Mavericks Ready For Playoff Clash with Gorillas
Nov 13, 2008 | General
This Week's Release
The Game: The Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks make their fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs when they visit the Pittsburg State Gorillas for a round one match-up on Saturday, Nov. 15. Kick-off is 12 p.m. from Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg, Kan. The Mavericks are the sixth seed in NCAA Super Regional 4; the Gorillas are third.
The Series: The Mavericks and Pitt State have met once this year with the Gorillas earning a 35-28 win at home on Oct. 18. Due to that win, they hold a 9-8 advantage in the all-time series. The Mavericks are 2-7 all-time in Pittsburg.
The Records: The Mavericks finished the regular season at 7-3 and 6-3 in MIAA conference play. That record was good for sole possession of third place in the conference. They finished MIAA action with a three-game winning streak, beating Washburn 34-14 last week. Pittsburg State won five straight to finish the regular season. The Gorillas topped Emporia State 52-7 last Saturday. They are 10-1 and 8-1 in the MIAA, good for second place.
The Coaches: Nebraska-Omaha's Pat Behrns is in his 15th season as the head coach with a 112-56 record at UNO and a 148-83 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. Chuck Broyles is the head coach for Pittsburg State. Now in his 19th season, Broyles has posted a record of 192-40-2 all-time at that institution. He is a 1970 graduate of Pitt State.
Radio: This week's UNO playoff game will be broadcast on KOZN, 1620 AM in Omaha. This is a change from the regular season when games were carried on 1290 KKAR. David Gustafson will provide the play-by-play while Curt Bohn adds expert commentary. Air time is 10 minutes before kickoff. The games will also be carried on KTTT, 1510 AM, in Columbus.
Playoff History: The Mavericks are 4-9 all-time in post-season play. They have lost five straight playoff games. Ironically, their last playoff win was a 14-3 victory over Pittsburg State on Nov. 18, 2000 in Omaha. The Mavs dropped the playoff rematch with PSU the next season, losing 20-7 on Nov. 17, 2001 at Pittsburg.
Looking Ahead: The winner of the UNO/PSU matchup will face another familiar foe, fellow MIAA neighbor (2)Northwest Missouri State, next week in round two.
