Box Score (XML) | Box Score (HTML) | Season Stats | Career Stats

TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn Ichabods fell 55-23 to Emporia State in the 109th meeting of the Turnpike Tussle dropping Washburn to 7-4 in the MIAA and overall in the season finale.

The Ichabods took advantage of an Emporia State turnover on its first possession and Hayden Groves scored from 3-yards out with 11:58 to play in the first quarter staking Washburn to a 6-0 lead after the point after attempt was missed.

The Hornets scored on their next possession going up 7-6 when Ray Ray Davis scored from 17-yards out on a pass reception from Tyler Eckenrode with 7:07 to play in the game.

Jeremy Linn put the Ichabods back infront on a 30-yard field goal with 3:55 remaining in the game first quarter, but the Hornets would score the next 41 points of the game during the second, third and fourth quarters to take a 48-9 lead with 6:20 to play in the game.



Washburn scored on a 22-yard pass reception from Joel Piper to Ryan Mertz with 4:45 to play in the game, but the Hornets scored again on their next play from scrimmage to stretch the lead back to 55-16.

Washburn wrapped up the scoring with 3:14 to play when Piper and Mertz again hooked up for an 8-yard pass play to wrap up the scoring.

Groves finished with 108 yards on the ground on 26 carries while Piper was 16 of 33 with two touchdowns passes. Mertz wrapped up his career at Washburn with seven catches for 86 yards and the two scores.

Defensively, the Ichabods were led by Bryce Atagi who had 13 tackles with nine solo stops and two tackles for loss. Corey Walker had two sacks in the game to lead the Ichabods finishing with six solo tackles.

Eckenrode finished 26 of 30 for 364 yards and four touchdowns hitting Adam Schiltz for eight receptions for 150 yards.

The Ichabods had 337 yards of offense compared to 595 for the Hornets, including 408 through the air.