By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
KEARNEY, Neb. – The Washburn Ichabods scored 35 unanswered points after halftime and turned in a dominant performance on defense Saturday afternoon, rolling to a 42-7 MIAA road victory over Nebraska-Kearney.
Junior Cam Robinson rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries in Washburn's 42-7 road win at Nebraska-Kearney. [File photo/TSN]
Sophomore Quin Renfro rushed for 110 yards and a TD on 12 carries in Saturday's 42-7 Washburn win over Nebraska-Kearney. [File photo/TSN]
The Ichabods improved to 3-1-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play behind a defense that held the Lopers to just 112 total yards while forcing 11 punts.
Washburn's defense set the tone from the opening drive. After Nebraska-Kearney crossed midfield, the Ichabods took advantage of a bad snap a punt that accounted for a 49-yard loss, giving the Ichabods the ball at the Loper 12-yard-line.
Two plays later Cam Robinson powered in from a yard out with 11:45 left in the first quarter and Aidan Battle's extra point made it a 7-0 game.
The Ichabod defense repeatedly forced Nebraska-Kearney (0-4, 0-2) off the field in the opening half, recording six first-half punts while limiting the Lopers to 57 rushing yards and 42 passing yards before intermission.
Washburn forced eight three-and-out series in the game for the Loper offense.
Washburn doubled its lead midway through the second quarter on an impressive 80-yard march.
Logan Madden completed passes to Nathan Lewis Jr., Topeka High product Jayden Norman and Robinson before finding former Washburn Rural star Ty Weber for a 9-yard touchdown pass with 2:45 remaining before halftime, pushing the lead to 14-0.
The lone setback came late in the half when a Nebraska-Kearney interception was returned for a touchdown with 1:38 remaining, trimming the Washburn lead to 14-7 at the break.
The second half belonged entirely to the Ichabods.
Receiving the opening kickoff of the third quarter, Washburn marched 75 yards in seven plays.
Quinton Renfro capped the drive with a 23-yard touchdown run to restore a two-score advantage at 21-7.
The defense then took complete control, with Nebraska-Kearney managing just 33 total yards in the third quarter while punting on all three possessions.
After another defensive stop, Renfro ripped off a 63-yard run to set up Robinson's 8-yard touchdown rush, extending the lead to 28-7 with 4:13 left in the third.
The Ichabods added two more scores in the fourth. Madden connected with Jacoby Ogbonna on a 22-yard touchdown strike with 7:29 remaining, making it 35-7. Moments later, the defense created another takeaway when Aaron Henson forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff return and Gabriel Hospins recovered at the Loper 23.
Washburn converted the short field into points as Donovan George scored from 2 yards out for the game's final touchdown as the Ichabods snapped a five-game losing streak against the Lopers.
Defensively, the Ichabods were outstanding after halftime, shutting out the Lopers over the final 30 minutes. Nebraska-Kearney converted just two of 15 third down attempts, and was held to 44 rushing yards.
Washburn recorded two sacks, nine tackles for loss, recovered two fumbles and held the Lopers scoreless on their lone red-zone opportunity.
Leading the defense was junior linebacker JC Heim, a former Washburn Rural star who posted a game-high 14 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a half sack.
Brody Hayes added eight tackles, while Rural product Jaren Heim finished with six tackles and a half sack.
Offensively, Washburn piled up a season-high 477 total yards, including 246 rushing yards and 231 passing yards.
Renfro rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, while Robinson added 108 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.
The duo became the first Ichabod pair to rush for at least 100 yards in the same game since Justin Cooper (111) and Sean McPherson (102) both hit the century mark against Fort Hays State on Oct. 29, 2011.
The rushing tally also marked the first time an Ichabods had recorded a 100-yard rusher since Taylon Peters accomplished the feat at Lincoln on Sept. 16, 2023 with 121 yards on 11 carries.
Madden completed 13 of 23 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Ogbonna and Weber for scores. Tre Calhoun led the receiving corps with 66 yards, while Lewis Jr. added 57 yards.
After an open week on Oct. 3, Washburn will host Pittsburg State on Oct. 10 as part of Washburn's Hall of Fame Weekend.
