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Truman State University Athletics

15FBTS11

Football

Defense To Be Put To Test Against High Powered McKendree Offense

 
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – It will be the top offense against the top defense as Truman Football closes out the 2015 season on Saturday against McKendree University. The Bulldogs will bring the defense as they are number one in points allowed (19.0) and yards allowed (322) per game in the GLVC while the Bearcats are tops in scoring offense (39.7) and total offense (496) per game.
 
Truman did not allow a touchdown and forced three fourth-quarter turnovers in their 10-3 victory over Saint Joseph's on Saturday. A six-play, 75-yard drive by the Bulldogs in the second quarter was all Truman needed to earn the fifth win of the season.
 
McKendree is led by senior quarterback Isaac Fisher, as he ranks third in the conference in rushing yards per game and first in passing yards. Fisher and the Bearcats blasted the Quincy Hawks on Saturday 56-30 rolling up over 600 yards of total offense (300 rushing and 305 yards passing). The Bearcats received a vote in this week's America Football Coaches Association Top 25 poll.
 
The Bulldogs have won all three previous meetings with the Bearcats including last year's 30-17 win in Lebanon. This is McKendree's second trip to Kirksville as they fell 28-21 in their last visit in the 2013 season.
 
Truman/McKendree the Numbers:
McKendree Offense vs. Truman Defense:
A classic top offense against a top defense will be on display Saturday. The Bearcats are seventh in the nation in total offense while Truman is 31st in total defense. McKendree is averaging 39.7 points per game, good for 19th overall in Division II and are ranked in the top 50 in both rushing offense (44th/203.4g) and passing yards (19th/293.5g). The Bulldogs 23rd in rushing defense (116.4g) and 67th in passing yards allowed (206.4g).
 
Bearcat senior quarterback Isaac Fisher is third in Division II in Total Offense (370.6g), sixth in completion percentage and 14th in passing yards per game (289.6). Fisher has thrown for over 300 yards in six games this year. The only game Fisher did not break 100 yards passing was when he was held to 94 yards in a win over Saint Joseph's.
 
The Bulldog defense allowed just a 41-yard field goal in their victory Saturday over the Pumas. Truman's D' notched 16 tackles for loss, the most in a game by Truman since a 2005 game against Oklahoma Panhandle State. Ten Truman defenders have over 30 tackles this year with Austin Zoda leading the way with 85. Truman leads the league and is 27th in Division II in third down defense allowing opponents to succeed 31.8% of the time.
 
 
Truman Offense vs. McKendree Defense:
Truman features a balanced attack with 142.3 yards per game on the ground and 160.8 yards passing. The Bulldogs have averaged 19 points per game, converted on third down 36% of the time and converted in the redzone 82% of the time. True freshman Andy Satulla leads the team in rushing with 515 yards. Satulla has two 100-yard rushing games with a high of 172 against St. Francis (Ill.) Redshirt Freshman Randy Schroeder has stared the past five games (4-1) and for the season has thrown for 1236 yards and four touchdowns. His top targets have been junior Joey Schenk (66-660, 4 TDs) and senior Felix Neboh (38-419, 2 TDs). Truman is 22nd in Division II in sacks allowed at 1.10 per game or 11 for 71 yards.
 
A.J. Wentland leads a McKendree defense that fourth in the conference in yards allowed (386.4g) and scoring (21.7g). Wentland is ninth in Division II in solo tackles per game (6.9) and eighth in total tackles per game (13.6). McKendree is last in the league in time of possession with opponents being on the field over 33 minutes per game. The Bearcats are third in Division II in sacks with 33 for 208 yards.
 
Special Teams:
The Bulldogs are the third ranked kick return defense in the country at 13.3 yards per return but have had six kickoffs out of bounds.
 
For Truman, Nick Dolezal is nine of 11 on field goal attempts with a long of 42, 20-of-22 on extra point attempts and 50.5 yards per kickoff. Brock Rohler has punted the ball 44 times for an average of 35.5 and a long of 54. Derek Hammann averages 7.5 yards per punt return and 22.3 yards per kick return.
 
Steven O'Block has hit 11-of-12 field goal attempts with a long of 42. O'Block has converted on 40-of-44 point after attempts. On kickoffs, O'Block is averaging 58.7 yards per kick with three out of bounds. Brendan Fred has 35 punts for a 39.7 per average and 10 inside the 20. Cameron James is the top returner for McKendree averaging 13.1 yards on punts and 19.0 on kickoffs.
Truman/St. Joseph's Follow-Ups:
  • Both teams missed early field goal chances as St. Joseph's missed from 33 on their opening possession and Truman missed from 39 early in the second quarter.
  • After stopping the Pumas on downs at their own 25, the Bulldogs got three straight plays of 20 yards or more to punch in the only touchdown of the game, a one-yard rush by A.J. Hartfield. It was Hartfield's first TD of the season and sixth of his career.
  • The Pumas got a 41-yard field goal midway through the third quarter to cut the lead to 7-3.
  • SJC had 101 of their 335 yards of total offense in the fourth quarter but had three straight drives end via turnovers.
  • JD Hurd picked off his first career pass at the Truman five yard line. Nick Reichert recovered a fumble at the Pumas 17 that led to a 21-yard field goal by Nick Dolezal. Ben Wellman forced and recovered the ball at Truman's 26 to essentially end the game.
  • Truman had 253 yards of total offense with 80 on the ground and 173 through the air.
  • Randy Schroeder improved to 4-1 as a starter.
  • Saint Joseph's came into the game among the national leaders in turnover margin +12 and finished at -3 on the afternoon.
  • It was the first Truman game this season without a turnover.
  • Truman was 2-for-2 in redzone opprotuties and Saint Joseph's was 0-for-2.
  • Puma kicker Gavin Voss has accounted for all nine points, three field goals, Saint Joseph's has scored in the last two games played in Kirksville between these two teams.
  • The three points allowed by the Bulldogs was the fewest since they shutout Quincy on October 5, 2013.
  • The win by the Bulldogs was their first over Saint Joseph's in GLVC action and increased the series lead over the Pumas to 4-2.
 
Last Year vs. McKendree:
  • Truman fell behind 7-0 and responded with two first quarter touchdowns, a 5-yard run by Garrett White and a 20-yard TD reception by Kurt Loyd to lead 13-7.
  • McKendree closed the gap to three with a 25-yard field goal at the end of the first half.
  • White ripped off a 45-yard run on the first drive of the second half and scored again early in the fourth quarter to make it 30-10.
  • White rushed for 159 yards on 24 carries.
  • Devonte Black completed 14-of-19 passes for 181 yards with Loyd catching five passes for 49.
  • The Bulldogs had 377 yards of total offense with 196 on the ground.
  • McKendree was 2-for-6 in redzone opportunities and amassed 417 yards of total offense.
  • The two teams lost a total of five fumbles, three by Truman and two by McKendree.
  • Isaac Fisher threw for 279 yards (27-of-47) and had 87 yards rushing on 18 attempts.
  • Jordan Brown led Truman with 15 tackles, one for loss and A.J. Wentland led McKendree with 11 tackles, 1.5 for loss.
In The Five Games Won…
  • Team has averaged 362.4 yards of total offense and 33:47 of possession time.
  • Has averaged 178.0 yards rushing per game and have averaged 48 rushing attempts in those games.
  • Andy Satulla has 423 of his 515 rushing yards this season and has 107 of his 144 carries.
  • Team has allowed four quarterback sacks and converted on third down 39% of the time.
  • The defense has allowed 300 yards of total offense (303.4/game) and 76.8 yards rushing.
  • Has 13 quarterback sacks for 75 yards and has scored all three defensive touchdowns.
In The Five Games Lost…
  • The Bulldogs are a -4 in turnover margin with five interceptions thrown and four fumbles lost.
  • Has averaged 231.4 yards of total offense and 94.2 yards rushing per game.
  • Has averaged 29 rushing attempts per game and 33 pass attempts.
  • Three games have a total margin of defeat of nine points (-1 Wayne State, -3 Missouri S&T, -5 Quincy).
  • Allow 156 yards rushing per game and 186 yards passing.
  • Has been outscored in the fourth quarter 45-7 and in the second half 69-20.
  • Converts on third down 32% of the time.
  • Has made seven trips to the redzone (7-7) while opponents have made 20 trips with 15 scores.
Team/Individual Season Rankings
  • The 12 Field Goals made are tied for fourth in Truman single-season history. Third is 14 made in 2001 and the record is 15 made in both 2011 and 1990.
  • The defense is one tackle shy of tying last season's record of 76 tackles for loss. The Bulldogs enter the game with 75, the same total as both the 2000, 2012 and 2013 seasons.
  • Opponents are averaging 116.4 yards rushing per game which is the lowest season average since 1982's 83.5 yards rushing per game. The past two years, Truman has been limiting below 125 yards per game.
  • Truman's total defense is averaging 322.8 yards allowed per game, the fewest season average since the number was 304.2 in 1993. Last season, the average was 342.6 per game.
  • If Truman keeps their scoring defense below 20 points allowed per game, it will be the first time since the 1981and 82 season that the D has posted consecutive sub-20 points per game marks. (16.1/11.0)
  • The seven touchdown passes thrown are the fewest by a Bulldog team since they had four in the 1979 season. The last time they did not have at least 10 TD passes was in 2010 (8).
  • Joey Schenck's 66 receptions are ninth most in single-season history. The record is 96 by Andrew Blakley in 2002.
  • Devin Gillespie has four forced fumbles this season, tying him with Jon Walton (1981) and Ricky Ruff (1988) for second in a season, Elijah Lockhart (1982) has the season record with five and career record with 10. Gillespie is second in career forced fumbles with six.
  • Gillespie is ninth in career tackles for loss with 27.5 and third in yards from tackles for loss with 145.
  • A.J. Hartfield is eighth in career kick return average with 23.8 (21 returns/501 yards).
Drive Trends:
  • The offense have had 40 "three and outs" this year while the defense has forced 46.
  • They have started 20 drives on the opponent's side of the field and have scored on 10 of those possessions.
  • Truman has had 11 drives last longer than five minutes this season while opponents have had seven. Truman's longest drive was 7:52 against Southwest Baptist and has had four drives of 80 yards or more.
  • Opponents have had four drives of 80+ yards this season with a long of 85 by Wayne State in week two. The longest drive in terms of time is 8:52 by Missouri S&T in week three.
The Bulldogs In The GLVC:
  • A win would allow the Bulldogs to tie for second for the third straight year in the GLVC.
  • Truman sits in a tie for third with Missouri S&T. The Miners host Quincy on Saturday.
  • The University of Indianapolis won their fourth straight league championship and is 7-0 this year in the GLVC.
  • Truman is 14-8 as they play their third season of GLVC football. The previous two years the Bulldogs have tied for second in the league race behind champion UIndy.
  • In those games, the offense has averaged 24.0 points per game with an average of 344.2 total offensive yards (164.7 rushing/179.5 passing).
  • The defense has allowed 16.4 points per GLVC game with an average of 312.5 yards of total offense (98.6 rushing/213.9 passing).
  • The defense has posted 56 sacks in 22 GLVC games while the offense has allowed 32 sacks.
  • Truman has outscored GLVC foes 529 to 360 (+169) with 67 Touchdowns to 42 Touchdowns allowed.
  • Most of the scoring damage has come in the first half with Truman outscoring GLVC opponents 344-127 (+217 points) but in the fourth quarter of conference games, opponents have a 150-90 margin (-48).
  • This season, in the first quarter of conference games, Truman is outscoring opponents 47-2.
Road Warriors:
Out of 172 NCAA Division II programs, Truman is one of three schools with seven true road games. The Bulldogs join Minnesota State Moorehead and Chowan (N.C.) with seven road games. Lane (Tenn.) and Central State (Ohio) also has seven games away from campus but each has one with a neutral site designation.
Truman travelled nearly 5,000 miles on roundtrip this season while also play three of the four closest NCAA Division II schools on the road. Those three are Quincy, Lincoln and William Jewell that will account for a total of 483 of those roundtrip miles.
The Bulldogs finished the road schedule at 3-4 with two of the losses by a total of six points.
Where To Catch The 'Dogs:
All Truman home games will be available on the GLVC Sports Network. The free webcasts which can be found on TrumanBulldogs.com/watch, will feature a simulcast of the radio broadcast provided by 104.7 FM KRES. The "Voice of the Bulldogs" Brad Boyer and "Mr. Bulldog" Hank Janssen return for their 21st season in brining Bulldog action to fans. In addition, all games will have a free audio webcast at CentralMoInfo.com/KRES.

Kings of Missouri
With a .580 all-time winning percentage, Truman is the "Top Dog" of all NCAA Football playing schools in the state of Missouri. The Bulldogs are second in terms of overall wins with 556 and trail the flagship institution of the state, the University of Missouri in that regard. Northwest Missouri (.579), Missouri Western (.549), Mizzou (.546) and Westminster College (.528) round out the top five of the 15 public and private schools in the state that play football under the NCAA banner.

Notable Senior Accolades:
Saturday's game marks the final football game for 15 Bulldog seniors. They are Kyle Arthaud, Charlie Brynac, Logan Carney, Evan Cerven, Steven Day, Ethan Decker, Devin Gillespie, Dominic Greenlee, Brad Hardin, Derek Hammann, Luke Lamar, Felix Neboh, Nick Reichert, Curtis Secrest and Zach Tobin.
Over the past four seasons, the group has been a part of 22 overall wins with 17 coming in conference games.

Among the individual accomplishments of the group, Nick Reichert earned second team all-GLVC honors as a junior defensive lineman. Derek Hammann was an honorable mention all-conference pick as a special teams player. Reichert, Logan Carney and Brad Hardin have all been named Academic all-conference. Devin Gillespie will finish in the top 10 in career fumbles forced (6), yards from tackles for loss (145) and tackles for loss (27.5). Zach Tobin played in 13 games as quarterback and completed 60 passes for 568 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Luke Lamar has 126 total tackles with 10.5 for loss and five sacks. Felix Neboh has caught 55 passes for 568 yards and two touchdowns. Steven Day started as a true freshman and has 92 total tackles with one interception and two sacks.
 
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Players Mentioned

Kurt Loyd

#27 Kurt Loyd

WR
5' 11"
Senior
Garrett White

#28 Garrett White

RB
6' 0"
Senior
Kyle Arthaud

#17 Kyle Arthaud

WR
5' 10"
Senior
Devonte Black

#9 Devonte Black

QB
5' 11"
Junior
Jordan Brown

#6 Jordan Brown

DB
5' 7"
Sophomore
Charlie Brynac

#79 Charlie Brynac

OL
6' 3"
Senior
Logan Carney

#53 Logan Carney

DL
6' 3"
Junior
Evan Cerven

#98 Evan Cerven

TE
6' 4"
Senior
Steven Day

#21 Steven Day

DB
5' 9"
Redshirt Senior
Ethan Decker

#63 Ethan Decker

OL
6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
Nick Dolezal

#42 Nick Dolezal

K
5' 10"
Sophomore
Devin Gillespie

#59 Devin Gillespie

DL
6' 0"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Kurt Loyd

#27 Kurt Loyd

5' 11"
Senior
WR
Garrett White

#28 Garrett White

6' 0"
Senior
RB
Kyle Arthaud

#17 Kyle Arthaud

5' 10"
Senior
WR
Devonte Black

#9 Devonte Black

5' 11"
Junior
QB
Jordan Brown

#6 Jordan Brown

5' 7"
Sophomore
DB
Charlie Brynac

#79 Charlie Brynac

6' 3"
Senior
OL
Logan Carney

#53 Logan Carney

6' 3"
Junior
DL
Evan Cerven

#98 Evan Cerven

6' 4"
Senior
TE
Steven Day

#21 Steven Day

5' 9"
Redshirt Senior
DB
Ethan Decker

#63 Ethan Decker

6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
OL
Nick Dolezal

#42 Nick Dolezal

5' 10"
Sophomore
K
Devin Gillespie

#59 Devin Gillespie

6' 0"
Senior
DL