Game From Obscurity

As always, it’s time to once again head to the creepy part of the college football attic, look behind the old scary dress mannequin, and dust off a game from the nether regions of the sport.  You know, the type of game that gets preempted by a Charles Schultz holiday special?

You have no idea how close I was to calling Transylvania University and doing this week’s article on one of their intramural flag football games.  Seriously, how does a team from “Transylvania University” not want to do football? It’s got the most bloodletting of any major collegiate sport- that is until Women’s MMA gets some sort of Title IX exemption or something. Perhaps they’re nervous about how the student section would dress to support the team?

So, in the spirit of Halloween, this weekend we highlight a Division Two matchup of MIAA foes Washburn University and Truman State.  So what does this game have to do with All Hallows Eve? Would you be excited to hear that the mascot for Washburn University’s men’s programs is the Ichabods? Unfortunately, they’re named after Ichabod Washburn, and not the character from the famous Washington Irving story (and subsequent Johnny Depp flick). Interestingly enough, the women’s athletics are called the Lady Blues, again disappointing in their ability to meet potential greatness.

Founded in 1865, they were soon found their name changed to reflect a generous donor (sounds familiar). Hailing from the heart of Topeka Kansas, Washburn University prides itself in housing Mulvane Art Museum, the oldest accredited museum of it’s type west of the Mississippi. Take that, Getty Center.  Their student section is known as The Bod Squad, hopefully they take advantage of opportunities to either right wrongs or educate the youngsters on ways to take care of themselves.

So far, the ‘Bods have managed a .500 record, 4-4 overall and 3-3 in conference. Their last two games have come down to the wire- a double overtime win against the Gorillas of Pittsburg State and a last second one point loss at homecoming last week. The defense is led thus far by Marty Pfannenstiel’s 59 tackles, including two sacks and a forced fumble. Offensively, Vershon Moor has run for 915 yards thus far, complemented by Dane Simoneau’s 2269 yards and 21 TDs through the air. The program produces NFL athletes- alumni Trey Lewis plays for the Atlanta Falcons, while Cary Williams suits up for the Baltimore Ravens. Sports Illustrated’s Damian Strohmeyer honed his skills on the Icabod sidelines as well.

Their opposition on Saturday will be the Bulldogs of Truman State, who are also 4-4 on the season, but only 2-4 in MIAA play. They are coming into the matchup with a two game winning streak, and are led offensively by Phillip Davis’ 1008 yards passing and 591 yards rushing. His primary target has been Dallas Grier, who has almost 400 yards receiving on the season.  The Bulldogs defense is anchored by Michael Elliot’s 64 tackles, including three interceptions and three forced fumbles.

Located in Kirksville, Truman State is in Missouri, home of the most recent upset of the number one team in the nation, and the Bulldogs are anxious to show us their prowess on the field of honor. Boasting a 42/58 male to female ratio, Truman State would seem to be an ideal place for a young man to matriculate. Founded in 1867, it was renamed in 1996 after Missouri’s most famous politician, our 33rd president. Other famous alumni include boxer Ken Norton, Commander of the American Forces in World War 1 “Black Jack” Pershing, Super Bowl Champion defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, Glenn Thomas Jacobs- the WWE’s Kane, and “Pam” from the office- the lovely Jenna Fischer.

If you’re looking for a spooky good time following Saturday’s game, be sure to stick around campus- Truman State has a number of “haunted” sites that have been investigated by paranormal researchers. The most famous of these documentations is “road video” shot on one of the routes leading to campus… Initially done as a “promo” video for the institution, some say you can see “something” after the car passes the trees in this video.  I’ll leave it for you to decide.