Washburn University Athletics

TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn closed out the regular season with its eighth victory of the year, defeating Missouri Southern 28-20 on Senior Day at Yager Stadium at Moore Bowl. The Ichabods finished the regular season 8-2-1 overall and 7-2 in MIAA play, marking their most wins in a season since recording nine victories in 2021. Washburn's win coupled with Emporia State's loss at Fort Hays State leaves the Ichabods second in the final MIAA standings.

The Ichabods, who entered the final week of the regular season sitting seventh in the NCAA Region Four NPI poll, will now discover its postseason fate at the playoff selection show scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sunday night.

Washburn struck first midway through the opening quarter, marching 66 yards on nine plays before Cam Robinson capped the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run. Andrew Battle's extra point gave the Ichabods a 7-0 lead with 9:00 remaining in the first quarter.

After Missouri Southern trimmed the lead to 7-3 on a field goal, the Ichabod defense delivered the game's first momentum swing. Early in the second quarter, Cortlin Dalton stepped in front of a Lion pass and returned the interception 82 yards for a touchdown, extending the Washburn lead to 14-3 with 8:45 to play in the opening half.

The Lions answered with a short touchdown run, but Logan Madden directed another scoring drive before halftime. Madden connected with Tre Calhoun on a 21-yard touchdown pass with 1:16 left in the second quarter, helping Washburn take a 21-13 advantage into the break after a short field goal as time expired for Missouri Southern (4-7, 3-6 MIAA).

Missouri Southern broke a scoreless third quarter with 1:54 to play in the frame taking advantage of the Ichabods' second muffed punt of the afternoon and needed just one play cutting the Ichabod lead to one at 21-10.

The Ichabods then put together a decisive 18-play, 86-yard drive that consumed 7:49 of clock. The drive was the longest by plays of the season and nearly the longest drive in time of possession of the season as the Ichabods converted six first downs en route to Keller Hurla's one-yard touchdown plunge with 2:45 remaining, stretching the advantage to its final 28-20 margin.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Lions fumbled the return forced by Keenan Schartz and Emeka Ogbonna pounced on the ball to return possession to Washburn. After a first down, the Ichabods hit victory formation and wrapped up the win.

Turnovers proved pivotal in the victory. Washburn forced two interceptions and turned one directly into points on Dalton's 82-yard return for a touchdown.
Madden completed 18 of 26 passes for 176 yards and one touchdown while also rushing for 14 yards. Nathan Lewis Jr. hauled in 10 receptions for 99 yards to lead all receivers, while Calhoun recorded three catches for 41 yards and the touchdown. On the ground, Robinson rushed for 50 yards and a score, while Hurla added 23 yards and the game-clinching touchdown. Washburn totaled 362 yards of offense, including 209 through the air and 153 on the ground.

Defensively, J.C. Heim led the Ichabods with a game-high 11 tackles, while Brody Hayes added eight stops. Joshua Flash and Gage Depee each recorded six tackles, and Depee also registered a tackle for loss. Dalton's interception return highlighted a defensive effort that limited Missouri Southern to 254 yards of offense and just 101 passing yards.

Missouri Southern was led by Allen Mitchell, who rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Quarterback Tillman Martin completed 10 of 21 passes for 101 yards but was intercepted twice. Nathan Lewis Jr. paced the Lions receiving corps with 99 yards on 10 catches.

The Ichabods controlled several key statistical categories, converting 8 of 14 third-down attempts, holding the ball for nearly 30 minutes and finishing with a 362-254 advantage in total offense.

Notes:
• The win--moved the Ichabods' record to 8-2-1 on the season … moved the Ichabods to 30-22-1 all-time against Missouri Southern and was third win in a row over the Lions … was the second win in a row in Topeka over the Lions … gave the Ichabods eight wins in a season for the first time since tallying nine overall during the 2021 season when the Ichabods were 9-3 in their last NCAA Playoff appearance … made the Ichabods 4-0-1 in games in Yager Stadium this season.
• Cortlin Dalton recorded his first interception of his career scoring his first collegiate touchdown with the 82-yard return – his interception was the longest return since his head coach Zach Watkins returned one 80 yards against Truman on Oct. 18, 2008.
• Everett Grower's 26-yard pass to Jackson Morris on a fake punt converted a fourth down.
• Nathan Lewis, Jr., had a career-high 10 receptions.
• The 147 interception return yards was the most by an Ichabod team since recorded 114 against Missouri Southern on Sept. 12, 2009.
• Logan Madden's 216 pass completions is third all-time on the Ichabod single season chart and his 2,874 passing yards is fourth on the single season chart.
• Logan Madden's 2,952 total offensive yards is third on the Ichabod single season chart.
• J.C. Heim's 144 tackles (79 solo) is second on the Ichabod single season chart behind Bill Guidetti's 152 total tackles set in 1984.
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