Football 12/4/2010 12:23:00 AM MSU Sports Information

Game Day: #24 Mustangs set for first bowl game since 1947

Setting the Stage

No. 24 Midwestern State takes on Washburn (Kan.) in the second annual Lower, Inc. Kanza Bowl Saturday afternoon at Hummer Sports Park.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

The Kanza Bowl pits the top team in the Lone Star Conference to not make the NCAA Division II playoffs against the top non-playoff squad in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

Where to Find the Game

100.9 BOB FM - The broadcast features the play-by-play voice of two-time Lone Star Conference Broadcaster of the Year Bill Powers. He is joined by KAUZ anchorman Chris Horgen, who serves as color Analyst.
On the Web - BOB-FM's audio broadcast is simulcast on BOBradio.fm. Link

Live Stats -
Live stats are available courtesy of WUSports.com. Link

For the Record

Midwestern State is making its making its fourth postseason appearance in the last seven seasons which has included NCAA Division II postseason appearances in 2004, 2006 and 2009.

The Mustangs (8-3) are 1-3 during the postseason during the Bill Maskill era with their lone win coming against Missouri Western in the first round of the 2006 playoffs.

Midwestern has not appeared in a bowl game since claiming a 39-20 win over Central Arkansas in the Kickapoo Bowl which was played on Dec. 5, 1947 at Coyote Canyon in Wichita Falls.

The Mustangs are 3-3 over their last six games after opening the season with five-straight wins.

Washburn is making their fifth bowl appearance which includes the 1974 and 1976 Boot Hill Bowls in Dodge City, Kan., the 1986 Aztec Bowl in Mexico City and the 2004 Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo.

The Ichabods (7-4) have won six of their last seven games with the lone loss coming to NCAA Division II quarterfinalist Northwest Missouri State by a slim 41-40 margin on Oct. 23.

Washburn is 1-4 against 2010 playoff teams including a win over Colorado Mines and losses to Abilene Christian, Missouri Western, Central Missouri and Northwest Missouri.

Who's Hot

Senior offensive lineman Amini Silatolu garnered Daktronics All-Super Region 4 first-team honors and was a Lone Star Conference South Division Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year after paving the way for the conference's top rushing attack from his left tackle position.

Junior running back Lester Bush led the Mustangs in rushing yards six times this season including a career-best 149 yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns in MSU's 28-8 win over Northeastern State in the regular season finale.

The Houston native tops the team with 546 rushing yards on 99 carries with eight touchdowns.

Junior linebacker Ty Duncan and senior safety Ryan Craven led the defense with 69 tackles each while senior defensive lineman J.D. Corcoran has made 53 stops including team highs of 12 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

About the Series

Midwestern State and Washburn will meet for the first time on the gridiron Saturday afternoon in the Lower, Inc. Kanza Bowl played at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka, Kan.

Quick Hits

Midwestern State is making its first bowl appearance since claiming a 39-20 win over Central Arkansas in the Kickapoo Bowl played on Dec. 5, 1947 at Coyote Canyon in Wichita Falls.
Bill Maskill will be leading the Mustangs into his 100th game as head coach at Midwestern State. He is the program's all-time winningest coach with a 69-30 record and has posted winning seasons in each of his 11 campaigns which also includes two seasons at Southeast Missouri State.

Midwestern State has never faced Washburn, but is 1-3 all-time against the teams from the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) when the game was played. The Mustangs are 0-3 against Northwest Missouri State, but did claim a 28-26 win over Missouri Western in the opening round of the 2006 NCAA Division II playoffs.

Midwestern State tops all Lone Star Conference programs with an 83-37 mark (.691) since the 2000 season.

Senior safety Ryan Craven needs six tackles to overtake Teddy Martyniuk for the most tackles in school history. Martyniuk made 266 tackles from 1988-91, while Craven has 261 coming into today's game.

-- MSUMustangs.com --

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Players Mentioned

#8 Lester Bush: RB; 5' 10"; Junior; 2L

#55 J.D. Corcoran: DE; 6' 3"; Junior; 2L

#30 Ryan Craven: FS; 5' 11"; Senior; 3L

#7 Ty Duncan: LB; 6' 1"; Junior; 2L

#57 Amini Silatolu: OL; 6' 3"; Junior; TR

Players Mentioned

#8 Lester Bush
: 5' 10"; Junior; 2L
: RB

#55 J.D. Corcoran
: 6' 3"; Junior; 2L
: DE

#30 Ryan Craven
: 5' 11"; Senior; 3L
: FS

#7 Ty Duncan
: 6' 1"; Junior; 2L
: LB

#57 Amini Silatolu
: 6' 3"; Junior; TR
: OL