By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University football returns to the road on Saturday, opening MIAA play at No. 4-ranked Northwest Missouri, with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m.
Nate Lewis (4) caught six passes for 141 yards and scored both Washburn touchdowns in last week's 16-16 tie with Colorado School of Mines. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The trip is the first for the Ichabods to Maryville in four seasons as the last three games in the series have all been played in Topeka.
The Ichabods (1-0-1) are coming off a 16-16 tie with Colorado Mines after the game was called due to extreme heat prior to the start of overtime last Saturday in Yager Stadium.
Last Saturday's marked Washburn's first tie game since a 7-7 tie with Missouri Western on Oct. 7, 1977.
Prior to the start of overtime, the wet globe temperature moved pass the safety zone, the teams were sent to the locker rooms and the fans were asked to leave the stadium. After nearly an hour delay, the game was called.
Although last week's game was a first for all the Ichabods and a bit frustrating given how close WU came to a big win, Ichabod coach Zach Watkins said he is extremely happy with the way his team handled everything and has moved on to preparing for this week's meeting with the Bearcats.
"I'm just so proud of these guys because since we've taken over being able to overcome adversity and the mental toughness that we stress in our program has shown up,'' Watkins said.
"We had a lightning delay last year, we had a game time move, we had heat. There's a lot of things that way happen in a season, injuries, and our team just keeps being resilient and that's the sign of a good team.''
Logan Madden finished 20 of 35 passing for 268 yards and two touchdowns without an interception against Mines while Nathan Lewis Jr. turned in a career performance with six receptions for 141 yards and both Washburn touchdowns, scoring on plays of 28 and 47 yards.
Brody Hayes and JC Heim led the Ichabods in tackles with 13 tackles apiece while Gage Depee had a career-high nine tackles against the Orediggers.
The Bearcats (1-0) are coming off their bye week after a 48-3 win at Texas A&M-Kingsville on Aug. 29.
The Bearcats are ranked No. 4 in the latest AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 5 in the D2Football.com poll.
Northwest ranks No. 4 in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 3.0 points per game.
Northwest is one of five NCAA Division II teams to have not allowed a touchdown this season joining Harding, Mars Hill, Northwood and Fort Lewis.
Northwest Missouri has won its last five home games and Saturday's game with the Ichabods will be its home opener.
The Bearcats rank No. 2 in the nation in pass efficiency defense and No. 6 in total defense, allowing 179.0 yards per game.
Te'Shaun Porter leads the Bearcats in rushing with 100 yards per game after their opener on 16 carries with three touchdowns.
Zechariah Owens has completed 11 of 17 passes for 144 yards and Jiadyn Doss has five catches for 71 yards.
"You're playing a really good team in Northwest Missouri,'' Watkins said. "They're the best team we've played up this point in my opinion and Saturday will be a tough battle.''
Northwest Missouri State controlled the tempo from the opening kickoff and handed Washburn a 34-7 loss in the 2025 MIAA opener between the two teams at Yager Stadium.
Heim led the Ichabods with a career-high 15 tackles with seven solo stops in last year's game against Northwest.
Washburn's last win over the Bearcats in Maryville was on Oct. 8, 2005 in a 31-28 victory as the Ichabods would go on to win the MIAA Championships that season.
Washburn is 2-18 in games played in Maryville, Mo. including the last eight meetings.
The Ichabods return home on Sept. 19 to host Central Oklahoma at noon in Yager Stadium.
