TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn Ichabods fell 38-27 to Central Oklahoma as the Bronchos spoiled the Homecoming encounter in Yager Stadium. The Ichabods return to action at Emporia State in the annual Turnpike Tussle.

The Bronchos took the lead with 6:12 to play in the first quarter when Darrack Harger scored for the only points in the first half. In the second quarter, the Ichabods tied the score on a 62-yard pass play from Derek McGinnis to Bryce Chavis knotting the score at 7-7 with 13:53 to play in the first half. 

After a punt by the Bronchos, Washburn turned it over on a fumble on its punt on its next possession and the Bronchos' Seth Hiddink hit a 31-yard field goal with 7:57 to play in the half taking a 10-7 lead after the short field for UCO.

Neither team would score until 40 seconds before the half when McGinnis found Michael Lickteig in the back of the end zone putting Washburn up 14-10 heading into the locker room.

Coming out after halftime, Central Oklahoma scored in three plays going up 17-14 and after a Washburn punt, UCO needed only five more plays going 29 yards after a big punt return to increase its lead to 24-14 with 10:41 to play in the third quarter.

Washburn responded with a 7-play, 75-yard drive when Hayden Groves scored on a 44-yard touchdown run up the middle pulling Washburn within 24-20.

The Ichabod defense forced another Broncho punt on their next possession and Brandon Bourbon scored on a 29-yard touchdown run putting the Ichabods in front 27-24 with 6:46 to play in the third quarter.

Washburn and Central Oklahoma traded punts and UCO took the lead for good on an 82-yard touchdown pass from TJ Eckert to Myles Tease with 2:47 to play in the third quarter. 

UCO increaded its lead to 38-27 on a 1-yard touchdown run with 2:43 to play in the game for the only points in the fourth quarter.

Peter Pfannenstiel had 12 tackles to lead the Ichabod defense and Jaime Myers and Alec Steuber each had eight tackles. Jordan Nelson had an interception while Akhmad Abdul-Razzaq had seven tackles and a sack.

Bourbon rushed for a Washburn-high 136 yards on 26 carries and one score and Groves finished with 93 yards on 15 carries. Chavis finished with 101 yards receiving on six catches to lead the Ichabod receivers. McGinnis was 9 of 22 for 120 yards and two scores. 

Washburn had 15 first downs in the game while UCO had 21, with two aided by Ichabod penalties. Washburn had 237 yards rushing and UCO finished with 175 on the ground. Through the air, UCO had 304 yards and Washburn was limited to 120. Overall UCO outgained Washburn 479 to 357.

The loss dropped the Ichabods to 4-4 on the season while Central Oklahoma improved to 3-5.