Box
Score
Topeka, Kan.. - Washburn University scored 38 unanswered
points after a Missouri Southern opening drive field goal, en route
to a 54-31 win over the Lions tonight at Yager Stadium in Topeka.
The Lions (0-2, 0-1 MIAA) scored first in the game as sophomore
kicker Andrew Gassen connected on a 40 yard field goal to cap a 14,
play 53 yard drive that lasted 5:13 to start the game.
Washburn (3-0, 1-0 MIAA), however, answered on their next drive
and drove 72 yards in 6:25 with a 1 yard run from Justin Cooper to
go ahead 7-3. The Ichabods then scored touchdowns on their first
three drives of the second quarter to go up 28-3. Southern was
driving late in the second quarter, but a pass from Collin Howard
was intercepted by Zach Watkins at the Washburn 12 yard line.
Watkins then ran the ball back to the 50 yard line before Toderick
Hunt forced a fumble by Watkins and the Lions' Isaac Norman
recovered at the Southern 34. The Lions, however, then fumbled two
plays later and Washburn capitalized with a one yard rush from
quarterback Dane Simoneau to make the score 35-3 at the half.
Washburn opened up the second half with a 33 yard field goal from
Steve Ivanisevic, before the Lions' Johnny Johnson scored on a
two-yard run to make the score 38-9. Ivanisevic added two more
field goals before Howard and Landon Zerkel hooked up for a 40-yard
scoring pass. Ivanisevic added his fourth field goal of the game,
this time a 24-yarder, to tie a Washburn record for field goals in
a game.
Daniel Thompson added two late scores to make the final tally,
54-31.
Freshman David Snell led the Lions in rushing with 55 yards on
nine carries for an average of 6.1 per touch. Howard was 18-29 with
two touchdowns, one to Zerkel and another to Thompson.
Defensively, Kenny Smith and Josh Woodard led the Lions with
eight tackles each, while Jarius Jarvis picked up a sack.
The Lions will be back in action next weekend when Southern
plays host to Emporia State at 6 pm in Hughes Stadium in the Lions'
home opener.