TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn Ichabod football team traded blows early but couldn't keep pace in the second half, falling 45–17 to Emporia State on Saturday afternoon at Yager Stadium in the MIAA home finale for the hosts. The Ichabods will wrap up the season next week at Missouri Southern.
Washburn (2–8, 1–7 MIAA) erased a 14–0 first-quarter deficit with a pair of second-quarter touchdown drives to tie the game 17–17 before halftime. Sophomore running backs
Lucas Oitker and
Cam Robinson each found the end zone in the first half, knotting the score heading into the break.
After Emporia State (5–5, 4–4 MIAA) took an early lead with a blocked punt return and a 35-yard touchdown pass,
Aidan Battle put the Ichabods on the board with a 36-yard field goal to make it 14–3 late in the first quarter. Oitker capped an 81-yard drive early in the second quarter with a 16-yard touchdown run, and Robinson powered in from three yards out just before halftime to tie the game.
The Hornets regained control in the second half, scoring 28 unanswered points—two offensive and two defensive touchdowns—to pull away.
Washburn finished with 336 yards of total offense, including 137 rushing and 199 passing yards. Robinson led the way with 101 all-purpose yards (70 rushing, 24 receiving, 7 punt return), while Oitker added 94 total yards (63 rushing, 31 receiving) and his third rushing touchdown of the season.
Quarterback
Logan Madden completed 14 of 34 passes for 156 yards, with Nathan Lewis Jr. catching two passes for a team-best 51 yards, including a 37-yard grab.
Aden Canty added two receptions for 39 yards.
Defensively, the Ichabods were led by
J.C. Heim, who tallied 13 tackles, and
Kamble Haverkamp, who added 10. L.J. Minner Jr. contributed 10 stops and an interception that set up Washburn's first touchdown drive.
Emporia State held a 447–336 edge in total yardage and scored twice on interception returns in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Washburn's special teams were highlighted by Battle's 36-yard field goal and punter
Jake Zeller, who averaged 51.2 yards on five punts, including a 63-yarder.
Team Statistics
| Category |
Washburn |
Emporia St. |
| First Downs |
20 |
25 |
| Rushing Yards |
137 |
228 |
| Passing Yards |
199 |
219 |
| Total Offense |
336 |
447 |
| Turnovers |
3 |
1 |
| Time of Possession |
30:34 |
29:26 |
Individual Leaders
- Rushing: Cam Robinson – 15 carries, 70 yards, 1 TD; Lucas Oitker – 10 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD
- Passing: Logan Madden – 14/34, 156 yards
- Receiving: Nathan Lewis Jr. – 2 rec, 51 yards; Aden Canty – 2 rec, 39 yards; Henry Mohrmann – 3 rec, 29 yards
- Defense: J.C. Heim – 13 tackles; Kamble Haverkamp – 10 tackles; L.J. Minner Jr. – 10 tackles, 1 INT
- Special Teams: Aidan Battle – 1 FG (36 yards), 2 PAT; Jake Zeller – 5 punts, 51.2 avg (long 63)
