Joplin, Mo. -- The Washburn Ichabods scored 16 unanswered points and defeated Missouri Southern today 23-7 in senior day action for the football team. 

Southern (4-7, 2-7 MIAA) was led offensively by Collin Howard as the junior threw for 175 yards and a score on 20-37 passing. Kellen Cox caught eight passes for 107 yards and a score, while Cornell Gedward led the rushing attack with 31 yards. 

Defensively, the Lions were led by Justin Cowper as the senior had 12 tackles and two pass breakups. Skyler Vandiver had nine stops and a fumble recovery, while Nick Teer had seven tackles and a recovery of his own. Eric Willis, Dusty Bratzler and Kenny Smith all had six tackles, with Bratzler and Smith picking up a forced fumble and Bratzler recovering a loose ball. 

Washburn (7-4, 6-3 MIAA) picked up 385 yards passing from quarterback Dane Simoneau as he completed 25-40 passes and threw for two touchdowns. Kicker Steve Ivanisevic was good on all three of his field goal attempts converting from 31, 20 and 45 yards. 

The Ichabods started the scoring when Simoneau hooked up with Tore Hurst on a 47-yard touchdown pass to complete a five-play, 67-yard scoring drive with 12:58 left in the first. 

Southern answered back with it's own five-play drive when Howard hit Cox in the back of the end zone to tie the game at seven. Washburn would go ahead on the next drive as Simoneau hit DeJuan Beard on a six-yard pass and score to go up 14-7 at the half. 

Ivanisevic would hit all three of his field goals in the second half, the last one with two minutes left and it capped the second-straight 10-play drive for Washburn. 

Southern was out-gained 462-233 in total offense as Washburn converted 10 of 16 third downs. The Lions held Washburn to just 77 yards rushing. 

The Lions end their season at 4-7 and say good bye to ten graduating seniors. Bratzler, Cowper, Vandiver and Teer join Scott Langill, Cory Pope, Scott Clipp, Josh Woodard, Roland Thompson and Anthon Aiono in playing their last game at Hughes Stadium.