Ichabods find heartbreak in last second defeat to Vikings
Sept. 9, 2006

Box Score | Season Stats
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The No. 15 ranked Washburn Ichabods second trip to Washington in as many years yielded the same result in another heartbreaking loss as they fell 16-13 to Western Washington. The Vikings' Robby Smith hit a 40-yard field goal with 2.7 seconds remaining pushing Western Washington to the win. The Ichabods will open up the MIAA season with Central Missouri on Saturday in Warrensburg with a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.

Western took a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter on a 24-yard Smith field goal that capped a nine-play drive. Washburn appeared to take the lead twice on its next possession, but a pair of Brill touchdown passes were both called back by penalties, and on the first play of second quarter, Connor Sabel missed a 35-yard field goal.

The Ichabods took a 7-3 lead on the opening possession of the second half. Two plays after a short punt and a penalty gave Washburn the ball on the Western 36, Brill connected on a 31-yard pass to Sissom to the 1, and Trent Hearn plunged over for the touchdown.

The Ichabods had taken a 13-10 lead on the opening play of the fourth quarter, as quarterback Jordan Brill threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ben Ramsey. A two-point conversion pass failed.

Smith tied the game with 2:32 to play, hitting a 33-yard field goal set up by a 32-yard completion from quarterback James Monrean to running back Calvin McCarthy.

Washburn then moved the ball to nearly midfield, but on a second-and-1 play, Western linebacker Shane Simmons dislodged the ball from Ichabod running back Trent Hearn, and safety Steve Davis recovered, giving the Vikings the ball at their own 49 with 1:51 left .

After the fumble recovery, Western moved 28 yards in four plays setting up Smith's game-winning field goal.

Washburn had a 414-279 edge in total offense, with Brill completing 15-of-29 passes for 330 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Wide receiver Sam Sissom had seven receptions for 214 yards for the Ichabods.

On the ground, Hearn had 68 yards on 22 carries to lead the Ichabods. Brill recorded his second straight 300-yard passing game with 330 yards completing 15 of 29 attempts.

Monrean completed 17-of-29 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown for Western. McCarty had five receptions for 79 yards and rushed 25 times for 71 yards.

After committing only two penalties in their opener, Washburn was flagged for seven for 65 yards and converted two of four trips into the red zone.

special thanks to Paul Madison, Western Washington's Sports Information Director, for parts of this recap