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TOPEKA, Kan. -- The No. 8 Washburn Ichabods outscored the Missouri Western Griffons 31 to 7 in the second half while holding the Griffons to 111 total yards in the frame en route to a 41-20 win improving to 4-0 for the first time since the 1986 season.

The Ichabods scored on their first possession when Dane Simoneau hit DeJuan Beard on a fourth-and-ten from the Griffon 31 yard line putting Washburn up 7-0 with 5:23 to play in the first quarter.

Missouri Western cut into the lead when Greg Zuerlein hit a 28-yard field goal with 13:29 to play in the first half. On Washburn's next drive, the Ichabods drove down to the Griffon four-yard line but the drive stalled and Jeremy Linn connected on a 22-yard field goal with 8:46 to play in the half stretching Washburn's lead to seven at 10-3.

After a big return on the kickoff, the Griffons took over at their own 47-yard line and moved the ball to the Washburn 10, but the defense held and Zuerlein hit another field goal - this time from 27 yards out with 7:27 to play in the half cutting the Ichabod lead to 10-6.

On the Ichabods' next drive the Griffons forced a turnover, Missouri Western took the lead when Travis Partridge hit Adam Clausen on an 11-yard pass play putting the Griffons up 13-10 entering the halftime break.

In the third quarter the Ichabods retook the lead at 17-13 on a Sean McPherson 5-yard touchdown run with 8:43 to play. After a Devon Connors' interception of Partridge, Washburn then drove 60 yards in nine plays and Simoneau hit Tore Hurst on a 15-yard strike with 2:20 remaining in the third quarter. Washburn's defense held the Griffons to 16 total yards while the Ichabod defense racked up 207 yards while controlling the ball for 9:42 of the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Jeremy Linn put Washburn up 27-13 with a 36-yard field just into the period. The Griffons came right back when Partridge connected with Tyron Crockum on a 7-yard pass reception cutting the Ichabod lead to 27-20. However the Ichabods returned serve with a 53-yard, six-play drive capped by a Simoneau pass to Ronnell Garner from three yards out making the score 34-20. The Washburn defense held Missouri Western on their next drive on fourth down and Washburn scored six plays later when Simoneau tossed his fourth touchdown of the game - this time to Hurst from 30-yards out wrapping up the scoring for both teams with a 41-20 Ichabod lead.

Washburn recorded 25 first downs in the game compared to 17 for the Griffons while outgaining Western 473 to 276 holding the Griffons to the 111 second half yards. Washburn gained 113 yards on the ground and 360 through the air.

Simoneau finished 23 of 39 from the field for 360 yards and four touchdowns throwing to nine different receivers led by Matt Kobbeman's five catches for 89 yards. Justin Cooper led the Ichabods on the ground with 102 yards on 23 carries.

Jahmil Taylor had 13 tackles with two tackles for loss and a forced fumble while Willie Williams and Bryce Atagi each had 10 tackles while Atagi added an interception and two pass break ups.

Partridge finished 18 of 31 for 165 yards and two scores with TJ Fannin recording seven catches for 55 yards. Michael Hill had 57 yards on the ground on 19 carries.

Jeremy Weston had 10 tackles to lead the Griffons on defense.