Box Score | Season Stats

TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn Ichabods knocked off Central Missouri 36-21 on Family Day in Yager Stadium improving to 4-1 on the season and 2-1 in the MIAA. The Mules drop to the same record. The Ichabods will play host to Fort Hays State next weekend at 1 p.m.

The Ichabods led from start to finish as they scored on a 21-yard pass from Dane Simoneau to Brody Schuler to cap a 11-play, 66-yard drive. After the Ichabods forced a three-and-out, Washburn's Ryan Mertz pulled down a 74-yard reception from Simoneau over the middle to put Washburn up 13-0 after the extra point attempt was missed.

The Ichabods wrapped up the scoring in the first half after Simoneau dropped back to pass and with no one open, he tucked the ball and ran up the middle for 19 yards capping a five-play, 57-yard drive.

Washburn recorded 312 yards of total offense in the first half with 213 coming through the air, while the Ichabod defense held Central to 136 yards.

After the break, the Mules scored on the opening drive 54 yards in eight plays as Anthony Stewart rushed four yards to cut the Ichabod lead to 20-7.

On the ensuing possession, the Ichabods were forced to punt and Austin Hills' 51-yard effort was fumbled by Randy Shepherd and recovered by Casey Curran at the Central Missouri 18. Six plays later, Vershon Moore, carried the ball to paydirt putting the Ichabods up 26-7.

On the Mules' next possession, the Ichabods Zach Watkins forced a fumble on Eric Czerniewski which was recovered by Ben Bianchino at the Washburn setting up the Ichabods at the Washburn 40.

With the Ichabods facing a third and 30 from their own 40, Cameron Kasel's pass to Moore was complete and Moore carried the ball to the Central Missouri 47 before Deonte Ball forced a fumble which popped into the arms of Mertz who continued on the play to the end zone putting the Ichabods up 33 to 7 with 3:08 to play in third quarter.

Central Missouri's Stewart scored his second touchdown of the afternoon on a 1-yard run completing an 8-play, 79-yard drive.

The Ichabods' Steve Ivanisevic connected on a 29-yard field goal with 5:21 to go in the game. It was his eighth field goal of the season.

Central Missouri wrapped up the scoring with a Zain Gower touchdown with nine seconds to go in the game.

Moore and Justin Cooper each had 55 yards rushing. Simoneau finished 14 of 25 passing for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Mertz finished with 165 yards in receptions and two scores on five catches.

Watkins led the Ichabod defense with 13 tackles including nine solo stops with two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Curran recorded 10 tackles with nine solo tackles and a fumble recovery.

Czerniewski was 32 of 52 for 283 yards. The 32 completions was a school record for the Mules.