This Week's Release

The Game:  The Nebraska Omaha Mavericks conclude the regular season schedule when they travel to Topeka, Kan. to face the Washburn University Ichabods on Saturday, Nov. 8.  Kick-off is 1 p.m. from Washburn's Yager Stadium.  

The Series:  The year was 1973.  CBS television sold the New York Yankees to George Steinbrenner for $10 million, O.J. Simpson became the first NFL player to run for more than 2,000 yards and the Miami Dolphins completed the only undefeated season in NFL history with a 14-7 win over Washington in Super Bowl VII.  It was also the last year the Mavericks and the Ichabods faced off in football.  All-time, the Mavericks hold a slim 14-13-1 advantage.  They are 5-8 all-time at Washburn.

The Records:  The Mavericks are 6-3 in 2008 and 5-3 in MIAA conference play.  They beat Fort Hays State 27-14 in their final home game last week.  The Ichabods are coming off a 48-17 loss at Pittsburg State last Saturday.  They are now 6-4 overall and 4-4 in the MIAA.

The Coaches:  Nebraska-Omaha's Pat Behrns is in  his 15th season as the head coach with a 111-56 record at UNO and a 147-83 record in more than 20 seasons as a collegiate head coach. Behrns  is the all-time leader in wins at UNO.  He is a 1972 graduate of Dakota State. Under Behrns UNO has won NCC titles in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006  and 2007 and has made six NCAA II playoff appearances.   He has been named the NCC Coach of the Year six times.  He also was named the AFCA regional coach of the year and was one of five finalists for the Liberty Mutual coach of the year award.    Craig Schurig guides the fortunes of the Washburn program.  Now in his 7th season, Schurig is 46-33 all-time at that institution.  He is a 1987 graduate of Colorado Mines.

Last Meeting:  The Mavericks stopped Washburn 13-7 in the last meeting between the teams on Sept. 29, 1973.  The Mavs got all the points they needed in the second quarter.  Quarterback Bob Bangston ran the ball in from 8 yards out, and Saul Ravenell did the same from 6, although the PAT failed.  Washburn got a touchdown back in the third quarter but was then stymied by a UNO defense that allowed just 170 yards of offense.  The Mavs finished the season 7-2-1.

Looking Ahead:  Following this week's game, the Mavericks will await the final regional rankings to see if they will be a part of the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.