JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern Football (3-8, 1-8 MIAA) fell to Washburn (3-8, 2-7 MIAA), 29-24, in a closely contested Senior Day affair Saturday afternoon at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
The Lions wrap the 2025 season with a record of 3-8 overall and 1-8 in MIAA conference play. WU also concludes the campaign with a 3-8 overall mark and a conference record of 2-7.
Tillman Martin completed 15 of 24 passes for 223 yards, threw one touchdown, and carried the ball six times for 38 yards, adding two rushing touchdowns
. Ayden Robinson-Wayne caught four passes for 87 yards and scored a touchdown.
Nathan Glades rushed 20 times, accumulating 107 yards and caught three passes for 31 yards.
On defense,
Colton Bass led the Lions with 13 tackles and recovered a fumble.
MSSU began the first quarter by deferring the kickoff, allowing Washburn to start on offense. After a defensive stop on a fourth down, Southern took over at its own 34-yard line. Martin connected with
Draper Parker for a 12-yard gain, but the drive ended with an interception in the end zone.
Washburn capitalized on the turnover, effectively moving the ball with a series of rushes and short passes. Keller Hurla completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Henry Mohrmann with 32 seconds left in the quarter. Southern closed the quarter trailing 6-0, looking to respond in the second frame.
MSSU opened the second quarter with momentum, as
Messiah Smith's 19-yard rush set up a 54-yard touchdown pass from Martin to Robinson-Wayne, putting them ahead 7-6 after
Asher Huffman's successful extra point. Following a WU drive that ended in a turnover, Bass recovered a fumble forced by
RJ Hill, giving the ball back to Southern. The Lions' subsequent drive resulted in a 25-yard field goal by Huffman, extending their lead to 10-6.
Washburn responded with a methodical drive, culminating in a touchdown pass that reclaimed the lead, 13-10. With less than a minute in the half, WU added a field goal, bringing the score to 16-10. Southern attempted to close the gap before the half, advancing 30 yards on their final drive, but time expired with Washburn holding a 16-10 halftime advantage.
The third quarter began with Glades setting the tone with a 34-yard kickoff return, followed by a series of effective plays that moved the ball to WU's 26-yard line. However, the tides shifted following a Lions' fumble recovered by Washburn's Josh Grant, who returned it 83 yards for a touchdown, extending Washburn's lead to 23-10.
Southern responded with a determined drive, highlighted by a 16-yard run from Smith and an 8-yard touchdown run by Martin, narrowing the score to 23-17. After a defensive stand forced a Washburn punt, Southern regained possession, and Martin's 8-yard touchdown run completed an 81-yard drive, putting Southern ahead 24-23 as the quarter concluded.
Levi Darensbourg swayed momentum back to Missouri Southern early in the fourth quarter with an interception at the Lions' own 46-yard line. This turnover set up a promising drive, highlighted by Glades' 7-yard rush and Martin's 9-yard run, advancing deep into WU territory. However, the drive ended on downs at the Washburn 18-yard line.
Washburn capitalized on its possession, progressing steadily down the field. A critical 28-yard pass from Logan Madden to Trey Harmison moved the ball to Southern's 13-yard line. Madden then connected with Mohrmann for an 8-yard touchdown, extending Washburn's lead to 29-24.
Southern responded with a late offensive surge, starting at its own 35-yard line. The drive included a key 15-yard completion to Robinson-Wayne and an 11-yard pass to
Isaiah Padello, reaching WU's 17-yard line. Despite the efforts, the drive concluded with a fumble for the Lions, recovered by Washburn, sealing the game. The Ichabods maintained their lead, ending the game with a final score of 29-24.
MSSU's offense totaled 442 yards, including a 54-yard pass completion Saturday.
The Lions honored seniors
David Va'a,
Nathan Glades,
Draper Parker II,
Isaac Kittrell, Dmitri Lloyd, Huston Rotich, Hayden Sink, Trace Willhite, Zach Bergmann, Colton Bass, Deris Jackson, Andrew Portillo, Alex Curry, Torris Robinson, Faga'alu Siaki and
Michael Davis prior to Saturday's game.
Lloyd was also presented his
2025 MIAA Football "A Game" Scholar-Athlete award during the ceremony. He is a senior Mass Communication major with a 4.0 GPA at Southern.
