Oct. 17, 2000

Truman Entertains Missouri Southern for Homecoming

The Game: Truman State University Bulldogs (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association/NCAA Division II) vs. Missouri Southern State College Lions (MIAA/NCAA DII)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 21, 2000
Time: 2 p.m. (Central)
Location: Kirksville, Mo.
Facility (Cap.): Stokes Stadium (4,000)
Events: Homecoming, Organ Donor Awareness Day, Retirement of No. 3.

Broadcast: KRES 104.7 FM, Moberly, Mo. Ken Kujawa, play-by-play, and Brad Boyer and Hank Janssen, commentary. The Pregame show begins approximately 30 minutes before the game.

Team Line: Live KRES broadcast by calling 1-800-846-4700. Access Code: 6350

Truman: The Bulldogs fell to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA after suffering a 20-19 loss at Missouri Western on Saturday. Truman is now tied for third in the MIAA, while this weekend's opponent, Missouri Southern is in eighth place with a 1-6 overall record and 1-4 mark in the MIAA.

The 'Dogs share third-place in the MIAA with Central Missouri, Pittsburg State, Washburn and Emporia, while Missouri-Rolla and Southwest Baptist are in the cellar with 0-5 marks. With Emporia, Washburn and Pittsburg State still on the Truman agenda, and Missouri Western still to face Central Missouri and Emporia, the door is still open for postseason action for the Bulldogs, if only the Mineral Water Bowl.

The Mineral Water Bowl will pit the highest ranking team from the MIAA and the Northern Sun Conference which do not earn bids to the NCAA Division II playoffs. In 1954, the Mineral Water Bowl was instituted for small colleges and featured top teams in the Midwest. It was discontinued in 1975, but was revived as a junior college bowl in 1992. The 2000 game will be the 35th game played in Mineral Water Bowl history, including the six years previous to hosting small colleges when it was a high school postseason game.

The only postseason win for Truman was a 22-8 victory over Parsons College in 1961 in the Mineral Water Bowl.

Events On Saturday: Saturday is Homecoming at Truman and a parade at 9 a.m. will kick off the festivities. A tailgate will be held before the game in Pershing Arena at a cost of $6 a person.

During halftime of Saturday's game, the No. 3 will be retired from the Bulldog football team. Worn by Jarrett Anderson from 1993-96, it is the third number to be retired. Anderson was the NCAA Division II Player of the Year in 1996 and set countless Truman, MIAA and NCAA records (see page 4 for complete story detailing Anderson's accomplishments).

Saturday is also organ donor awareness day. The MIAA student-athlete advisory committee, in partnership with Mid-America Transplant Services and the Midwest Transplant Network, is bringing attention to the need for organ and tissue donors this fall on campuses around the conference. Truman student-athletes will be distributing information on how to become an organ and tissue donor. More than 70,000 Americans are on waiting lists for organ transplants and hundreds of thousands more could benefit from tissue transplants. Everyday, 13 people in this country die for lack of a donor organ.

Bulldogs in MIAA/NCAA and on Truman Career lists: Junior quarterback Eric Howe (West Des Moines, Iowa/Dowling) is now fifth all-time at Truman with 5,112 yards passing. He also moved into sixth-place on the Truman career total offense list with 5,057 yards, after adding 371 yards against Missouri Western last weekend, the most by an MIAA player so far this year. Howe is 94 yards from the fourth spot in career passing at Truman, which is currently held by Chris Hegg with 5,306 (1984-85), and is 225 yards from ranking fifth all-time among Bulldog total offense leaders, where Don Cummings with 5,282 (1967-70) is currently sitting.

Howe's 1,764 total offensive yards this season is currently the 10th-best total ever by an MIAA player and 692 yards from ninth-place. He is 453 yards from the No. 10 spot on the MIAA's career passing yardage list.

Against MWSC, Howe completed 32 of 52 passes for 369 yards and two touchdowns, including a long pass of 65 yards to give the 'Dogs a 19-14 lead with 3:14 left in the game. Besides being career-highs, Howe's 52 attempts and 32 completions were also the most by a conference athlete this year, while his 369 passing yards was second-best.

Howe is first in MIAA passing yards (256.9 ypg) and total offense (252.0 ypg) and fourth in pass efficiency (139.8). He is 22nd among NCAA Division II pass efficiency leaders and 13th in the nation in total offensive yards per game.

Sophomore Andrew Blakley (St. Joseph, Mo./Central) is tied with Benny Pardue (1987-90) for ninth all-time at Truman with 102 career receptions in the last two campaigns. He needs four more to tie for eighth with Eric Holm (1977-80) and five more to tie for seventh with Bulldog associate head coach Matt Copland (1992-95) with 107. Blakley is also poised to begin his climb of the 'Dogs' career receiving yardage list. With just 34 yards, he will break into the 15th spot currently held by Marcus McCoy (1989-92) with 1,234. Blakley is fourth in MIAA receptions (4.43 rpg) this week and is eighth in receiving yards (56.4 ypg).

Junior wide receiver Kevin Collins (Davenport, Iowa/Assumption), who is tied for fifth in league receptions (4.14 rpg) and is sixth in receiving yards (60.4 ypg), is also moving up a few Bulldog career leaders lists. He has 1,448 career receiving yards, claiming the 11th spot at Truman. Collins needs 27 yards to tie for 10th with Benny Pardue (1987-90). His 87 career receptions puts Collins just two yards from making 13th on the Truman career list where Larry Tisdale (1984-85) sits with 89. Collins is also tied for fourth in career receiving touchdowns, charting his 16th just before half-time of the Missouri Western game.

Sophomore Alfonso Pugh (Galesburg, Ill.) is second in league punt returns (17.8 ypr) and third in all-purpose yards (126.1 ypg) and kickoff returns (30.4 ypr). Following a superb performance against Missouri Western, he is now tied for fifth in MIAA receptions (4.14 rpg) and is seventh in receiving yards (59.7 ypg). Pugh led the team in receiving vs. MWSC with nine catches for 179 yards, career highs in both categories and the most single-game receiving yardage in the MIAA this year. He also had touchdowns catches of 20- and 65-yards last Saturday, tying for the most TD receptions in a game in the league in 2000, and is now tied for seventh in MIAA scoring (6.0 ppg) and tied for fourth in scoring by TDs. Pugh is also ranked 14th in DII punt returns.

Junior Geoff Jensen (Grinnell, Iowa) is also among the league's best receivers, coming in 10th this week in receiving yards per game (50.5 ypg).

A Bulldog has finally shown up among MIAA rushing leaders as sophomore tailback Mike Redding (Lake Zurich, Ill.) is ranked ninth this week with 58.0 yards per game. He netted 20 yards on six carries vs. Missouri Western, after running for a career-high 123 against Central Missouri two weeks ago.

Sophomore Austin Lepper (Ames, Iowa/Gilbert) is tied for second in MIAA punting (40.0 ypp), is sixth in scoring by kicks (4.7 ppg), tied for seventh in field goals per game (0.43), tied for sixth in field goal percentage (50.0) and ninth in PAT kicking percentage (82.8). He is tied for 16th in DII punting yards per game.

Senior defensive back Toko Nguyen (Quincy, Ill./Notre Dame) and freshman defensive back Anthony Binion (Chicago/Fenwick) are tied for sixth in the MIAA with two interceptions apiece this year.

Senior defensive end Leo Smith (Monroe City, Mo.) is tied for eighth in sacks in the conference with 2.5 for the year, while senior free safety John Naeve (Camanche, Iowa) is 10th in passes defended with five this season.

Senior defensive tackle Curt Cira (St. Louis/Vianney) is tied for seventh in tackles for a loss with nine and is tied for first in the MIAA in forced fumbles (3). Sophomore strong safety Adam Meyer (New Haven, Mo./St. Francis Borgia) is tied for second with two forced fumbles.

Missouri Southern: Missouri Southern is guided by Josh Chapman who is seventh in the MIAA this week with 73.1 passing yards per game and eighth in efficiency (80.72). Junior wide receiver Joey Ballard has been Chapman's No. 1 target, averaging 35.3 yards per game receiving. He is also the team leader in punt returns (8.7 ypr), kickoff returns (18.4 ypr) and all-purpose yards (102.3 ypg), while ranking third in rushing (18.0 ypg). Ballard is ninth in MIAA receptions (3.57 rpg) and seventh in punt returns and all-purpose yards. He is also a reserve cornerback on defense. Senior defensive end Reggie Smith has a team-high 12 tackles for a loss and three sacks.

The Lions' only win this season was over Southwest Baptist 41-14 three weeks ago. MSSC opened the year with a string of four losses to Northeastern State (Okla.) 33-15, Division I-AA Southwest Missouri 48-3, and MIAA foes Washburn 24-22 and Emporia State, 24-0. Two weeks ago, the Lions fell to Pittsburg State 42-14, and last weekend defending national champion Northwest Missouri routed Missouri Southern, 52-0.

Missouri Southern vs. Northwest Missouri: Northwest Missouri took a 31-0 lead at intermission and went on to score three more touchdowns in the second half, the last coming on a 25-yard fumble return. Missouri Southern had 146 yards of total offense to NWMS's 531. Chapman completed 11 of 22 pass attempts with 2 interceptions for 56 yards. Antonio Whitney had 23 carries for 57 yards and Chris Turner led the team in receiving with four catches for 21 yards, while Joey Ballard caught three passes for 28 yards.

Truman vs. Missouri Western-Oct. 14, 2000: Missouri Western took an early lead on a 42-yard scoring pass, but the Bulldogs' Pugh would even the score before the quarter was over on a 20-yard pass from Howe. The Griffons scored on their first series in the second period after marching 55-yards on 11 plays which culminated on an 18-yard TD pass.

Truman was stopped on its next drive and the 'Dogs' defense held the Griffs to a three-and-out on their next series. When Truman got the ball back Howe and host of receivers drove 72 yards in 11 plays finished off by a 16-yard TD pass from Howe to Collins. However, the extra point was missed as the PAT boot hit the right upright, a mistake that would prove to be Missouri Western's margin of victory.

Neither team scored in the third quarter, or until there was less than four minutes remaining in the game. Then Howe connected with Pugh on a 65-yard pass play, but the two-point conversion failed to make the Bulldogs lead just 19-14 with 3:14 left in the game.

The determined Griffons then drove 66-yards over the next 2:34 and took a 20-19 lead on a 2-yard reception which would hold up as Truman could not score in the remaining 25 seconds.

Howe had the best game in the MIAA this year with 32 of 52 passes for 369 yards, and 371 yards of total offense, while Pugh also charted the most receiving yardage by an MIAA player this year with 179 and two touchdowns. Truman was held to 59 yards rushing, led by Redding who had six carries for a net of 20 yards. Jensen and Blakley had six catches apiece for 42 and 37 yards respectively, and Collins caught four passes for 50 yards and a TD.

Series Record: Truman leads 8-4
First Meeting: 1968 (Truman won, 48-8)
Last Meeting: 1999 (Truman won, 45-40)
Last Truman Win: 1999 (45-40)
Last MSSC Win: 1997 (40-32, later forfeited)
Biggest Truman Win: 1992 (52-6)
Biggest MSSC Win: 1997 (40-32, later forfeited)

Lions' Statistical Leaders
Rushing: Antonio Whitney, 105 for 396 yards, 4 TDs
Passing: Josh Chapman, 51 of 113 for 512 yards, 8 int., 4 TDs
Receptions & Receiving Yards: Joey Ballard, 25 for 247 yards, 1 TD
All-Purpose Yardage: Joey Ballard, 716
Total Offense: Josh Chapman, 207 plays, 908 yards
Field Goals: Eddie Wright, 3 of 5
Punt Returns: Joey Ballard, 12/104 yards
Kickoff Returns: Joey Ballard, 13/239 yds
Interceptions: None
Scoring: Vince Vaccaro, 24 points, 4 TDs
Tackles: Matt Reid, 65

Coaches Records: Truman head coach John Ware is in his sixth season at the helm for the Bulldogs, and has a record of 34-27 (.557) in his first stint as a collegiate head coach. In MIAA action, his teams have posted a record of 33-17 (.660). Ware enjoyed the first non-conference win of his career in the season opener, defeating Northern Michigan, 35-24.

Bill Cooke is in his second season as head coach for the Lions, but his first season since a one-year stint in 1988. That season, his MSSC team went 3-7. He is 24-29-1 (.454) as a collegiate head coach, including MSSC's 1-6 mark this year.

Truman Coaches' Players of the Week For 10-16-00:
Offensive Line: Sophomore center Nick Ruud (Moline, Ill.)
Offensive Back: Howe
Receiver: Pugh
Defensive Line: Cira
Linebacker: Willrich
Defensive Back: Senior defensive back John Naeve (Camanche, Iowa)
Big Hit: Sophomore defensive back Adam Meyer (New Haven, Mo./St. Francis Borgia)
Special Effort: Sophomore linebacker Bryan Johnson (Byron, Ill.), Collins & Pugh
Offensive Scout Teams: Freshman tight end Mark Boston (Roodhouse, Ill./Greenfield)
Defensive Scout Teams: Freshman defensive back Ben Wilson (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch)
Special Teams: Freshman linebacker Tameem Yehyawi (Keokuk, Iowa) who charted three special teams tackles

Truman Retires No. 3

The third jersey to be retired from the selection of numbers on the Bulldog football team just happens to be the No. 3.

The number was worn by Jarrett Anderson, a product of DeLaSalle High School in Chicago, who made college football history when he completed an illustrious four-year career at Truman and became the first Bulldog to win the NCAA Division II Player of the Year award, the Harlon Hill Trophy.

The Harlon Hill award was presented to Anderson on Dec. 13, 1996, at a ceremony conducted in Florence, Ala. Anderson received 42 first-place votes from NCAA Division II football sports information directors and had a grand total of 207 points, just two shy of setting the Harlon Hill record at that time for most points. However, his name did appear on 92 of the 105 ballots cast which was a new record for the award at the time.

Anderson finished his career with a Truman and Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association record of 6,166 yards rushing, shattering former Bulldog Dale "Paley" Mills' (1957-60) 36-year-old record of 4,502. It also made him the third all-time rusher in NCAA history at any level, passing former Heisman winners Tony Dorsett, Herschel Walker and Archie Griffin.

During his senior campaign, Anderson was unanimously voted MIAA Offensive MVP. He rushed for 2,140 yards in '96, setting the NCAA Division II mark for yards in a season that year, the sixth highest single season total among all divisions at that time.

Anderson broke or tied five NCAA Division II records his final season. In addition to the season rushing record, he set records in season yards per game with 194.5 and career touchdowns at 73, and he tied the marks for 1,000-yard seasons with four and 200-yard games in a season with five in 1996.

Ten MIAA records and 17 Truman standards were re-written before Anderson, who had never been redshirted, took off the Purple and White for the last time. Besides those that were also NCAA marks, others included single-season touchdowns (28), single-season rushing touchdowns (27), career scoring (440), single-season scoring (168), career rushing attempts (979) and 100-yard rushing games in a career (20 out of 43). He tied the mark for touchdowns in a game in the MIAA (6), but it stands as a Truman record.

Anderson gained 306 yards against Emporia State, tying Mills' single-game record at Truman, but ESU's Brian Shay gained 360 yards in a game earlier in the '96 season for the league record. Shay led the nation in rushing for several weeks after that, but Anderson claimed the honor with two weeks remaining to lead the nation in rushing and scoring for the year.

"A player like Jarrett only comes along once every 50 years or so," his head coach John Ware said. "I feel honored to have been his coach."

Anderson, who never missed a game in four years, began in 1993 when he rushed for 1,096 and was named MIAA freshman of the year. He was MIAA Offensive MVP two consecutive years in 1995 and 1996, and a finalist for the Hill Trophy in 1994.

In a halftime ceremony today, Anderson's number will be retired.

Other Retired Bulldog Numbers

Dale Mills

Jersey No. 31, worn by running back Dale "Paley" Mills from 1957-60, was retired in 1977. Mills, who at one time held 10 college division records, garnered all-America status four times in his career. He collected first-team accolades twice in 1960, once in 1959, and was an honorable mention pick in 1958. Mills entered the Truman Athletics Hall of Fame in 1984. Until Jarrett Anderson's record-breaking spree in '96, Mills held nine Bulldog records, including career rushing yards (4,502) and career scoring (407).

Derringer Cade

Jersey No. 32, worn by Derringer Cade in his last season of a three-year career (1988-90) as a Bulldog outside linebacker, was retired in 1990. Cade died from a rare heart disease after collapsing on the sidelines late in a game at Southwest Baptist University during his junior year. According to his coaches, Cade played the best game of his career that day. He was credited with eight total tackles, including two-and-a-half quarterback sacks and another tackle for a loss.

Current MIAA Standings

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