The Truman Bulldogs will continue one of the nation’s toughest schedules as they will face their fourth ranked opponent in six games as they welcome #5 Washburn University for the 69th annual Homecoming Game on the Kirksville campus. Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m.
The Bulldogs have won four of their last five Homecoming games and hope to ride the momentum of their 25-10 victory last week against McKendree (Ill.) University as they stepped outside of conference action for the first time in 2011.
Truman is led by senior quarterback J.B. Clark, who has passed for 1,142 yards through the first five games and senior receiver Anthony Brown who has 26 catches for 386 yards and three touchdowns.
The Ichabods are riding high after staying unbeaten following a 31-17 victory in the “Turnpike Tussle”, the annual rival game with Emporia State last Saturday.
Washburn became the highest ranked MIAA member when they moved up to fifth with the victory over the Hornets coupled with the loss by top-ranked Northwest Missouri to Pittsburg State.
Senior quarterback Dane Simoneau will be making his fourth start against the Bulldogs and has thrown for over 1,500 yards this season with 16 touchdown passes.
Simoneau has four receivers with over 250 yards apiece with DeJaun Beard (342/5 TDs) and Ronnell Garner (332/4 TDs) on top of the charts.
The Ichabods have won the last four games in this series including last year’s 45-12 victory over the Bulldogs at Stokes Stadium.
Simoneau threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns while the Bulldogs top offensive player was running back Will Mosquera with 83 yards on 18 carries.
Five Things To Watch:
1 – Ball Possession
The Ichabods come in with the MIAA top ranked defense (297.2/g) and second ranked offense (478.8/g).
Truman will need to keep that high powered offense on the sidelines by chewing up game clock and moving the chains.
The Bulldogs have averaged 25:26 of possession time through the first five games with the defense being on the field over 34 minutes per game.
2 – Third Down Efficiency
Truman will need to improve on their 32% third down success rate this season.
The Bulldogs are 24-of-76 overall and have a slightly better success rate when facing a third and 7-10 yard to go (38%) than a third and less that three (32%).
Defensively, the Bulldogs have been solid in mid to long yardage situations but allowing a 73% success rate in short yardages attempts.
Washburn comes in with a 53% overall success rate on third downs.
3 –Look For The Big Turnover
The Bulldogs have had a positive turnover margin over the last four weeks going 11 takeaways to just six turnovers since week two.
Washburn has had 14 fumbles this season but has lost just four while quarterback Dane Simoneau has tossed six interceptions.
4 – Win Special Teams
Truman’s average starting position following kickoffs is their own 32 while their opponents average position is five yards fewer at their own 27.
The Bulldogs are second in the conference in net punting average with a 42.4 average punt and a 7.2 allowed return average while Washburn is last in the MIAA in kickoff returns and have only had four punts returned.
5 – Conjure Up Some Homecoming Magic
Truman has won four of their last five Homecoming games and has a 44-23-2 overall homecoming game mark.
Last year, the Bulldogs knocked off Missouri Southern in front of the alumni and rallied to win 37-34 in front of a hostile Emporia State homecoming crowd. In 2008, the ‘Dogs defeated nationally-ranked and previously unbeaten Nebraska-Omaha 26-20 in overtime.
Courtesy Truman State University