EMPORIA, Kan. – The 119^th version of the Turnpike Tussle went the way of Emporia State on Saturday in a 38-23 loss. Washburn will return home for back-to-back games starting next Saturday at Yager Stadium hosting Fort Hays State.
 
ESU jumped out to a 21-0 lead after scoring drives of 70, 72 and 80 yards with the final score coming at 9:08 left in the second quarter. Washburn got on the board with 6:47 left to go in the first half when Connor Searcy scored on a 3-yard run up the middle capping a 48-yard drive by Washburn trimming the ESU lead to 21-7.
 
The Hornets (5-2, 4-2 MIAA) quickly scored on the ensuing drive going 75 yards in four plays in 60 seconds pushing their lead back to 28-7.
 
Washburn (1-6, 0-6 MIAA) wrapped up the scoring just before the half with a 34-yard field goal by Trenton Brehm.
 
To open the scoring in the third quarter, Brehm connected on a 40-yard field goal finishing off an 11-play drive after the Ichabod defense forced an ESU punt on its first drive of the half. The field goal for Brehm tied his career long set last season, also against the Hornets.
 
On Washburn's next possession after the Ichabod defense forced another Hornet punt, Washburn needed just one play as Sam Van Dyne hit D.J. Bell on a 69-yard touchdown strike cutting the ESU lead to 28-20.
 
The Hornets came back to stretch their lead to 31-20 with 14:47 to play in the game after a 30-yard field goal and after an Ichabod punt, ESU pushed the lead to 38-20 capping a 8-play, 47-yard drive with 10:36 to play.
 
Brehm then finished off a 14-play, 69-yard drive with his third field goal of the day with a 26-yard field goal with 5:27. On the ensuing kickoff, WU recovered the onside attempt, but was whistled for touching the ball prior to its going 10 yards as ESU started its drive as ESU took over leading 38-23 and would run out the clock picking up its third-straight win over the Ichabods.
 
Washburn was limited to 42 yards rushing as Percy Mitchell and Taylon Peters each had 15 yards. Eight different Ichabods caught a pass with Bell leading with 79 yards on two catches. Tyce Brown had a team-high five receptions. Van Dyne finished 18 for 41 throwing with 256 yards passing.
 
Julius Jackson had a career-high 12 tackles for lead the Ichabod defense and Caeden Spencer and Patrick Altenor each had eight.
 
Brehm tied career highs with his three field goals in the game and his 40-yard make
 
ESU outgained the Ichabods 519 to 298 running 83 plays compared to 74.