Football | 8/27/2012 4:19:05 PM
Complete Release in PDF
Kansas City, Mo. -- Fourteen of the 15 MIAA teams will open the season with conference match-ups as MIAA football gets underway on Aug. 30, 2012 with 6 p.m. kickoffs.
#1 Pittsburg State at Northeastern State
The Gorillas will begin their national title defense on the road against conference newcomer Northeastern State, who played in last year’s mineral water bowl. PSU comes into the game after leading the MIAA in defense last season allowing only 308.9 yards and 20.1 points per game last season. Johnny Deaton, quarterback for the Riverhawks, returns the second most passing yards of any MIAA quarterback after throwing for 2,520 yards and 26 touchdowns last year. He must overcome one of the toughest pass defenses in the league as Pittsburg State allowed just 192.8 yards through the air and had a league leading 26 interceptions. On offense the Gorillas must replace quarterback Zac Dickey who helped them to have the top rushing offense in the MIAA a season ago. On the defensive side of the ball for the Riverhawks they return eight members of what would have been the leagues second best pass defense.
Truman at Southwest Baptist
Southwest Baptist will make their return to MIAA football at home as they face Truman in both team’s season opener. The two teams will be facing each other for the second straight game though they come months apart after Truman defeated Southwest Baptist 24-8 to end the 2011 season. This will be the 23rd meeting between the two teams with TSU holding the overall series record 19-4 and have won nine of the last ten meetings. On offense the Bulldogs must replace J.B. Clark under center but return Dallas Grier who had 47 catches for 599 yards last season. On defense leading tackler Richie Schumacher returns after making 130 tackles last season which ranked second in the MIAA. The Bearcats will look to returning quarterback Dan Conners on offense after he threw for 2,179 yards and 14 TD’s last year. On defense Chris Muhammad will anchor the secondary.
Nebraska-Kearney at #20 Washburn
Two NCAA Division II Playoff teams will face off under the lights in Topeka, Kan. as league newcomer Nebraska-Kearney takes on #20 Washburn. Both teams lost to the two eventual national championship teams as Nebraska-Kearney fell to Wayne State (MI) in the playoffs and Washburn lost to eventual National Champion Pittsburg State. This will be the first meeting between the teams since 1988 with UNK leading the series 14-6-0. Both teams must replace Harlan Hill candidates at quarterback, WU’s top offensive returner is Dejaun Beard who made 62 catches for 1,029 yards while UNK returns Tommy Flanagan who caught 45 passes for 704 yards. On defense the Ichabods return Jamill Taylor who had 112 tackles (9.5 for loss) while the Lopers return Sam Kuck who had 76 tackles and three interceptions.
Central Missouri at #18 Missouri Western
Two teams who made trips to the post-season last year will face off in St. Joseph, Mo. as #18 Missouri Western who made the NCAA Division II Playoffs will take on Kanza Bowl participant Central Missouri. MWSU leads the overall series 14-13-1 and are 7-6-1 when playing at their home stadium. The Griffons return the MIAA’s leading rusher on offense in Michael Hill who ran for 1,305 yards last season and 12 touchdowns. On defense they return All-American David Bass who led the MIAA with 14.5 sacks and had 20 tackles for a loss. Central Missouri returns one the of league’s best tight ends in David Cannon who caught 60 passes for 810 yards and nine touchdowns. On defense Patrick Lewis had 104 tackles to lead the Mules secondary.
Fort Hays State at Emporia State
Emporia State and Fort Hays State will face off for the second straight time in the season opener after the Tigers defeated the Hornets 27-17 in the 2011 kickoff in Hays. Fort Hays State will, however, be looking for their first win in Welch Stadium since the 2000 season. The Tigers have won five straight season openers while the Hornet are 4-1 in their last five openers. ESU leads the overall series 49-34-2 as the two teams face off for the 86th time. On offense the Hornets return the league’s leading passer in quarterback Tyler Eckenrode while the Tigers bring back running back tandem Andre and Edward Smith. On defense ESU features Pre-Season All-American Derek Lohmann who led the league with eight interceptions while FHSU brings back Kyle Perry who had 6.5 sacks on the defensive line.
Missouri Southern at Central Oklahoma
Missouri Southern will welcome Central Oklahoma to the MIAA as the two teams face off in the season opener from Edmond, Okla. Both teams will be lead onto the field by first year head coaches as Darryl Day takes over the helm for the Lions and Nick Bobeck enters his first season with Bronchos. On offense the Lions return wide receiver Landon Zerkel who led the league in receiving yards per game. On defense they return Brandon Williams who was 13th in the nation in tackles for a loss. For the Bronchos Joshua Birmingham returns to the UCO running game. On defense Sam Moses had 68 tackles last year including nine tackles for a loss.
East Central at #3 Northwest MIssouri
Northwest Missouri will put their #3 ranking on the line as they are the only MIAA team stepping out of the conference this week. They will face East Central who finished 8-3 and in third place in the Great American Conference last season. Northwest Missouri enters the 2012 campaign after falling to eventual National Champion Pittsburg State in the regional final in 2011. They return quarterback Trevor Adams who threw for 2,202 yards last season and 21 touchdowns. Collin DeBuysere led the team with 73 tackles in the defensive backfield. The Tigers averaged 392.1 yards per game on offense and allowed an average of 329.7 yards on defense last season.
Lindenwood at Lincoln
Lindenwood will open both their NCAA and MIAA campaigns in the only Saturday game on the docket when they travel to Lincoln. The Lions went 8-3 last season and went 1-1 against current MIAA opponents during the 2011 campaign. The two teams will be facing each other for the first time when they meet on Sept. 1. Lindenwood’s top returner on offense is Andrew Helmick who caught 56 passes for 901 yards and 12 touchdowns. Cody Fogle led the team with 65 tackles and two fumble recoveries. For the Blue Tigers Deon Brock returns at running back after carrying 115 times for 509 yards last year. Herman Hopson had 75 tackles and two interceptions at free safety last year.
BEST OF THE BEST
The MIAA is the best football conference is the nation as they are the only league with four teams ranked in the American Football Coaches Association. They are also the only conference with two teams ranked in the top five as defending National Champion Pittsburg State is ranked #1 and Northwest Missouri is ranked #3. They had five current members make the NCAA Division II National Playoffs last year in Northwest Missouri, Nebraska-Kearney, Washburn, Pittsburg State and Missouri Western. Seven teams in total that are members of the MIAA played in a post-season game last year. Only the MIAA and NSIC has seven total teams ranked between the AFCA an AVCA polls.
THE NEWBIES
This will mark the first competition in the MIAA for four school as Central Oklahoma, Lindenwood, Nebraska-Kearney and Northeastern State will all play their first football games as members of the MIAA. Southwest Baptist will also play their first MIAA game in four years as they rejoin the MIAA as a football school.
MIAA BROADCASTING NETWORK
The MIAA enters year three partnered with Kansas City-based Niles Media Group to showcase the MIAA Broadcasting Network. The schedule for the 2012 season includes the following matchups:
2011 MIAA Football Television Schedule
September 8: Central Oklahoma at Pittsburg State, 6:00pm
September 15: Nebraska-Kearney at Missouri Western, 6:00pm
September 22: Washburn at Central Oklahoma, 2:30pm
September 29: Northeastern State at Northwest Missouri, 2:30pm
October 6: Truman at Nebraska-Kearney, 2:30pm
October 13: Fort Hays State at Southwest Baptist, 2:30pm
October 20: Lincoln at Fort Hays State, 2:30pm
October 25: Missouri Western at Emporia State, 6:00 pm
October 27: Missouri Southern at Lindenwood, 2:30pm
November 3: TBA, 2:30pm
November 10: TBA, 2:30pm
MIAA FOOTBALL ON AMERICA ONE
All MIAA conference football games and select non-conference games can be watched live on America One, the exclusive home for broadband broadcasts of all MIAA athletics.