TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn Ichabod defense stood firm down the stretch as the Ichabods picked up an MIAA victory with a 14-10 Washburn Family Day over Central Oklahoma on Saturday as the defense forced three turnovers, came up with a second quarter goal-line stand, improving to 2-1-1 overall and 1-1 in MIAA play. Washburn continues MIAA play next week at Nebraska-Kearney.
Despite being outgained 359-202 in total offense, Washburn made the biggest plays when it mattered most. The Ichabod defense held the Bronchos to just 88 rushing yards on 36 attempts, averaging only 2.4 yards per carry, while forcing three turnovers and recording three sacks.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Washburn capitalized on a pair of miscues by the Bronchos (1-2, 0-1 MIAA) early in the second. First,
Reece Watkins forced a fumble on a catch by Andrew Carney that was recovered by
Jayson Green. Moments later,
Keith Guidry recovered a muffed punt at the UCO 16-yard line, setting up the game's first touchdown. Four plays later,
Quinton Renfro scooted in from two yards out with 11:57 remaining in the second quarter to give the Ichabods a 7-0 lead.
One of the biggest defensive stands came late in the second quarter when Central Oklahoma mounted a drive deep into Washburn territory. Following a 24-yard run by Jadaniel Nettles, the Bronchos had first-and-goal at the Washburn 1-yard line. Washburn stopped four consecutive rushing attempts from the 1-yard line, highlighted by tackles from
J.C. Heim,
Brody Hayes,
Jayson Green, and
Al-Mani Jimerson. A chop-block penalty pushed UCO backward, and after more defensive resistance the Bronchos settled for a 30-yard field goal from Bradley Thao, leaving Washburn with a 7-3 halftime lead.
The Ichabods delivered their best offensive possession to open the second half. Starting at their own 25, Washburn marched 75 yards in nine plays.
Logan Madden connected with
Tre Calhoun for eight yards, scrambled for nine more, found
Dwayne Moorehead for a 25-yard gain, and then capped the drive with a perfect 22-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Lewis Jr. for a 14-3 advantage.
Central Oklahoma cut the margin to four points later in the third quarter, but the Ichabod defense again delivered a momentum-changing play. After the Bronchos reached the Washburn 24-yard line,
J.C. Heim recorded a 14-yard sack of quarterback Jett Huff, forcing a fumble that
Keith Guidry recovered. The takeaway prevented another scoring opportunity and helped Washburn maintain control.
The fourth quarter featured more defensive heroics. UCO threatened late, but Washburn forced a punt after backing the Bronchos up near their own goal line. The Ichabods then turned away another drive when the Bronchos failed on a fourth-down pass near midfield. With under a minute remaining, Heim sealed the win by intercepting Huff and returning the ball to the Washburn 41-yard line, allowing the Ichabods to kneel out the clock.
Heim was everywhere for the Washburn defense, finishing with 12 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, and the game-sealing interception.
Brody Hayes added 11 tackles, while Green recorded six stops and recovered a fumble. Watkins forced a fumble, Guidry recovered two fumbles,
Daniel LaValley and Elijah Clark-Boyd combined for a sack, and Green added another sack as Washburn totaled three sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Offensively, Washburn leaned on a balanced rushing attack and timely passing from Madden.
Cam Robinson led the Ichabods with 41 rushing yards on 14 carries, while Renfro scored the game's first touchdown and finished with 22 rushing yards. Tight end
Ty Weber delivered a key 21-yard fourth-down run late in the third quarter on a fake punt. Madden completed 11-of-25 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Lewis caught two passes for 24 yards and the decisive touchdown, while Calhoun led the receiving corps with three receptions for 33 yards. Moorehead added a 25-yard reception and
Aden Canty caught two passes for 24 yards.
For Central Oklahoma, Huff completed 27-of-42 passes for 271 yards and rushed for the Bronchos' lone touchdown, but Washburn's defense limited the UCO ground game to 88 net rushing yards and forced the three critical turnovers that led directly to seven points and repeatedly denied scoring chances. Nettles finished with 33 rushing yards and five catches for 29 yards, while Tahkari Bethel recorded seven catches for 99 yards.
