TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn and the Colorado School of Mines were set to settle a hard-fought season opener in overtime Saturday in a game that was the earliest start in program history before extreme heat conditions forced the game to be suspended, leaving the teams with a 16-16 tie. The draw marked Washburn's first tied game since 1977 and closed a contest that featured multiple lead changes and late-game drama before the teams could begin the extra period.
Washburn (1-0-1) took the opening kickoff as the Ichabods struck first drive of the game when
Logan Madden capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Lewis Jr. just 3:20 into the game. Mines (0-1-1) answered with a 43-yard field goal from Preston Kyle, trimming the deficit to 7-3 on the ensuing drive.
Washburn extended its lead just before halftime when
Aidan Battle connected on a 26-yard field goal following a 10-play, 80-yard drive that moved the Ichabods inside the Mines' 10-yard line. The Ichabods held a 10-3 advantage at the break after outgaining the Orediggers 233-167 in total offense during the opening half.
Mines took control in the third quarter. Joseph Capra found Nick Stone for a 24-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 10-10 with 8:43 remaining in the period before Kyle drilled a 43-yard field goal as time expired in the quarter to give the Orediggers a 13-10 lead.
Kyle's third field goal of the game, a 29-yarder with 5:34 left in regulation, pushed the Mines' lead to 16-10 after a 14-play, 51-yard drive that consumed more than seven minutes off the clock.
The Ichabods responded quickly. After forcing a punt, Madden led an 82-yard drive in just 1:12, highlighted by a 47-yard touchdown strike to Lewis with 1:48 remaining. The extra-point attempt was blocked, leaving the score tied at 16-16.
Mines drove into Washburn territory in the final minutes and attempted a 64-yard field goal at the buzzer, but the kick fell short and to the left, sending the game to what would have been overtime before play was halted.
Prior to the start of overtime, the wet globe temperature moved pass the safety zone, the teams were sent to the locker rooms and the fans were asked to leave the stadium. After nearly an hour delay, the game was called.
Madden finished 20 of 35 passing for 268 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Lewis turned in a career performance with six receptions for 141 yards and both Washburn touchdowns, including scoring plays of 28 and 47 yards.
Tre Calhoun added six catches for 57 yards while
Julian Stratford recorded four receptions for 56 yards.
Defensively,
Brody Hayes and
J.C. Heim led the Ichabods with 13 tackles apiece.
Gage Depee added nine stops while
Evian Thompson recorded a sack and forced fumble that led to a third-quarter takeaway.
Ryne Jensen recovered the fumble for Washburn.
Mines held advantages in rushing yards (147-76), total offense (361-344), and time of possession (36:06-23:54), while Washburn generated 268 passing yards and averaged 5.7 yards per play.
The Ichabods finished with 18 first downs and matched the Orediggers with two touchdown drives in a game that ended in a rare tie, the first for Washburn since a 7-7 tie with Missouri Western on Oct. 7, 1977.
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 The Ichabods will open MIAA play next weekend at Northwest Missouri.
