KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - The Washburn Ichabods opened the 2026 season with a 27-21 road win over Truman State on Saturday night, controlling the game for most of the contest behind a balanced offense and a defense that repeatedly delivered momentum-changing plays. The Ichabods built a 27-7 lead early in the fourth quarter and improved to 1-0. The Ichabods will be back in action next Saturday, opening the Yager Stadium home slate hosting Colorado School of Mines at noon.
Washburn finished with 446 yards of total offense, 27 first downs and held the ball for 37:08 while forcing two turnovers. The Ichabods limited Truman State to just 183 total yards through the first three quarters, allowing only one touchdown during that span while building a 24-7 advantage.
After Truman State scored on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Hair to Adam Hall in the first quarter, Washburn's defense stopped another Bulldog scoring threat when quarterback Dylan Hair fumbled at the Washburn 13-yard line. Defensive lineman
Malo Mata'u recovered the loose ball to keep the deficit at seven.
The Ichabods answered in the second quarter when
Cam Robinson capped an eight-play, 65-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7.
Washburn took the lead for good on its next scoring drive as
Logan Madden connected with
Dwayne Moorehead on a 27-yard touchdown pass, finishing an 11-play, 76-yard march.
Aidan Battle added a 24-yard field goal with 15 seconds remaining before halftime, sending Washburn into the break with a 17-7 lead.
The biggest offensive play of the night came midway through the third quarter when Madden found
Tre Calhoun behind the Truman State secondary for a 45-yard touchdown pass, extending the Ichabod lead to 24-7.
The defense came up with another takeaway later in the third quarter. With Truman State driving inside Washburn territory,
Braiden Lagafuaina forced a fumble from Nathan Ryan and
Cortlin Dalton recovered at the Washburn 28-yard line, ending a Bulldog scoring threat.
Battle connected on a 34-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to push the lead to 27-7. Truman State scored twice in the final 12 minutes, but the Ichabods ran out the final 1:40 to secure the victory.
Brody Hayes led the team with 10 tackles while
J.C. Heim added eight tackles and a sack.
Gage Depee recorded seven tackles, while Lagafuaina forced a fumble.
Al-Mani Jimerson and Heim each recorded sacks.
Madden completed 28 of 38 passes for a career-high 328 yards and two touchdowns while adding 24 rushing yards. Calhoun led all receivers with seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. Nathan Lewis Jr. added nine receptions for 72 yards, while Moorehead finished with three catches for 38 yards and a score. Robinson rushed for 44 yards and a touchdown, while Quinton Renfro added 54 rushing yards.
Washburn Team Statistics
- 446 total yards
- 118 rushing yards
- 328 passing yards
- 27 first downs
- 37:08 possession time
- 7-for-15 on third down
- 2 sacks
- 2 turnovers forced
Truman State Team Statistics
- 385 total yards
- 78 rushing yards
- 307 passing yards
- 18 first downs
- 12:48 possession time
- 4-for-9 on third down
- 2 turnovers lost
Washburn Leaders
- Logan Madden: 28-of-38 passing, 328 yards, 2 TD
- Tre Calhoun: 7 receptions, 117 yards, TD
- Nathan Lewis Jr.: 9 receptions, 72 yards
- Dwayne Moorehead: 3 receptions, 38 yards, TD
- Quinton Renfro: 10 carries, 54 yards
- Cam Robinson: 10 carries, 44 yards, TD
- Brody Hayes: 10 tackles
- J.C. Heim: 8 tackles, 1 sack
- Gage Depee: 7 tackles
- Braiden Lagafuaina: 5 tackles, forced fumble
- Cortlin Dalton: fumble recovery
- Malo Mata'u: fumble recovery
Truman State Leaders
- Dylan Hair: 22-of-29 passing, 307 yards, 3 TD
- Madden Irving: 10 carries, 49 yards
- Jackson Overton: 6 receptions, 68 yards
- Jalen Kent: 2 receptions, 64 yards
- Nathan Ryan: 7 receptions, 53 yards, TD
- Vance Herring: 3 receptions, 50 yards, TD
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