Box Score | Season Stats | Photogallery
EMPORIA, Kan. -- The 104th meeting of the Turnpike Tussle went to the Washburn Ichabods as Brandon Walker rushed for 153 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns in a 31-21 win. With the win, Washburn improves to 5-2, 4-1 in the MIAA. The Ichabods will return home next weekend as they play host to Truman for homecoming festivities.
The Ichabods scored first as Drameagon Powers pulled in a 44-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Brill at the 9:28 mark of the first quarter.
The Hornets answered on their next drive as quarterback Andre Sloan El rushed in from 3-yards out with 7:34 on the clock in the first quarter. On the Ichabods next possession, Ra'Shawn Mosley capped an 8-play, 54-yard drive to put the Ichabods up 14-7.
The Ichabods scored the only points of the second quarter as Andrew Knight connected on a 25-yard field goal with 3:22 left in the half putting Washburn up 17-7.
Neither team could put any points on the board in the third quarter, but it set up a wild fourth quarter with the team combining for 28 points.
ESU's Seville Ko scored on a 9-yard touchdown run with 14:12 left in the game, but his extra point was blocked by Ben Bianchino, leaving Washburn with a 17-13 lead.
Walker rushed for his first touchdown in the quarter as he went over right end for a 70-yard touchdown run putting the Ichabods up 24-13. The Hornets would come back on their next drive chewing up 7:04 off the clock going 68-yards in 16 plays cutting the lead to 24-21 after the two point conversion was successful after Sloan El's 2-yard run.
The Ichabods' Walker scored his second TD of the quarter going around left end this time galloping 68 yards putting Washburn up 31-21.
Washburn iced the game on ESU's drive final drive when, Bruce Ringwood caused a fumble and Eric Butler fell on it and the Ichabods ran out the clock for the 10-point win.
Walker led the Ichabods with his 153 yards on the ground and Mosley rushed for 93 yards on 21 carries and one touchdown while Washburn finished with 254 yards on the ground on 38 carries and three touchdowns. The Ichabods had 10 receivers with at least one reception and Trent Stepps had two. Ben Boswell had four punts for 178 yards including a 63-yard kick in the third quarter.
Ringwood and Zach Watkins each had 11 tackles to lead the Ichabods and Ray Trice had a career-high 10 tackles, including one for loss.
The Ichabods recorded 412 yards of offense while the Hornets had 435. Washburn was 0 for 10 on third down conversions, but were 3 of 4 on fourth down.