Box Score | Season Stats

TOPEKA, Kan. -- The No. 15-ranked Washburn Ichabods mounted a furious comeback in the second half with an 82-minute lightning delay in the second half but came up short as the No. 11-ranked Missouri Western Griffons scored late sealing a 36-33 win. Washburn will be back in action next Saturday at Central Missouri with a 1:30 p.m. kick time in Warrensburg, Mo.

After the Ichabods scored the first points of the game on a 47-yard punt return by Ronnell Garner, the Griffons would score the next 28 points to take a 28-7 lead into the break at halftime.Coming out of the break, the Ichabods forced the Griffons into a three-and-out and would then go nine plays covering 36 yards capped by a 28-yard field goal by Steve Ivanisevic.

On the Griffons' ensuing possession, after a pair of incomplete passes, Missouri Western's Drew Newhart was sacked in the endzone by Michael Hollins a dropped the ball which was recovered by Cameron Jackson for an Ichabod touchdown. Again the Ichabod defense forced a Griffon turnover at the Ichabod 39 as Patrick Myrick forced a fumble by Michael Hill which was recovered by Bryce Atagi and the Ichabods would then go on a seven-play, 61-yard drive with Vershon Moore scoring from 3-yards out with 5:09 to go in the third quarter. Simoneau hit Cameron Jackson for the 2-point conversion pulling Washburn with three at 28-25.

Then with the Ichabods getting ready to kickoff, the game was suspended at 8:12 p.m. for lightning and would not resume for 82 minutes later at 9:34 p.m.

After the kickoff, the Griffons took possession and after Newhart hit Terrell Downing for a 12-yard completion, Pierre Desir knocked the ball from Downing and Hollins recovered at the Washburn 44. However the Ichabods were forced to punt and Austin Hills' attempt was downed at the Griffon 5-yard line. On the first play of the Griffon drive, Newhart was sacked by Dakota Palan-Johnson for a team safety cutting the Griffon lead to 28-27 with 3:06 to play in the third quarter. The Ichabods outgained the Griffons 120 to 39 with seven first downs to one.

Neither team would score in the fourth until the Ichabods went up 33-28 on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Justin Cooper with 5:55 to play in the game. But the Griffons would go on for the go-ahead score on a 60-yard drive going eight plays on a 36-yard reception by Hill from Newhart with 1:54 to go with the Griffons adding the two-point conversion putting them up 36-33.

The Ichabods took possession at the Washburn 28 and reached the Griffons' 39-yard line before Simoneau's pass intended for Jake Iverson was picked off by Deondre Williams sealing the game.

The Ichabods outgained the Griffons 425 to 317 for the game as the Ichabod defense held Missouri Western to 118 yards of total offense in the second half. Washburn had 271 yards passing and 154 yards rushing while the Griffons had 260 yards through the air and 57 on the ground averaging 1.6 yards per rush.

Moore rushed for a game-high 114 yards while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Simoneau finished 21 for 40 for 271 yards with three picks.Hastings had four catches for 77 yards and Moore added five catches for 40 yards.

Defensively for the Ichabods, Hollins led the Ichabods with 11 tackles with eight solo stops including 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Michael Wilhoite had nine tackles. Jackson finished with five tackles, three of those tackles going for loss with a forced fumble and 1.5 sacks and the thrid quarter fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Newhart was 19 of 31 for 260 yards tossing four touchdown passes while being sacked six times. Hill finished with 130 yards receiving on five catches and the two touchdowns. Sean Whiters had nine tackles and Williams finished with six tackles and two interceptions including an 80-yard pick six for the Griffons.