November 16, 2002
Truman Ends The 2002 Season With A 27-23 Win Over Missouri Western
The Truman Bulldogs seniors went out the right way, closing their careers
with a 27-23 win over Missouri Western. The Bulldogs closed the season 6-5,
its seventh winning season in eight years under head coach John Ware.
Truman wide receiver Andrew Blakley caught six passes for 40 yards to finish his career with 300 catches for 3,458 yards to rank second in NCAA Division II and also tied for sixth in all-Division receptions. Another senior, quarterback Dusty Burk, finished the season with the second-most total offense yards in MIAA history with 3,441. Burk threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns against Missouri Western and also ran one in.
Despite good days from those two players, the offensive player of the game was Geoff Jensen. The wide receiver caught 10 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns. His final touchdown reception was a 75-yard strike towards the end of the third quarter which gave Truman a commanding 27-10 lead. Missouri Western would get the score within 10 following a touchdown with 9:21 left in the game and add on the final points with a scoring stike on the final play of the game.
Jake Willrich led Truman defensively with 14 tackles and an interception. Derek Kent also intercepted a pass and Ben Wilson recovered a fumble for the Bulldogs. Judd Lienhard had a team-high 16 tackles on the day.
Missouri Western's Michael Cooper threw for 325 yards and two touchdowns in the game and Jason Dawson threw for 60 yards and another touchdown. Adam Ziesel caught nine passes for 127 yards and Darwin Pitts also caught nine balls for 98 yards and one touchdown.