30.0	32.5
Points Allowed	20.2	5.25
Pass Yards	258.0	227.2
Pass Yards Allowed	237.4	202.5
Rush Yards	151.2	223.0
Rush Yards Allowed	135.6	33.0
Total Offense	409.2	450.2
Total Defense	373.0	235.5

First of all, I wish this game was being played at the best place on Earth: Arrowhead Stadium. The Fall Classic is my favorite MIAA tradition and it is disappointing that it did not happen this year. That being said, Maryville is a great consolation prize and Bearcat Stadium will be rocking on Saturday. I expect Mike Hohensee to play and play well for Northwest Missouri against Pittsburg State. The big difference in this game is the Northwest Missouri defense. It is the best defense in Division II. I repeat, the best defense in Division II. Al McKeller is not too shabby either.

Northwest Missouri 27 Pittsburg State 6

Missouri Western (2-3) at #24 Nebraska Kearney (4-1)

Saturday, 2pm

All-time: Nebraska Kearney leads 18-12

2019: Nebraska Kearney won 49-21

	Missouri Western	Nebraska Kearney
Points Scored	28.8	32.0
Points Allowed	33.8	22.2
Pass Yards	277.4	200.8
Pass Yards Allowed	321.4	247.2
Rush Yards	126.2	272.6
Rush Yards Allowed	144.2	152.8
Total Offense	403.6	473.4
Total Defense	465.6	400.0

Missouri Western had a rough game offensively last week but they will bounce back this week. Can they stop TJ Davis and the Nebraska Kearney rushing attack. I doubt it. That means points, and a lot of them. In the end, I do not believe Nebraska Kearney is going to lose back-to-back games. The Nebraska Kearney offensive line is bigger and slightly better at run blocking than the line Missouri Western struggled with last week. TJ Davis to the moon.

Nebraska Kearney 34 Missouri Western 30

Missouri Southern (1-4) at Lincoln (0-4)

Saturday, 2pm

All-time: Missouri Southern leads 9-2

2019: Missouri Southern won 38-14

	Missouri Southern	Lincoln
Points Scored	13.6	22.0
Points Allowed	26.2	66.5
Pass Yards	161.8	244.8
Pass Yards Allowed	182.4	278.2
Rush Yards	125.8	108.2
Rush Yards Allowed	213.4	288.2
Total Offense	287.6	353.0
Total Defense	395.8	566.5

Missouri Southern has a defense and Lincoln does not. Lincoln actually has the worst defense in Division II in total defense by 15 yards per game. Lincoln also has the worst scoring defense in Division II by 14 points per game. I expect weird things to happen in this game but Missouri Southern wins a close one.

Missouri Southern 31 Lincoln 27