By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. -- The Washburn Ichabods opened the 2026 football season with a 27-21 road win over Truman State on Saturday night, controlling the game for most of the contest behind a balanced offense and a defense that repeatedly delivered momentum-changing plays.
Washburn quarterback Logan Madden threw for a career-high 328 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday's 27-21 road win at Truman State. [2025 TopSports.news file photo]
The Ichabods built a 27-7 lead early in the fourth quarter en route to their second straight season-opening win over the Bulldogs.
Washburn will be back in action next Saturday, hosting Colorado School of Mines at noon in Yager Stadium.
Washburn finished Saturday night's game with 446 yards of total offense, 27 first downs and held the ball for 37 minutes, 8 seconds while forcing two turnovers.
The Ichabods limited Truman State to just 183 total yards through the first three quarters, allowing only one touchdown during that span while building a 24-7 advantage.
After Truman State scored first on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Hair to Adam Hall in the first quarter, Washburn's defense stopped another Bulldog scoring threat when quarterback Hair fumbled at the Washburn 13-yard line.
Defensive lineman Malo Mata'u recovered the loose ball to keep the WU deficit at seven points.
The Ichabods answered in the second quarter when Cam Robinson capped an eight-play, 65-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7.
Washburn took the lead for good on its next scoring drive as Logan Madden connected with Dwayne Moorehead for a 27-yard touchdown pass, finishing an 11-play, 76-yard march.
Aidan Battle added a 24-yard field goal with 15 seconds remaining before halftime, sending Washburn into the break with a 17-7 lead.
The biggest offensive play of the night came midway through the third quarter when Madden found Tre Calhoun behind the Truman State secondary for a 45-yard touchdown pass, extending the Ichabod lead to 24-7.
The defense came up with another takeaway later in the third quarter. With Truman State driving inside Washburn territory, Braiden Lagafuaina forced a fumble from Nathan Ryan and Cortlin Dalton recovered at the Washburn 28-yard line, ending a Bulldog scoring threat.
Battle connected on a 34-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to push the lead to 27-7.
Truman State scored twice in the final 12 minutes, but the Ichabods ran out the final 1:40 to secure the victory.
Brody Hayes led the Ichabods with 10 tackles while former Washburn Rural star JC Heim added eight tackles and a sack.
Gage Depee recorded seven tackles, while Lagafuaina forced a fumble.
Al-Mani Jimerson and Heim both recorded sacks.
Madden completed 28 of 38 passes for a career-high 328 yards and two touchdowns while adding 24 rushing yards.
Calhoun led all receivers with seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown.
Nathan Lewis Jr. added nine receptions for 72 yards, while Moorehead finished with three catches for 38 yards and a score.
Robinson rushed for 44 yards and a touchdown, while Quinton Renfro had 54 rushing yards.
Truman's Hair completed 22 of 29 passes for 307 yards and three TDs.
