Ichabods burn Lions for 29-28 comeback win

Box Score | Season Stats

September 22, 2001

TOPEKA. - In what was nothing new for the Ichabod-Lion series, it went down to the final possession as Washburn scored its fourth straight win over the Lions 29-28 Saturday night in Moore Bowl. It marked the fifth straight season the winning team scored on the games' final possession. The winning drive watched the Ichabods travel 80 yards in eight plays wrapping up with a Colon McNeal 5-yard touchdown reception with seven seconds left and a two-point conversion reception by Chris Whittle for the one-point win.

The Ichabods jumped on the scoreboard first with a 97-yard drive capped by a Tyler Schuerman 3-yard touchdown run. Schuerman would finish with 412 yards in total offense with 306 of that come in the air.

Missouri Southern wouldn't waste anytime tying the game as they scored 1:13 after the Ichabods.

Darryl Humphrey would put the 'Bods back up with a 12-yard touchdown reception. But the Lions would score the next two touchdowns to take a 21-14 lead into the break.

Colon McNeal would then catch what would be his first TD on the night on a 32-yard pass reception. The Lions would go up with 5:29 remaining in the game cashing in on a fumble by the Ichabods. On the night, the Ichabods would cough up the ball six times, losing three of them.

The Ichabod defense would force a three and out setting up the winning drive for the Ichabods.

The Ichabods racked up 591 yards in total offense while the Lions tallied 393. The Ichabods were also 3-of-3 on fourth down conversions.

Brandon Rainer, making his first start of the season, rushed for 96 yards on seven carries. McNeal finished with 123 receiving yards on six catches and two touchdowns. Humphrey grabbed four passes for 96 yards and one touchdown. Darold Smith, Larry Schembri and Mike Kitchener each had eight tackles. Schembri has two for loss and one sack.

Up next for Washburn is the five-time MIAA Champion Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats. Game time is set for 1:30 on Sept. 29 in Maryville. The game will be broadcast on 99.3 FM with Ron Simon and Steve Walter calling all the action.