Pittsburg State coach Chuck Broyles has seen the film of the 2006 Emporia State football team, but he isn’t in a position to say whether he believes the Hornets are improved from a year ago.
“I don’t even remember the game last year,” Broyles said. “It was too long ago.”
Maybe last year’s 52-17 victory has lost its importance, but the present sure hasn’t for Broyles and his 13th-ranked Gorillas, who enter Saturday’s matchup against ESU with a 3-1 record.
PSU comes in with some momentum coming off an impressive 48-24 win over Missouri Southern last week.
“Right now,” Broyles said, “I feel our offense has got to feel good about themselves.”
And with good reason. PSU leads the nation in both scoring and total offense. The Gorillas have averaged an astounding 55.5 points and 505 total yards in their first four games.
It sets up what could be a shootout this weekend at Welch Stadium. ESU is second in the conference in those same categories, averaging 42.5 points and 435 yards per outing.
“Our offense has been moving the ball fairly good,” Broyles said, “and theirs has, too.”
The bigger concern for the PSU coach is his defense, which is sixth in the MIAA in yards allowed.
The Gorillas allowed 465 yards overall and 261 yards rushing in a 48-35 loss to No. 23 Missouri Western two weeks ago.
“The defense played a little better against Southern, but we’re not a strong defensive team that we’ve been used to having here,” Broyles said. “I think they’ll play hard. They’re just not as talented as we’ve had in the past.”
The game will be the 87th meeting between the two schools, which is the ninth-longest rivalry in Division II.
“I think Emporia State and Pittsburg, years ago it was a big rivalry,” Broyles said. “It was Kansas State Teacher’s College versus Emporia State Teacher’s College.”
The teams have split the last two meetings, but PSU supporters have seemed to engage themselves in a greater rivalry with perennial power Northwest Missouri State.
That game is held annually at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
“Every game played has some meaning or you wouldn’t be playing them,” Broyles said. “The games that our fans look forward to the most and travel to would be Pittsburg State-Northwest. But I think there’s always been a natural rivalry there with Emporia, with Pittsburg State being fairly close there in the region.”
The Gorillas still should have plenty of support on Saturday, as Pitt State fans are known for their ability to go on the road and support their team.
The game is expected to be a near-sellout at Welch Stadium.
“It’s supposed to be a nice cool day and two hours away,” Broyles said. “I’d think we’d bring a bus or two.”