Ichabods strike early to stop Orediggers 28-17

Aug. 27, 2005

Box Score | Season Stats
Golden, Colo.. - The Washburn Ichabods opened the 2005 season in fine fashion as they topped No. 14 ranked Colorado Mines 28-17. In the process, the Ichabods won their fourth straight overall game since the 1988 season when they won four straight from Oct. 1 to Oct. 22. The Ichabods will return home to open Yager Stadium for 2005 with a 1 p.m. kickoff against Western Washington.

The Ichabods jumped on the board early as sophomore quarterback Jordan Brill, making his second career start, hit Sam Sissom on a 62-yard touchdown strike. It was the first of three Sissom touchdown receptions from Brill as he would finish with seven receptions for 231 yards and lifted his career touchdown tally to 36, setting the Washburn all-time record. He also raised his career point total to 226, tying Troy Slusser for the most points in school history. Sissom’s 35 regular season touchdown receptions also ties Jamaica Rector’s (Northwest Missouri, 2001-04) record for most in MIAA history.

After trading possessions with the Orediggers, Brill and Sissom hooked up again for an 82-yard touchdown to put the Ichabods up 14-0. The Ichabods would increase their lead to 21-0 after Sissom caught his final TD pass capping a 7-play, 97-yard drive after the Ichabod defense held the Orediggers out of the endzone from inside the Washburn 10 yard line.

The Orediggers would rebound with a 50-yard drive right before the half converting a 38-yard field goal to cut the Ichabod lead to 21-3 at the break.

In the second half, the Orediggers jumped on the board on their first drive of the half to cut the lead to 21-10, but the Ichabods came right back with a 78-yard drive finished off by Trent Hearn’s 6-yard run, which would wrap the scoring for the Ichabods.

Colorado Mines added a touchdown late, but would not get any closer.

The Ichabods racked up 144 yards on the ground with Hearn going over the 100-yard mark with 21 carries for 106 yards and Ra’Shawn Mosley had 13 carries for 68 yards. Mike Odupitan had four catches for 57 yards and Jeff Scott had a career high 60 yards receiving with three receptions.

On the defense, the Ichabods created five turnovers, including two interceptions by Fletcher Terrell. Calvin Stuckey and Erin Beck each had interceptions and Terell Cobb had a fumble recovery.

Senior Grant Gould had 12 tackles including two sacks for the Ichabods, giving him 343 for his career, needing seven to break the current school record of 349 held by Tony Scollieri.