Pitt State goes on road for Southwest Baptist

Despite Pittsburg State owning a 19-0 all-time series edge over Southwest Baptist and the Bearcats having an 0-2 record, those facts do not enter head coach Tim Beck’s mind when it comes to game preparation for the Bearcats.

“I've been to Southwest Baptist several times and we've played them here when we've had National Championship-caliber teams and had to fight tooth-and-nail to win it at the end,” Beck said. “So, we try and look at every game the same. I think it's easier as coaches maybe as players but that's our intentions and that's our message to our players. We've got to prepare the same every week.

“We haven't ever lost to them but again, what's happened in the past doesn't have any bearing on what's going to happen this year or any in the future. So, as you watch their team, they've got 33 or 34 transfers on their team from all over the country. They've got some athletes. Defensively, there's a couple guys that stand out. Their linebackers are good players. . . . They're going to bring some inside blitz, some outside blitz, some combination of both. They're not afraid to play man coverage on you and get up and get in your face. They show some athleticism.”

Pitt State and Southwest Baptist last played in football in 2007 and none of the players on the 2012 rosters of either team played in that game. In fact, senior running back Jason Spradling thanked a reporter for making him even aware of the 19-0 all-time series edge for the Gorillas, before he went on to say that it doesn’t matter on gameday.

Being outscored 12-10 in the second half by Central Oklahoma last week at Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium perhaps gave Pitt State coaches and players a little extra homework this week to address miscommunication and missed assignments. The third quarter struggles offensively especially raised some concerns.

“We didn't keep them off-balance very well,” Beck said. “We kind of let them tee off on us a little bit. . . . We want to play better upfront. We didn't play near as good upfront as we would like to have. Then again, this group of five, they're feeling each other out. We didn't have Josiah Cody, so Cale Karigan got his first start (at right guard) and that offensive line's got to have some cohesiveness to understand what's going on. We had some lack of communication on some things but bottom line was, we weren't as physical as UCO's defensive line.”

At this early point in the season, Pitt State defensive backs De’Vante Bausby and Bryant Sanchez lead the Gorillas in quarterback sacks, Bausby 2.0 and Sanchez 1.0. Defensive linemen Gus Toca and Taye Irvin halved a sack.

“I think our defensive line's getting done the things we've asked them to do up to this point,” Beck said. “Obviously, going against the big tackle at NSU (former Oklahoma State player Michael Bowie), that was a chore for anybody. But, De’Vante Bausby's been able to get a couple of sacks, which is another look that our defense is throwing at you. When we get to where we've got a straight drop-back passer and a guy that's going to sit back in the pocket, our front four guys will end up getting pressure at some point. We still feel good about where we're at defensive line wise.”

Defensive linemen such as Toca, Irvin and Joe Uzzel may have a field day today against the Bearcats and their pass-first offense.

“What they haven't done well up to this point is protect their passer,” Beck said. “I'm sure that's something they're working on and trying to improve. It will be interesting to see how that matchup comes about.”

Southwest Baptist senior quarterback Dan Connors (6-foot-6, 205 pounds) passed for 388 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions during losses to Truman State (24-14) and Lindenwood (35-14). Conversely, Pitt State sophomore quarterback Anthony Abenoja threw for 378 yards alone in the season opener.

Tiras Harris, a senior, leads Southwest Baptist with 104 yards rushing on 30 carries. Sophomore wideout Drew Lauderdale averages 9.5 receptions per game so far, with his 19 catches good for 166 yards and one touchdown.

Senior defensive back Austin Otwell paces all Bearcat defensive players with 18 tackles, including four resulting in losses and two quarterback sacks.

Return specialist Chris Muhammad, a senior, averages 27.2 yards on punt returns, highlighted by his 93-yard TD last week against Lindenwood.

Beck said that his team practiced better headed into Bolivar today.

“The thing you've got to understand is how fast things get past us,” Beck said. “(Wednesday) was approximately our 29th practice and after (Thursday), we've got about 24 practices left in the season. So, we're already past half our practices for the year and so that's how important and significant each practice is . . . that's where we improve. We know the kids are going to give it their best when they get on the field but practice is where we've got to get better and to answer your question, getting kids to understand how to finish everything's really important.”

Pitt State performed better in the second half against Northeastern State (Okla.) in Week 1, scoring 10 points in both the third and fourth quarters. The Gorillas extended their 15-point halftime lead to 21 points at the final gun.

“I don't know how you compare those two games because the first drive of the Tahlequah game we come out and drive it down and score,” Beck said. “First drive of the UCO game, not so good. Way too many three-and-outs in the third quarter. We were out-of-sync and just didn't do a great job of keeping them off-balance. It was a little bit too predictable. . . . We're still a team figuring out what we can do best and trying to utilize our personnel the best we can.”

Junior linebacker Nate Dreiling, now with 316 career tackles, stands in seventh place on the PSU all-time tackles chart and two stops today will move Dreiling past Troy Wilson (317) for sixth all-time.

Junior wide receiver-kick returner-punt returner John Brown leads Division II in all-purpose yards with 582, averaging 291 yards per game. With at least 100 yards of receiving today, Brown (1,483 yards) can move into fourth all-time in career receiving yards, passing Marques Nelson (1,582), and will have Jermaine Carpenter (1,671), Gene Wayenberg, Jr. (1,827) and Ronnie West (2,521) ahead of him.