PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Washburn Ichabods' Jace Williams blocked a potential game-winning field goal with 30 seconds to play as the Ichabods survived 10 penalties and three turnovers in a 28-26 win at Carnie Smith Stadium. Washburn improves to 8-2 on the season with the win winning its fourth-straight game over the Gorillas and the fourth in a row in Pittsburg. The Ichabods will wrap up the regular season on Nov. 13 in Yager Stadium hosting Missouri Southern on senior day.
 
After the Ichabods (8-2) moved the ball to the Pitt State 11, Washburn fumbled with 3:24 to play leading 28-26. Pitt State (7-3) took over and drove down to the WU 16 before Cross Holmes 26-yard field was blocked by Williams securing the win after one kneel down by the Ichabods.
 
The Ichabods took the early lead at 7-0 after an interception by Peyton Lane set up the Washburn 3-yard line. Zach Willis scored on the next play putting the Ichabods up.
 
The Gorillas tied the score on a scoop and score with 8:54 to play in the first quarter to wrap up the first quarter scoring.
 
Pittsburg State took the lead wrapping up a 12-play, 71-yard yard drive going up 14-7 but the Ichabods came back on their next drive tying the score at 14 on a Taylon Peters 6-yard run with 6:26 to play in the half.
 
After a 22-yard field goal by the Gorillas putting them up 17-14, Washburn took a 21-17 lead right before the half when Mitch Schurig hit James Letcher, Jr., on a 12-yard pass.
 
Neither team scored in the third quarter and the Ichabods opened the fourth quarter with a 16-play, 93-yard drive finished off by a 5-yard pass and catch from Schurig to Letcher as Washburn went up 28-17.
 
Pitt State cut the score to 28-20 at a field goal with 9:05 to play in the game and on the ensuing kickoff by the Gorillas, the Ichabods fumbled the kick and with 6:58 to go, the Gorillas cut the lead back to 28-26 but the 2-point conversion failed setting up the final minutes for the Ichabod win.
 
Willis finished with 73 yards on 15 carries. Schurig finished the game 15 of 21 passing with two scores.
 
Letcher had nine catches for 128 yards and two scores tallying 219 all-purpose yards.
 
Defensively the Ichabods were led by Grant Bruner who had a career-high 20 tackles with 10 solo stops adding a tackle for loss. Kevin Neal, Jr. had 8 tackles as the team finished with four sacks and six tackles for loss.
 
Washburn was outgained 400 to 316 in the game and was flagged for 10 penalties for 106 yards while Pitt State had eight for 73.