By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University football turned Hall of Fame Saturday into its best performance of the year, using six interceptions and forcing two more fumbles as the Ichabods scored 30 points off of Central Missouri turnovers and added a balanced offensive attack to take down the Mules 37-17 in Yager Stadium, notching their first MIAA win of the season.
Linebacker L.J. Minner Jr. had a pick six as Washburn forced eight Central Missouri turnovers in Saturday's 37-17 MIAA win. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The Ichabods, after winning the opening coin toss, took advantage of a Central Missouri fumble on the second play from scrimmage that was forced and recovered by Jordan Finnesy, setting the Ichabods up at the UCM 45 less than a minute into the game.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Logan Madden threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a TD in Washburn's 37-17 MIAA win over Central Missouri. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Making his first career start, quarterback Logan Madden capped an 8-play, 45-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter to give Washburn a 6–0 lead.
After the teams traded punts, Central Missouri cut the lead in half at 6-3 after a 36-yard field goal by Will Peacock cut the margin to 6-3 with 1:24 to play in the opening frame.
The Mules briefly went ahead 10–6 in the second quarter on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Donovyn Omolo to Rossville product Bo Reeves capping a 12-play, 81-yard drive with 8:24 to go in the first half.
But the Ichabods quickly regained control.
Ky Thomas had rushing and receiving touchdowns in Saturday's 37-17 Washburn win over Central Missouri. [File photo/TSN]
The Ichabods punted after the UCM score, but Josh Grant intercepted a pass at the visitors' 15-yard line and three plays later Madden found former Topeka High star Ky Thomas on a 9-yard touchdown strike, giving Washburn a 13-10 halftime edge.
The third quarter belonged entirely to the Ichabods as on UCM's first drive of the half, linebacker L.J. Minner Jr. jumped in front of a pass for a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown less than four minutes in, extending the lead to 20–10.
Central Missouri ended its next drive with an interception by Kamble Haverkamp and after he returned it 54 yards to the Mules' 21, the Ichabods needed seven plays to score again as Madden connected with Chase Allen-Jackman on a 6-yard touchdown pass, stretching the Ichabod advantage to 27-10 with 5:27 to play in the third quarter.
For the third straight UCM drive, UCM tossed another interception, with Finnesy returning the pick to the Mules' 25, setting up an Aidan Battle 49-yard field goal moments later to push the lead to 30-10 heading into the final frame.
UCM was picked off on its third play of its next drive, again by Finnesy, ending the UCM drive.
After an Ichabod punt, Central Missouri found the end zone early in the fourth to make it 30-17, but Washburn answered once again with a Thomas 8-yard touchdown run, putting the Ichabods up 37–17 with 6:57 to play to wrap up the scoring as the Ichabods snapped a four-game losing streak.
Madden completed 20 of 31 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns while adding 14 rushing yards and a score.
Thomas posted 87 rushing yards and 33 receiving yards with two total touchdowns and Allen-Jackman caught seven passes for 73 yards and a TD.
Defensively, Washburn Rural product JC Heim led the charge with 15 tackles (12 solo) and a fumble recovery.
Finnesy added nine tackles to his two interceptions, while Minner Jr., Braiden Lagafuaina, Grant and Haverkamp all had one interception.
Finnesy's two interceptions were the most by an Ichabod in a single game since Grant Bruner recorded two at Central Missouri on Sept. 8, 2022.
The Ichabods' eight takeaways were a school record, topping the previous highwater mark of seven set at Missouri Southern on Oct. 8, 2016.
Washburn will be back at home next Saturday, hosting Fort Hays State in a 1 p.m. MIAA contest.
