TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn Ichabod scored 21-unanswered points over the final 10:43 of the fourth quarter but it was not enough as the Ichabods fell 42-35 to Emporia State. Washburn will be on the road for the next two weeks starting with Fort Hays State on Oct. 8. Washburn's next home game will be Homecoming on Oct. 22 against Central Oklahoma.
Washburn (3-2, 3-2 MIAA) fell behind 14-0 midway through the second quarter but then got the offense on the board with a 1-yard rush by
Kellen Simoncic right before the half taking a 14-7 deficit into the halftime break.
After the Ichabods were forced to punt from deep in their territory to start the third quarter, the Hornets took over and marched 31-yards on seven plays to take a 21-7 lead.
Emporia State (3-2, 3-2 MIAA) added to its lead going up 28-7 with seven minutes to play in the third quarter, but the Simoncic hit
Peter Afful on a 77-yard touchdown pass cutting the ESU lead to 28-14.
The Hornets added two more scores stretching lead to 42-14 just into the fourth quarter. The Ichabods would then start their comeback with a 17-yard touchdown reception by Afful and after the teams traded punts,
Collin Wilson pulled down a 12-yard touchdown pass with 3:05 to go in the game as the Ichabods trailed 42-28.
The ensuing onside kick was recovered by the Hornets and the Ichabods again forced a punt. Washburn needed four plays as
James Letcher, Jr. capped a 50-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown catch from Simoncic with 1:54 to go, but the Hornets again recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock with three kneel downs to finish off the game.
Simoncic passed for 334 yards completing a school-record 35 of 48 attempts with four touchdowns. He passed the previous best of 34 set by Mike Atkins vs. Wayne Statein 1980 and
Mitch Schurig at Emporia State last season. Afful had 114 yards receiving on five catches and two scores. Letcher finished with 10 catches for 74 yards and one score.
Taylon Peters had 36 yards on nine carries.
Grant Bruner led the Ichabods with 14 tackles and
Derrick McClendon had eight.
The Ichabods were outgained 471 to 408 in the game outgaining the Hornets 182 to 39 in the fourth quarter.
