By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Washburn Ichabod football team picked up its first win of the 2024 season in a 24-16 MIAA decision over Missouri Western Saturday in St. Joseph, Mo.
Washburn's defense limited Missouri Western to a single touchdown while picking up its first win of 2024 with a 24-16 road victory. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
After the teams traded punts, the Ichabod defense forced a turnover on downs and the Ichabods (1-3 overall, 1-2 MIAA) took a 7-0 lead to cap a nine-play, 60-yard drive when quarterback Keller Hurla converted a 3rd-and-13 for a 23-yard run for the score.
Western (2-3, 2-3) would get on the board with 2:58 left in the opening half on a 52-yard field goal by Cody Watson, cutting Washburn's lead to 7-3.
Washburn came up empty on its next drive and the Griffons would march 84 yards in three plays to take a 10-7 lead with under a minute to play in the opening half.
Receiving the ball in the second half, the Ichabods went 69 yards in nine plays, capped by a Lucas Oitker 1-yard touchdown run to regain the lead at 14-10 with 10:14 to play in the third quarter.
On the ensuing Griffon drive, WU's Daniel Chavez recorded a quarterback sack, forcing a fumble that was recovered by L.J. Minner Jr., setting up a 42-yard field goal by Trenton Brehm to push the Ichabod lead to 17-10 with 7:01 to go in the third.
Again the Ichabod defense stymied the Griffons to force a punt, Washburn went up 24-10 after an 8-yard touchdown run by Cam Robinson, marching 99 yards in 10 plays while taking 5:19 off the clock.
Missouri Western cut the lead to 24-13 after a 42-yard field goal using a 10-play yard drive.
Washburn fumbled the ball on its next possession, but the Ichabod defense again stopped the Griffons on a 4th-down play.
Washburn's next drive came up empty and Western kicked a 30-yard field goal with 94 seconds to play.
With Washburn leading 24-16, Cole Keller recovered the Griffons' onside kickoff and the Ichabods ran out the clock to snap the winless streak to start the season.
Quarterback Keller Hurla ran for a touchdown and threw for 218 yards in Washburn's 24-16 MIAA road win over Missouri Western. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Hurla led the Ichabods on the ground with 66 yards rushing and one score while passing for 218 yards, completing 19 of 28 passes.
Hurla connected with nine different receivers, led by Maury Sullivan with 61 yards on four catches. D.J. Bell had five grabs for 58 yard and Tre Richardson had four catches for 51 yards.
Defensively, the Ichabods were led by Minner with nine tackles while Caeden Spender added five tackles with two for loss and Chase McCoy had four tackles, including two sacks.
The Griffon defense led the MIAA in tackles for loss and sacks, but the Ichabod offensive line limited the Griffons to one sack and two tackles for loss.
The Ichabods return to action on Saturday, hosting Northwest Missouri as part of Hall of Fame next week in Yager Stadium.
