By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University football came up just short on the road Saturday night, falling 34-28 at No. 15-ranked Central Oklahoma.
Quarterback Keller Hurla had a hand in three Washburn TDs in Saturday's 34-28 road loss at Central Oklahoma. [File photo/TSN]
Junior Chase Allen-Jackman had 118 receiving yards and a pair of TDs in Saturday's 34-28 road loss at Central Oklahoma. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn wasted no time getting on the board after sophomore linebacker JC Heim picked off an early Central Oklahoma pass, with Justin Lewis capping the short-field opportunity with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Chase Allen-Jackman for a quick 7-0 lead.
The Bronchos responded with a pair of scores to move in front, but the Ichabods tied the game late in the opening quarter when sophomore quarterback Keller Hurla, seeing his first action of the season, powered in from a yard out to finish a 75-yard drive and tie the score at 14-all.
UCO scored 10 straight points to take a 24-14 halftime advantage, but the back and forth contest continued in the third quarter.
Hurla once again punched it in from the 1-yard line and moments later he struck through the air, lining up under center and connecting with Allen-Jackman for an 85-yard touchdown strike.
That big play gave the Ichabods a 28-24 lead with 7:48 to play in the third quarter, but UCO came back with a touchdown drive of its own, regaining the lead 31-28 heading into the final frame.
UCO pushed the lead to six at 34-28 on the first possession of the quarter with a 51-yard field goal wrapping up the scoring in the game.
Allen-Jackman turned in a career night, finishing with five receptions for 118 yards and both of Washburn's passing touchdowns.
Hurla added two rushing scores to go with his long touchdown pass, while Cam Robinson chipped in 32 rushing yards on nine carries.
Overall, Washburn managed 254 yards of total offense, with 195 through the air and 59 on the ground.
The Ichabod defense helped keep the game tight, forcing two interceptions that set up scoring opportunities.
Jake Zeller had seven punts for a 44-yard average with three boots inside the 20-yard-line.
Heim led the Ichabod defense with 16 tackles (eight solo stops) and L.J. Minner had 13 tackles with five solo stops.
The Ichabods will host Nebraska-Kearney at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Yager Stadium for Washburn's Family Day.
