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HAYS, Kan. -- The Washburn Ichabods snapped a three-game losing slide with a 38-27 win over Fort Hays State Saturday night at Lewis Field in Hays. Washburn returns to action next Saturday in Yager Stadium when they will take on Nebraska-Omaha at 1 p.m.

The Tigers took the opening drive and marched 79 yards on 10 plays to take the early 7-0 lead with 9:52 to go in the first half. The Ichabods (2-3, 1-2 MIAA), who deferred after winning the coin toss, returned serve and scored on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Vershon Moore capping a nine-play, 55-yard drive covering. The drive started in great field position after Joe Ulmer took the opening kickoff as an up back and returned it to the Washburn 45-yard line.

The Tigers (3-2, 1-2 MIAA) scored on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Mike Garrison to James Walker with 1:52 to go in the opening quarter finishing a seven-play, 75-yard drive.

Steve Ivanisevic cut the Tiger lead to four at 14-10 on a 27-yard field goal with 12:31 to go in the first half. The Ichabod defense held the Tigers forcing a punt and Washburn would take possession and go 71 yards on seven plays as Dane Simoneau hit the first of his two first half touchdown pass hooking up with Joe Hastings from 17-yards out on a crossing route putting Washburn up 17-14.

Again the Ichabods forced the Tigers to punt and would wrap up the scoring in the first half on a Simoneau to Toré Hurst 5-yard touchdown pass. The drive covered 90 yards in 12 plays putting Washburn up 24-14 with 42 second to play in the half. The Tigers would drive to the Ichabod 21-yard line, but a 38-yard field goal attempt by Tyler Kimbrough sailed left and the Ichabods would take a knee to end the first half.

Fort Hays State and the Ichabods moved the ball in the first half with Washburn outgaining the Tigers 279 to 242 in the half.

To open the second half, the Ichabods pushed the lead to 31-14 on a 5-yard run by Moore wrapping a drive taking 63 yards on six plays. However the Tigers would come back on a 36-yard field goal by Kimbrough with 8:06 to go in the third quarter.

On the ensuing drive, the Ichabods went deep into the playbook as Simoneau hit a streaking Brody Schuler across the middle on a reverse pass out of the Raven formation putting Washburn up 38-17.

The Tigers would score near the end of the third quarter on a 40-yard field goal and add a touchdown as the only points scored in the fourth quarter on Mike Garrison to O.J. Murdock 6-yard reception.

The Ichabods would then run out the clock and wrap up the game with the 11-point win.

Moore finished with 171 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns to take game honors. Simoneau finished 11 for 21 for 222 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Hastings went over the 100-yard mark for the fourth time this season with six receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown. Schuler had six catches for 67 yards and the touchdown reception.

Defensively, the Ichabods were led by Jared Brawner who had 13 tackles with seven solo stops and a half sack. Jahmil Taylor had 11 tackles with nine solo stops on his 22nd birthday. Dakota Palan-Johnson had two tackles for loss and four solo tackles.

Garrison had 304 yards passing for the Tigers and he led the team in rushing as well with 76 yards. Beau Gadwood had 103 yards receiving on nine catches.

Washburn and Fort Hays State each had 26 first downs with 16 coming on the ground for the Ichabods. Washburn outgained the Tigers 465 yards to 449 yards ad 243 to 145 on the ground. Washburn was whistled for three penalties for 30 yards while the Tigers were called for two for 10 yards.