By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Coming off an injury-riddled 2-9 season in 2023, Washburn University didn't expect to get a high ranking in the MIAA Coaches and MIAA Preseason Media polls that were released Tuesday as part of the 2024 MIAA Football Media Day at the Kauffman Foundation.
Veteran Washburn football coach Craig Schurig talks to the media during Tuesday's MIAA Media Day in Kansas City, Mo. {Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But the Ichabods hope that being ranked ninth among 10 teams in both polls can serve as a source of motivation this fall.
"You could anticipate that (the low spot in the polls) because that's where we finished last year,'' veteran Washburn coach Craig Schurig said. "With the teams that are back we actually finished last, but I've been really proud of (the players) since the season ended that they didn't hang their heads, they just said, 'Let's get to work, let's flip this thing.' ''
"You let it fuel you a little, but you're already fueled,'' WU standout senior safety Jordan Finnesy said about the polls. "All the guys, we're just hungry to get going and really just prove ourselves because at this point nobody's respecting us. Coming in with that fire every single day with the goal of flipping that (record) this coming season is a lot of motivation in itself. And as far as the polls I couldn't care less what those things say.''
Washburn, 1-9 in the conference a year ago, had 16 points in the MIAA Coaches poll, trailing preseason favorite Central Missouri, who had eight first-place votes and 80 points overall.
Pittsburg State was picked No. 2 by the coaches, followed by Northwest Missouri, Emporia State, Fort Hays State, Missouri Western, Central Oklahoma, Missouri Southern, Washburn and Nebraska-Kearney.
Centram Missouri was also tabbed as the favorite in the MIAA Media Poll, followed by Pittsburg State, Northwest Missouri, Missouri Western, Fort Hays State, Emporia State, Central Oklahoma, Missouri Southern, Washburn and Nebraska-Kearney.
Washburn will open the 2024 slate at Emporia State on Aug. 29 in Welch Stadium before facing the Colorado School of Mines on Sept. 14 in Yager Stadium.
2024 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Missouri [8] - 80 points
2. Pittsburg State [2] - 73 points
3. Northwest Missouri - 58 points
4. Emporia State - 56 points
5. Fort Hays State - 55 points
6. Missouri Western - 42 points
7. Central Oklahoma - 31 points
8. Missouri Southern - 24 points
9. Washburn - 16 points
10. Nebraska Kearney - 15 points
[#] - Number of First-Place Votes
2024 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
1. Central Missouri [20] - 254 points
2. Pittsburg State [6] - 231 points
3. Northwest Missouri - 199 points
4. Missouri Western - 158 points
5. Fort Hays State - 155 points
6. Emporia State - 145 points
7. Central Oklahoma - 94 points
8. Missouri Southern - 81 points
9. Washburn - 60 points
10. Nebraska Kearney - 53 points
[#] - Number of First-Place Votes
