Ichabods repel Hornets with 28-10 win

For immediate release - Sept. 11, 2004
Box Score | Season Stats

TOPEKA - The Washburn Ichabods won their first MIAA-opening game since 2000 and defeated Emporia State in the process in the 101st meeting in the series with a 28-10 win in Yager Stadium. With the win the Ichabods improved to 2-1 on the season and 1-0 in the MIAA. The Ichabods will travel to Kirksville, Mo. to take on Truman State next Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Hornets struck first on the score board with a 30-yard field goal by Justin Gray. In what set the tone for the afternoon with the Ichabod defense, the Hornets managed just five yards on four plays after the Hornets took their first possession at the Washburn 18-yard line.

The Ichabods did not waste any time as the Ichabods drove 80 yards in five plays as Tyler Schuerman and Sam Sissom hooked up on a 36-yard touchdown strike that gave the Ichabods a lead they would not let go of.

The Ichabods would score on their next possession after Fletcher Terrell intercepted ESU quarterback Tad Hatfeld and returned in 69 yards to the ESU 11 yard line and three plays later Trent Hearn finished the dirve with a 3-yard touchdown plunge.

Emporia State scored on the fourth play of the second quarter to make the score 14-10 Washburn, but that would be the last scoring on the day for the Hornets.

Neither team would score in the third quarter and with 5:32 left in the game, Schuerman and Sissom hooked up again on an 86-yard touchdown pass on a third and 10 from their own 14 yard line to put the Ichabods up 21-10. After forcing the Hornets to turn the ball over on downs, the Ichabods would score one more time as Rawshawn Bland rushed for seven yards to put the Ichabods up 28-10 with 2:24 remaining. The key play of the drive was Sissom again catching a third down pass from Schuerman on a third and eight from the ESU 26.

Overall in the second half, the Ichabods forced Emporia State to turn the ball over on downs on four possessions and on three in a row to end the game. The Ichabod defense was on the field for 89 plays.

Grant Gould led the Ichabods with 18 tackles and Evin Beck had 10, including two for loss.

Sissom finished the game with four catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Schuerman was 10 of 17 for 237 yards and two touchdowns.

Combined there were 29 penalties with 236 yards between the teams.