ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Washburn Ichabod football team picked up its first win of the season in a 24-16 win over Missouri Western. The Ichabods return to action on Saturday, hosting Northwest Missouri as part of Hall of Fame next week in Yager Stadium.
 
After the teams traded punts, the Ichabod defense forced a turnover on downs and the Ichabods (1-3, 1-2 MIAA) took the 7-0 lead on a nine-play, 60-yard drive when Keller Hurla converted a third and 13 for a 23-yard run for the score.
 
The Ichabods' drive stalled, but on Western's first play from scrimmage, DeAndre Washington picked off a Kody Kirk pass ending the Griffon drive, but the Ichabod drive stalled at midfield returning possession back to the Griffons.
 
Western (2-3, 2-3 MIAA) would get on the board with 2:58 left in the opening half with a 52-yard field goal by Cody Watson cutting Washburn's lead to 7-3. Washburn came up empty on its next drive and Western would march 84 yards in three plays to take a 10-7 lead with under a minute to play taking a 3-point lead into the locker room.
 
Receiving the ball in the second half, the Ichabods went 69 yards in nine plays capped by a Lucas Oitker 1-yard touchdown run to regain the lead at 14-10 with 10:14 to play. On the ensuing Griffon drive, Daniel Chavez recorded a quarterback sack forcing a fumble that was recovered by L.J. Minner, Jr.,  setting up a 42-yard field goal by Trenton Brehm pushing the lead to 17-10 with 7:01 to go in the third quarter.
 
Again the Ichabod defense stymied the Griffons with a punt and Washburn went up 24-10 after an 8-yard touchdown run by Cam Robinson marching 99-yards on 10 plays using 5:19 off the clock.
 
Missouri Western cut the lead to 24-13 after a 42-yard field goal using a 10-play yard drive.
 
Washburn fumbled the ball on its next possession, but the Ichabod defense again stopped the Griffons on a fourth down play. Washburn's next drive came up empty and Western kicked a 30-yard field goal with 94 seconds to play.
 
With Washburn leading 24-16, Cole Keller recovered the Griffon onside kickoff as the Ichabods snapped the winless streak to start the season.
 
Hurla led the Ichabods on the ground with 66 yards rushing and one score while passing for 218 yards, completing 19 of 28 passes. Hurla connected with nine different receivers led by Maury Sullivan with 61 yards on four catches, D.J. Bell had five for 58 yards, and Tre Richardson had four for 51 yards.
 
Defensively, the Ichabods were led by L.J. Minner, Jr, with nine tackles and Caeden Spencer added five tackles with two for loss, and Chase McCoy had four tackles including two sacks.

The Griffon defense also led the MIAA in tackles for loss and sacks, but the Ichabod offensive line limited the Griffons to one sack and two tackles for loss.