The Missouri Western football team fell 41-20 against the 8th ranked Washburn Ichabods after leading 13-10 at the half. The Griffons managed just one scoring drive in the second half falling to 2-2 on the season and 1-2 in MIAA play.
Like all the games in the series the Griffons and the Ichabods played as close of a first half as they could. Both teams turned the ball over three times with Western losing two fumbles and throwing one interception while Washburn threw two picks and lost one fumble. The Griffons had 36 plays with 165 yards while the Ichabods had 37 plays for 162 yards.
The Ichabods opened up the scoring when Dane Simoneau connected on a 31 yards pass from DeJuan Beard on a fourth down play with 5:23 to play in the first. Western responded on the next possession going 45 yards on 11 plays with Greg Zuerlein connecting on a 28 yard field goal cutting the Washburn lead to 7-3 early in the second quarter.
The Ichabods opened its next possession with a 28 yard Justin Cooper run into Griffon territory. Simoneau connected on a 20 yard pitch and catch to Matt Kobbeman putting Washburn inside the Griffon ten yard line. The Griffon defense stiffened holding WU to a 22 yard Jeremy Linn field goal with 8:46 to play in the frame.
Western took control the rest of the half driving 43 yards on five plays with Zuerlein connecting on a 27 yard field goal with 7:27 to play. The Griffons took their first lead of the contest on their very next possession when Travis Partridge connected with Adam Clausen from 11 yards out capping off a 29 yard drive giving Western the 13-10 halftime lead.
Partridge connected on 11-of-16 passes for 122 yards and one touchdown. TJ Fannin had five receptions for 45 yards while Michael Hill rushed 13 times for 27 yards. John Brown led the way with five tackles.
Simoneau completed 10-of-20 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown while Ronnell Garner and Beard each had three receptions. Copper rushed nine times for 42 yards while Jahmil Tayler had nine tackles.
The second half belonged to the Ichabods outscoring the Griffons 31-10 on their way to a 4-0 start and 3-0 start in MIAA action.
The Ichabods took the first possession of the opening half 57 yards on four plays opening up a 17-13 lead after a five yard run by Sean McPherson. Washburn kept up the pressure when Simoneau hit Tore Hurst for a 16 yard pitch and catch capping of a 60 yard drive with 2:20 to play in the third.
Washburn opened up a 14 point lead early in the fourth when Linn nailed a 36 yard field goal putting the Bods up 27-13.
Western tried to mount the comeback driving 70 yards on 12 plays with Partridge connecting with Tyron Crockum from seven yards out cutting the lead to 27-20.
The Ichabods responded nicely connecting on a three yard pitch and catch from Simoneau to Garner and then a 30 yard pass from Simoneau to Hurst claiming the 21-point victory.
Western finished with 276 yards of total offense with 103 coming on the ground and 173 through the air. Hill had 57 yards on 19 rushes while Partridge rushed for 35 yards on 13 carries. Fannin had seven catches for 55 yards as Partridge completed 18-of-31 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Jeremy Weston led the defense with 10 tackles while Nic Burrell finished with nine.
Washburn had 473 yards with 360 coming through the air. Simoneau connected on 23-of-39 passes with four touchdowns. Matt Kobbeman caught five passes for 89 yards while Garner had 72 yards on five catches and a touchdown. Taylor finished with 13 tackles.
Western will hit the road for the second straight MIAA game when they travel to Joplin, Mo. to take on the Missouri Southern State University Lions on Saturday, October 1. Kickoff is set for 2:00 pm from Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
— MWSU Sports Information —