By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University football assistant Mitch Schurig and wife Taylor probably wouldn't have chosen football season for the birth of their first child.
Mitch Schurig
But baby Palmer Schurig, born on Sept. 11, had her own plan.
"One might say we didn't plan too well,'' Mitch said. "It was definitely a happy surprise.''
Mitch, who coaches the Ichabods' offensive line after earning All-MIAA honors at quarterback for the Ichabods, may be getting a little less sleep these days, but he gives his wife, who he met at Washburn Rural, huge credit for handling the bulk of the baby duties.
"I'm back at home for the second shift and sleep when the baby sleeps,'' Schurig said. ".Taylor's doing a great job at the house and holding it down and I try to help out when I can and where I can.
"You never feel more kind of helpless, but I try to be supportive mentally. It's definitely a switchup.''
Palmer is WU head coach Craig Schurig's third grandchild and third granddaughter, following daughter Sammie and son-in-law Evan Robinson's twin girls.
"We're getting out-numbered,'' Craig Schurig said. "Sammie said that: 'We're taking over the family.' ''
In addition to having big sister Sammie to lean on, the Schurigs and Taylor's parents are all in town to lend a hand to the new parents.
"Sammie's offered some great help, and our parents, too.'' Mitch said. "We have a great support system here in town so we try to get help when needed but also try to keep things under control and do things our own way as well.''
Mitch said he spends as much time as he can with Palmer and Taylor while also fulfilling his coaching duties.
"We meet around nine (as a coaching staff) so I try to get in around 8:30 and help out at the house from about 6 until I leave,'' he said. "Fortunately we don't live too far from campus and if (Taylor) needs help around lunch time after we meet I try to go home and see them and then meet with the O-line and practice.
"I head home right after practice ends to take over for her and help out.''
Craig Schurig said that Mitch does show the physical signs of being a new father.
"You can see his sleepy eyes when he comes in because with a newborn you don't get much sleep, so he and Taylor are working through that,'' he said. "You kind of operate on fumes for a little bit.''
Mitch is happy to report that Palmer is doing very well.
"She's doing great,'' he said. "We're definitely blessed for sure. It's one of those great blessings and pleasant surprises and you never know how much you care for something until this happens.''
Ichabods on road at Nebraska-Kearney
Washburn will be on the road to face Nebraska-Kearney at 2 p.m. Saturday, with both teams entering the game 1-3.
Washburn is coming off a 58-28 loss No. 25-ranked Central Missouri while the Lopers lost at Pittsburg State, 33-14, last Saturday
The Ichabods have lost their last two meetings with the Lopers and trail the all-time series, 17-13. Washburn had won nine in a row from 1986 to 2017, but have dropped three of the last four.
Taylon Peters has tied Brandon Rainer for seventh on the all-time rushing chart at Washburn with 2,205 yards. Peters' 472 carries is eighth all-time at WU and he needs 5 yards to move into sixth on the all-time rushing chart.
The Ichabods have played 12 true freshmen so far this season and have also played 16 redshirt freshmen.
TJ Davis leads the Lopers with 67.2 yards per game on the ground and he is passing for 191 yards a game while completing 62 percent of his passes for 764 yards and five touchdowns.
The Ichabods will be back at Yager Stadium to host Missouri Western on Oct. 7 as part of the Ichabod Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony with a 3 p.m. kickoff following the HOF induction ceremony at 10 a.m.
