HAYS, Kan. -- Trailing by 13 entering the fourth quarter, Washburn's comeback came up short in a 35-30 loss to Fort Hays State snapping the Ichabods' seven-game winning streak over the Tigers. Washburn will return to action on Saturday in the MIAA TV game of the week when they play host to Central Missouri on Hall of Fame Day in Yager Stadium.

With 8:05 remaining in the game, Hayden Groves scored on a 3-yard run capping a 12-play drive pulling the Ichabods (3-2, 3-2 MIAA) within 35-24.

After forcing a Tiger punt, the Ichabods scored again to cut the margin to five at 35-30 with 5:22 to play in the game.

Again the defense held and Washburn took over after a Fort Hays State punt at its own 20 and drove down to the Ichabod 41, but the pass on fourth down fell incomplete wrapping up the win for the Tigers.

To start the game the Tigers drove 82 yards on nine plays to take the 7-0 lead.

Washburn got on the board on a 48-yard pick six by Alec Steuber with the first of his two interceptions on the day. His pick tied the score with 4:12 remaining in the first quarter. 

The Tigers would score the next 14 points to go up 21-7 with 7:18 to play in the first half.

Perry Schmiedeler connected on a 35-yard field goal with 5:16 to play in the half cutting the lead to 21-10 to play. After another Tiger score, Washburn's Hayden Grove scored on a 39-yard pass play from Derek McGinnis with 22 seconds cutting the lead to 28-17.

In the third, the Tigers scored to go up 35-17 for the only score of the third quarter.

The teams combined for 921 total yards as the Ichabods finished with 455 while the Tigers gained 466 yards.

Groves finished with 87 yards on 17 carries and one score on the ground. McGinnis finished 26 for 45 for 280 yards and one score. Groves finished with 267 all-purpose yards gaining 87 on the ground, 72 receiving on seven catches and 108 on kickoff returns. His total yards was fifth on the all-purpose yard single game chart.

Shay Wooten led the Ichabods with eight tackles and Steuber had sven tackles with five solo stops and two interceptions. He became the first Ichabod to record two interceptions in a game since Willie Williams had two at Nebraska-Kearney on Sept. 5, 2013.