TOPEKA, Kan. -- On a rain-soaked Homecoming afternoon at Yager Stadium, Washburn's defense delivered a gutsy effort, but Fort Hays State escaped with a 13-10 overtime win on Saturday.
The Ichabods (2-6, 1-5 MIAA) struck first when
Ky Thomas capped a short field with a 3-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter after
Braiden Lagafuaina's interception return to the FHSU 20.
Aidan Battle's extra point made it 7-0. Washburn extended its lead early in the second quarter as Battle drilled a 32-yard field goal to make it 10-0 with 12:37 to go before halftime.
Fort Hays (5-4, 4-3 MIAA) finally broke through in the third quarter, taking advantage of a Washburn interception to score on an 18-yard keeper from quarterback Caleb Heavner. The Tigers tied the game later in the period with a 25-yard field goal by Zane Hall.
Neither team managed points in the fourth quarter as both defenses forced turnovers and traded punts in increasingly wet conditions. Washburn reached the red zone late but missed a 41-yard field goal attempt in overtime before the Tigers' Michael Polley connected from 34 yards out to seal the win, 13-10.
Thomas powered the Ichabods' ground game with 95 yards on 16 carries, averaging 5.9 per attempt, and added 16 receiving yards. Quarterback
Logan Madden went 16-for-29 for 101 yards, with
Henry Mohrmann catching three passes for 26 yards and Jaden Abongo Jr. adding 21 yards receiving and 38 on kickoff returns.
Defensively, Washburn's L.J. Minner Jr. led the way with 11 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and a forced fumble.
Kamble Haverkamp and
J.C. Heim each added six stops, while
Quay Wright and
J.T. Tillis recorded sacks. The Ichabods' defense forced four turnovers—two interceptions and two fumbles recovered—holding Fort Hays to 10 points in regulation despite the Tigers outgaining Washburn 308-228.
Heavner paced the Tigers with 117 rushing yards and 95 passing yards, while running back Curtis Douglas added 82 on the ground.
Washburn finished with 127 rushing yards and 101 through the air while punter
Jake Zeller pinned the Tigers inside the 20 five times, averaging 40.4 yards on seven punts.
The game marked the third time in the last six years the two teams needed an overtime to decide a winner.
Washburn returns to action next Saturday at Missouri Western.
Team Statistics
| Category |
Fort Hays St. |
Washburn |
| First Downs |
16 |
12 |
| Rushing Yards |
213 |
127 |
| Passing Yards |
95 |
101 |
| Total Offense |
308 |
228 |
| Turnovers |
4 |
4 |
| Time of Possession |
33:17 |
26:43 |
| 3rd Down Conversions |
6/18 |
4/15 |
Washburn Leaders
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