Washburn struggles at home in conference opener, loses big to Northwest Missouri State

TOPEKA (KSNT) — Washburn football (1-1, 0-1 MIAA) couldn’t overcome a slow start against MIAA foe Northwest Missouri State on Saturday at Yager Stadium, falling 34-7.

The Ichabods were stifled offensively in the first half, managing just 12 total yards before heading to the locker room trailing 13-0. 

Northwest Missouri State struck twice in the opening quarter — first on a 6-yard touchdown pass at the 8:19 mark (missed PAT) and again on a touchdown pass with 2:07 left to build a 13-0 lead.

Trailing 27-0 in the fourth quarter, Washburn’s Justin Lewis would find D.J. Bell for a 69-yard score to put the Ichabods on the board.

It would be only a consolation, however, as the Bearcats would find the endzone again, winning 34-7.

Lewis finished the day 14-30 for 162 yards, throwing a touchdown and an interception.

Defensively, J.C. Heim led Washburn with 15 total tackles, while L.J Minner Jr. had 13 and a tackle for loss.

Northwest Missouri had 495 total yards of offense compared to only 143 from Washburn. The Ichabods had -19 rushing yards.

Washburn finished the day with six first downs and was 1-14 on third downs.

The Ichabods will now hit the road and turn its attention to the Colorado School of Mines on Sept. 13. Kickoff set for 1 p.m. CT.