PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University soccer crew will make its 2026 season debut Thursday (Aug. 27) when the Gorillas play host to NCAA Division II powerhouse Ferris State University.
Kickoff is about for 7:05 p.m. (CDT) at Carnie Smith Stadium with the competition airing on dwell tv – in the larger Kansas City metropolitan space on KMCI, 38 The Spot – to open a slate of season lengthy contests because the MIAA Football Game of the Week.
Pitt State enters the 2026 season with excessive aspirations following a 10-3 season a yr in the past. The Gorillas, the No. 4 ranked crew in the 2026 AFCA NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 ballot, made their fourth straight look in the NCAA Division II nationwide playoffs a yr in the past. Pitt State is in search of its fourth MIAA crown in 5 seasons (2022, 2023, 2025) after claiming a share of the 2025 MIAA Championship.
The Gorillas return eight starters from final yr’s squad, together with 5 gamers who acquired All-MIAA accolades a yr in the past.
Ferris State, a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), posted an unblemished 16-0 report in 2025 en route to capturing this system’s second straight NCAA Division II National Championship. FSU is the preseason No. 1 crew in Division II getting into the 2026 marketing campaign.
The Coaches
Tom Anthony enters his third yr as head soccer coach at Pittsburg State University. He guided the Gorillas to a 10-3 report in addition to this system’s third MIAA title in 4 seasons and Pitt State’s fourth consecutive NCAA Division II playoffs berth in 2025.
Anthony posted an 8-3 report and led the Gorillas to an NCAA-II playoff berth in his debut season as head coach in 2024. He has an 18-6 (.750) profession report main the Pitt State program.
Anthony returned to campus in December 2023 after a six-month absence to grow to be the Gorillas sixteenth all-time head coach.
He served as Pitt State’s defensive coordinator from 2020-22 below former head coach Brian Wright, serving to the Gorillas trend a 21-7 report and an MIAA title and NCAA-II playoff look in 2022.
Anthony was elevated to the position of affiliate head coach/defensive coordinator prior to the 2022 season. He helped trend one of many high defensive items in NCAA Division II throughout his three years with the Gorillas.
In 2022, Anthony’s Pitt State defensive squad led the MIAA in scoring protection (14.1 ppg) and ranked second in the convention in complete protection (282.6 ypg), dashing protection (93.0 ypg), passing protection (189.6 ypg) and sacks (31). The Gorillas ranked seventh nationally in scoring protection and nineteenth nationally in complete protection. Pitt State was certainly one of simply 4 defensive items to return 4 or extra interceptions for touchdowns in 2022.
In 2021, Anthony’s squad led the MIAA in interceptions (14) and the Gorillas ranked second in the convention in scoring protection (19.5 ppg), complete protection (341.2 ypg) and dashing protection (120.5 ypg).
This can be Anthony’s third match-up in opposition to Ferris State. He is 1-1 vs. the Bulldogs.
Tony Annese begins his 14th season as head coach at Ferris State. Annese (Alma College, 1983) has compiled a 153-21-0 (.879) report main the Bulldogs. He has led Ferris State to 4 NCAA Division II National Championships in the final 5 seasons (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025). Annese additionally directed the Bulldogs to a nationwide runner-up end in 2018. His Bulldog squads are a mixed 92-7 (.929) because the 2018 season.
Prior to assuming the pinnacle coach position at FSU in 2012, Annese posted a 30-4 (.884) report in three seasons as head coach at Grand Rapids Community College. This can be his fourth assembly vs. Pitt State. He is 2-1 vs. the Gorillas.
The Pitt State – Ferris State Series
This would be the fourth all-time assembly between the Gorillas and the Bulldogs in a sequence that dates again to the 2022 season.
Ferris State posted a 17-14 victory over Pitt State in the second spherical of the 2022 NCAA Division II playoffs in the primary battle between the squads on Nov. 26, 2022, at Big Rapids, Mich.
The Bulldogs went on to put up a 14-1 report and seize their second straight NCAA-II National Championship that yr.
Two years in the past, Pitt State ushered in the 2024 marketing campaign and the Tom Anthony teaching period with an emphatic 19-3 victory over Ferris State on Aug. 31 earlier than 10,189 followers at Carnie Smith Stadium.
The No. 6 ranked Gorillas compelled 4 turnovers – two fumbles and two interceptions – in the competition and restricted the No. 3 ranked Bulldogs 171 yards of complete offense.
Austin Schmitt tied the varsity single recreation report by booting 4 subject targets in the competition, connecting on kicks from 33, 22, 36 and 36 yards.
The Pitt State protection restricted Ferris State to one first-half first down. The Bulldogs managed simply 38 internet dashing yards on 22 carries. The Gorillas held Ferris State with out a landing for the primary time because the Bulldogs dropped a 20-3 determination to Ashland on Sept. 23, 2017, a span of 79 recreation.
Last yr, the Bulldogs scored a 34-17 season-opening win over the Gorillas at Big Rapids, Mich., on Aug. 28, 2025.
FSU’s Wyatt Bower rushed for a pair of first-half scores and tossed a fourth quarter landing cross to assist lead the No. 1 ranked Bulldogs previous the No. 9 ranked Gorillas at Top Taggart Field.
Gorillas at Home
Pitt State holds a 380-140-12 (.725) report in 532 video games inside Carnie Smith Stadium (together with postseason). The Gorillas have gained 178 of their final 212 common season house video games, posting a 178-33-1 (.842) report over the past 41 seasons.
Ferris State is 35-4 (.897) in its final 39 street video games courting again to the beginning of the 2018 season. The Bulldogs have gained their final 9 straight street video games with their final loss approaching Aug. 31, 2024, in a 19-3 determination to Pitt State at Carnie Smith Stadium.
PSU’s Regular Season Success
Pitt State has gained 350 of its final 423 common season video games, posting an exceptional 350-71-2 (.830) mark throughout the previous 41 seasons (1985-2025). PSU is 183-30-1 at house, 162-32-1 on the street and 5-9-0 at impartial websites in the common season throughout that span.
Gorillas in Season Openers
Pitt State has compiled a 73-40-5 (.640) report in season openers over this system’s 118-year historical past.
Since the 1978 marketing campaign, Pitt State has constructed a 39-8-1 (.823) report in season openers with a 24-5 (.828) report the previous 29 seasons. The Gorillas are 17-3-0 (.850) in house season openers since becoming a member of NCAA Division II and the MIAA in 1989.
All-Time Winningest Programs
Pittsburg State is the all-time winningest NCAA Division II soccer program. The Gorillas, who’re taking part in in their 118th season of intercollegiate competitors, have compiled a 770-368-48 total report, successful 66.9 p.c of their 1,186 all-time video games.
Pittsburg State is certainly one of simply two NCAA Division II establishments to have recorded 700 all-time victories and the Gorillas turned simply the thirty third program – the primary Division II establishment – throughout all ranges of school soccer to attain the 700-win plateau.
Tuskegee is second on the Division II all-time listing with 723 victories, adopted by Hillsdale (676), Carson-Newman (671) and Central Oklahoma (670).
Ferris State has a 530-446-42 (.541) report in 116 seasons of intercollegiate play.
The Pitt State Offense
The Gorillas will flip to a brand new sign caller for the second time in as many seasons. Redshirt senior Jake Wolff, redshirt junior Carson Trimble, redshirt sophomore Ethan Hansen and redshirt freshman Bobby Bacon all have grown in the Pitt State program, whereas incoming freshman (*1*) joins the aggressive quarterback room this fall.
Wolff (6-2, 205) has seen motion in seven profession video games over the previous two seasons for the Gorillas. He has accomplished seven of 9 passes with a landing and an interception in restricted motion for Pitt State. Wolff was a second-team All-Jayhawk Conference performer at Butler Community College in 2022, passing for 1,718 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Trimble (6-0, 200) has been utilized as an athlete for the Gorillas the previous two seasons. He tried one cross, made on reception and carried the ball seven instances in 9 video games performed a yr in the past.
Hansen (6-1, 190), a 2024 Pitt State redshirt, will search his first motion for the Gorillas this fall. He amassed 4,252 profession passing yards and 44 touchdowns at Rockhurst (Mo.) High School.
Bacon (6-2, 180) enters yr two at Pitt State following a profitable redshirt marketing campaign in 2025. He handed for two,183 yards as a senior at Iowa City (Iowa) High School in 2024. He compiled 4,380 passing yards and 38 touchdowns throughout his prep profession.
Middleton (6-1, 170) compiled over 1,700 profession dashing and three,800 passing yards for 53 mixed touchdowns at Red Oak High School. He was a two-time Texas Class 5A first-team All-District choice.
Up entrance, the Gorillas return a secure of veteran linemen led by redshirt seniors Kaden Degraffenreid and Peko Leasiolagi, redshirt junior Colin Beesley and redshirt sophomores Quinton Bradley and Manny Conley.
Degraffenreid (6-5, 305) and Leasiolagi (6-2, 305) every began all 13 video games for the Gorillas in 2025. Degraffenreid noticed motion in 10 video games in 2024, whereas Leasiolagi redshirted that yr after transferring to Pitt State from Alan Hancock College.
Beesley (6-2, 300) competed in 10 video games final yr, after transferring to Pitt State from the College of Holy Cross. Bradley (6-3, 285) and Conley (6-5, 305) additionally noticed vital motion in the trenches for the Gorillas in 2025.
Redshirt juniors Matthew Craig (6-2, 305), Max Hansen (6-7, 270) and Kaden Keith (6-3, 305) and redshirt freshmen Luke Harris (6-4, 310) and Brandon Taylor (6-3, 260) additionally deliver expertise and depth to the offensive line room, whereas junior Kyle Russell (6-2, 265) will look to be an impression performer after transferring in from Illinois College the place he was a first-team All-Conference performer a yr in the past.
In the backfield, the Gorillas welcome in a pair of transfers – redshirt junior Diego Cearns and junior DaeShaun Carter – to praise redshirt junior Dylan Van and redshirt freshman P.J. Wallace.
Cearns (5-10, 190) transferred to Pitt State in January from MIAA rival Emporia State University. He garnered honorable point out All-MIAA honors for the Hornets in 2025, dashing for 788 yards (5.3 ypc) and 7 touchdowns.
Carter (5-11, 190) comes to Pitt State from Hutchinson Community College, the place he averaged 6.1 yards per carry and scored a pair of touchdowns in 17 profession video games for the Blue Dragons.
Van (6-0, 170) is again for his third season in the Pitt State program. He’s performed in 13 video games and logged 44 dashing makes an attempt. Wallace (6-1, 211), who redshirted in 2025, rushed for 1,789 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior at Muskogee (Okla.) High School in 2024.
The Gorillas will make the most of a mixture of returners and newcomers in the large receiving corps led by a pair of All-MIAA performers in redshirt seniors Kuron Parchmon and Greyson Holbert.
Parchmon (5-11, 185) made 39 receptions for 603 yards (15.5 ypc) and 5 touchdowns final yr, incomes first-team All-MIAA recognition. He has compiled 84 profession receptions for 1,255 yards (14.9 ypc) and 9 scores. He additionally rushed the ball six instances for 87 yards (14.5 ypc) and one rating a yr in the past.
Holbert (5-11, 200) was a third-team All-MIAA decide final yr, catching 59 passes for 586 yards (9.9 ypc) and two touchdowns. He’s compiled 1,004 profession all-purpose yards in three seasons for the Gorillas.
Redshirt senior Kam Gillespie and sophomore Damien Long II additionally deliver veteran credentials to the large receiver room.
Gillespie (6-0, 200) has performed in 31 profession video games and made 17 receptions for 165 yards and three touchdowns. Long (6-0, 185) made a right away impression as a real freshman in 2025. He performed in all 12 video games and posted 12 catches for 149 yards (12.4 ypc) and one rating.
Newcomers T.J. Starks (6-1, 180) and Luke Coon (6-1, 180) additionally will look to be impression performers at large receiver.
Starks, a redshirt sophomore, transferred to Pitt State in January from Arkansas State University. He appeared in three video games for the Red Wolves final fall. Coon, additionally a redshirt sophomore, competed in 4 video games in 2025 for MIAA rival Missouri Western State University, earlier than becoming a member of the Gorillas in January.
Redshirt sophomore Khali Best (5-11, 181) and redshirt freshmen Jino Boyd (5-11, 185) and (*4*) (6-0, 185) will present high quality depth as effectively.
At tight finish, the Gorillas return an skilled core group led by senior Jaydon Knight, redshirt junior Luke Niggemann, redshirt senior Jaydon Hill and redshirt junior Eli Youman.
Knight (6-4, 240) began in all 11 video games he performed in 2025. He had eight receptions for 49 yards on the season and performed a key blocking position in the Gorillas’ run recreation.
Niggemann (6-3, 240) began a pair of video games final fall and completed the season with 9 grabs for 112 yards and two touchdowns. He additionally impacted the Pitt State floor recreation with 28 carries for 124 yards and three scores, incomes third-team All-MIAA honors. Niggemann enters the 2026 marketing campaign with 52 profession carries for 273 yards (5.3 ypc) and 10 TDs.
Hill (6-3, 240) enters his fifth season in this system. He noticed motion in eight video games in 2025 at tight finish and on particular groups. Youman (6-5, 245) performed in 10 video games, additionally contributing on offense and particular groups for the Gorillas.
The Pitt State Defense
The Gorillas return three starters from a 2025 defensive unit that led the MIAA in quarterback sacks (40), interceptions (15) and compelled fumbles (15) and ranked second in the convention in scoring (20.7 ppg) and fumble recoveries (11, T2nd).
Pitt State welcomes again a pair of starters on its defensive position in redshirt senior Ely Wilcox and redshirt sophomore Kiros Martin.
Wilcox (6-4, 250) earned honorable point out All-MIAA honors in 2025 after posting 35 tackles (14 solo) with 5.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 quarterback sacks, two cross breakups and a pair of fumble recoveries.
Martin (6-1, 290) began in 9 of 13 video games performed final fall, registering 32 tackles (15 solo) with 6.0 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 quarterback sacks, the highest sack complete amongst returning gamers from the 2025 marketing campaign.
Redshirt junior Micah Lindsey (6-0, 285) and redshirt freshman Trevor Meadows (6-3, 300) additionally will vie for motion for the Gorillas, together with redshirt junior Andrew Link (6-4, 275) who transferred to Pitt State in January from Missouri State University.
Redshirt senior Bryce Johnson, redshirt sophomore Elijah Morton, redshirt junior Jack Standlee (6-4, 280) and redshirt freshmen Kason Presley (6-3, 235) and Josiah Young (6-3, 260) additionally will determine in the combination on the defensive finish and leo positions.
Johnson (6-1, 250) is transitioning from linebacker to the leo place this fall. He had 12 stops in 2025; and Johnson has compiled 51 tackles and 6 cross breakups in 35 profession video games. Morton (6-2, 245) made 18 tackles in 11 video games final yr, with 4.0 tackles-for-loss and three.5 QB sacks.
Redshirt sophomore switch Max Adams additionally will look to be an impression performer this fall. Adams (6-5, 230) joins the Gorillas from Minnesota State University.
Redshirt senior Tae Shon McDaniels, redshirt juniors Max Dulansky and Isaiah Alexander and redshirt sophomore Osahon Ogbevoen all return to inside defensive position positions.
McDaniels (6-3, 290 made 22 tackles (13 solo), together with 9.0 tackles-for-loss and three.0 QB sacks. Dulansky (6-2, 285) contributed a pair of quarterback sacks and three.0 tackles-for-loss in 11 video games performed. Alexander (6-1, 270) and Ogbevoen (6-1, 360) added 2.0 quarterback sacks apiece, whereas Ogbevoen additionally recorded a Pitt State single season report 5 blocked kicks.
Graduate Zach Coenen and redshirt sophomore Blake Carr will lead Pitt State’s linebacking corps.
Coenen (6-0, 225) returns to motion from a medical redshirt season in 2025. He’s made 10 begins in 33 profession video games and compiled 63 tackles (32 solo) with 6.0 tackles-for-loss and three.5 quarterback sacks.
Carr (6-2, 230) burst onto the scene for the Gorillas a yr in the past in his redshirt freshman marketing campaign. He’s the highest returning tackler from 2025 with 79 stops (28 solo) to his credit score, together with 8.0 behind the road of scrimmage.
Redshirt juniors Cameron Wolfe and Jackson Young and redshirt sophomores Peyton Wehner and Billy Wolfe additionally will compete for taking part in time for the Gorillas. Billy Wolfe (6-3, 230) posted 20 tackles a yr in the past, whereas Young (6-0, 205) made 9 stops and an interception in 2025. Wehner (6-3, 230) began in three of seven video games performed and posted seven tackles on the season. Cameron Wolfe (6-0, 215) was a key particular groups contributor final yr.
Redshirt senior Aabiyas Wakes and senior Jasper Ogburn will present veteran management in a Pitt State secondary that can characteristic 4 new starters from the 2025 marketing campaign.
Wakes (6-1, 200) redshirted a yr in the past after competing in 22 video games for the Gorillas over the earlier two seasons (2023-24). He has 21 profession tackles, an interception and three PBUs to his credit score.
Ogburn (6-0, 190) has competed in 30 profession video games over the previous three seasons and has totaled 79 tackles, a pair of interceptions and 4 cross breakups. He posted 40 tackles, an interception and two PBUs throughout his junior marketing campaign.
Sophomore Quincy Miner and redshirt freshman Dontre’ Garfield (6-1, 190) are again to problem for taking part in time at cornerback.
Miner (6-2, 175) logged 11 tackles (eight solo), an interception and 6 PBUs as a real freshman in 2025.
Redshirt junior switch Eliajah Randle and redshirt sophomore switch Christian Farrow even have joined the Gorillas and can search to be impression performers. Randle (5-11, 185) got here to Pitt State in January after three seasons at Winona State University. He posted 35 tackles and 4 PBUs in 11 begins in 2025. Farrow (6-0, 180) noticed motion in 9 video games as a redshirt freshman at MIAA rival Northwest Missouri State University final yr.
Redshirt sophomore Spencer Ward, sophomore Quintin Kirby and redshirt juniors Mario Menghini, Micah Geary (6-1, 185) and Grant Sibley (5-10, 180) all deliver expertise to the security positions.
Ward (5-9, 200) made 22 tackles and an interception as a redshirt freshman in 2025. Kirby (5-11, 200) performed in all 13 video games as a real freshman final yr, posting 27 tackles, a compelled fumble and a fumble restoration. Menghini (6-3, 210) noticed motion in 12 video games in the secondary and particular groups a yr in the past.
Junior switch Jack Lanning and freshmen Jorian Guinn Jr. (5-9, 185) and Daijon Gaines (6-0, 200) additionally ought to issue in the combination at security. Lanning (6-0, 195) transferred to Pitt State in January from Coffeyville Community College the place he made 70 tackles, 10.0 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 QB sacks and a pair of interceptions over the previous two seasons.
Pitt State Special Teams
The Gorillas return a pair of gifted particular groups performers in senior placekicker Austin Schmitt and redshirt sophomore punter Tyler Antle.
Schmitt (6-1, 190) earned first-team All-MIAA honors and was tabbed the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year in 2025. An honorable point out All-America choice, Schmitt booted 19 subject targets final yr, the second highest complete in Division II (1.46 ppg). He has scored 225 factors in 29 profession video games (7.9 ppg), changing 40 of 56 (.714) subject targets and 99 of 101 (.980) of PAT tries.
Antle (6-0, 230) punted 48 instances for a 40.5-yard common final yr with eight 50+ yard kicks and 19 kicks positioned contained in the opponent 20 yard line.
Redshirt sophomore Hayden Koscicki is also again to deal with the kickoff specialist chores. Koscicki (6-3, 205) averaged 60.3 yards on 76 kickoffs with 36 touchbacks. He additionally has booted two subject targets and 9 PATs in 16 profession video games for the Gorillas.
Redshirt freshman Bryce Aldridge (6-2, 200) and freshman Lance Alderson (5-9, 200) determine to compete to deal with Pitt State’s lengthy snapping chores.