Washburn University Athletics

EMPORIA, Kan. -- Washburn erased an early 12-point deficit and relied on a clutch defensive stand in the final minutes to knock off No. 15-ranked Emporia State 20-19 on Saturday afternoon in the 123rd edition of the Turnpike Tussle at Welch Stadium. The victory snapped a five-game losing streak to the Hornets and gave the Ichabods seven wins in a season for the first time since 2021.

The afternoon got off to a rough start for the Ichabods. On Washburn's second offensive play, Emporia State tackled Jacoby Ogbonna in the end zone for a safety before adding a 28-yard field goal and an 8-yard touchdown pass from Jamison Sarver to Malik O'Atis to build a 12-0 lead midway through the opening quarter.

Washburn (7-2-1, 6-2 MIAA) responded with a methodical 12-play, 75-yard drive that stretched into the second quarter. Logan Madden guided the march and capped it with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Lewis Jr. with 11:17 remaining in the first half. The drive featured strong running from Cam Robinson and key receptions by Lewis and Ogbonna as the Ichabods trimmed the deficit to 12-7.

The Washburn defense then stiffened. Joshua Flash helped break up a pair of passes while Reece Watkins and Armani Carrillo also recorded pass breakups as the Hornets were forced to punt. Later in the quarter, Emporia State missed a 32-yard field goal, and the Ichabods capitalized. Dwayne Moorehead hauled in a 38-yard reception and a face-mask penalty moved Washburn deep into Hornet territory before Aidan Battle connected on a 27-yard field goal with 21 seconds left before halftime, cutting the Emporia State lead to 12-10.

Emporia State (8-2, 6-2 MIAA) extended its lead to 19-10 on the opening possession of the second half as Sarver found O'Atis for his second scoring reception of the day. The Hornets appeared ready to seize momentum, but Washburn answered with perhaps its most important offensive drive of the afternoon.

Beginning at its own 48-yard line, the Ichabods marched 52 yards in 10 plays over 5:29. Madden completed a critical fourth-down pass to Ty Weber, Tre Calhoun added a 20-yard reception, and Ogbonna hauled in a 14-yard catch to set up first-and-goal. Keller Hurla powered into the end zone from one yard out with 1:36 left in the third quarter, bringing Washburn within 19-17 after Battle's extra point.

The deciding points came midway through the fourth quarter. Washburn pieced together an 11-play, 40-yard drive, converting a third down with a 13-yard completion to Calhoun before Battle drilled a 33-yard field goal with 10:59 remaining to give the Ichabods their first lead of the day at 20-19.

The final minutes belonged to the Washburn defense.

After driving to the Washburn 13-yard line with under two minutes remaining, Emporia State appeared poised to reclaim the lead. J.C. Heim delivered the game's biggest defensive play when he burst through for a nine-yard sack of Sarver on third down, pushing the Hornets back to the 22-yard line and turning a manageable field-goal attempt into a much tougher kick. On the ensuing play, Al-Mani Jimerson blocked Brandon McCary's 39-yard field-goal attempt with 1:33 remaining, preserving the one-point advantage.

Emporia State received one final opportunity after the Ichabods were forced to punt, advancing to the Ichabod 20-yard line in the closing seconds. However, McCary's 37-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide right as time expired, allowing Washburn players to celebrate reclaiming the Turnpike Tussle trophy.

Madden finished 20 of 32 passing for 255 yards and a touchdown while adding 16 rushing yards. Robinson carried 21 times for 81 yards and totaled 84 all-purpose yards. Lewis recorded eight catches for 77 yards and the touchdown, while Ogbonna added six receptions for 77 yards and Calhoun finished with four catches for 52 yards. Battle scored eight points, converting both field-goal attempts in the second half and adding two extra points.

Defensively, Heim turned in one of his best performances of the season with 11 tackles, three tackles for loss and the pivotal fourth-quarter sack. Flash contributed two pass breakups and two tackles, while Keith Guidry added seven stops. Caden Rhamy recorded a sack and forced fumble, and the Ichabod defense collected seven pass breakups while holding the Hornets to just 4.3 yards per play.

Despite being flagged 14 times for 126 yards, Washburn controlled the game statistically, outgaining Emporia State 397-316, rushing for 139 yards, limiting the Hornets to 64 rushing yards and holding the ball for 38:12. The Ichabods recorded 24 first downs to 23 for Emporia State and converted seven of 15 third-down opportunities.

Washburn's victory improved the Ichabods to 54-62-6 all-time against Emporia State and completed one of the program's biggest wins of the season, overcoming an early two-score deficit, a season-high 14 penalties and a ranked rival on the road to bring the Turnpike Tussle trophy back to Topeka.

Washburn will wrap up the regular season hosting Missouri Southern on senior day starting at noon in Yager Stadium. Fifteen Ichabods will be recognized before the start of the game.