By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University football did a lot of good things, particularly in the first half, in Saturday's Homecoming game against Fort Hays State in Yager Stadium.
Senior Ky Thomas had 95 rushing yards and Washburn's lone touchdown in Saturday's 13-10 overtime loss to Fort Hays State. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
But in the end, WU coach Zach Watkins felt like the Ichabods let a win get away, with Fort Hays State scoring the final 13 points to escape with a 13-10 overtime MIAA victory.
"We did a great job in the first half, but it's a two-half game, a four-quarter game and we didn't finish,'' Watkins said.
"The mark of a really good team in the MIAA is how you finish and we didn't finish today.''
The Ichabods (2-6 overall, 1-5 MIAA) struck first when Ky Thomas scored on a 3-yard run (Aidan Battle kick) midway through the first quarter after Braiden Lagafuaina's interception return to the Fort Hays State 20-yard-line.
Washburn extended its lead when Battle drilled a 32-yard field goal to make it 10-0 with 12:37 to go before halftime and ending the first-half scoring.
Fort Hays (5-4, 4-3) finally broke through in the third quarter, taking advantage of a Washburn turnover on an interception to score on an 18-yard keeper from Tiger quarterback Caleb Heavner.
The Tigers tied the game later in the period with a 25-yard field goal by Zane Hall.
Neither team managed points in the fourth quarter as both defenses forced turnovers and traded punts in increasingly wet conditions.
Washburn got the ball first in overtime and reached the red zone, but missed a 41-yard field goal attempt in overtime before the Tigers' Michael Polley connected from 34 yards out to seal the win.
"You're not defined by one game, but those are the type of games that you have to win to make the leaps in this conference that we want to make and know we can make and are capable of making,'' Watkins said. "But that's a game you have to win to take the next step.
"We'll get back to work tomorrow and we'll improve and get better from there.''
Former Topeka High star Thomas, a senior, powered the Ichabods' ground game with 95 yards on 16 carries, averaging 5.9 per attempt, and added 16 receiving yards.
Washburn freshman quarterback Logan Madden had 101 passing yards in Saturday's 13-10 overtime loss to Fort Hays State. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Freshman quarterback Logan Madden went 16 for 29 for 101 yards, with redhirt freshman Henry Mohrmann catching three passes for 26 yards and Jaden Abongo Jr. adding 21 yards receiving and 38 on kickoff returns.
Defensively, Washburn junior L.J. Minner Jr. led the way with 11 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and a forced fumble. Kamble Haverkamp and JC Heim added six stops.
Washburn sophomore cornerback Josh Grant had a pass interception and a fumble recovery in Saturday's 13-10 overtime loss to Fort Hays State. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Ichabods defense forced four turnovers -- two interceptions and two fumble recoveries -- holding Fort Hays to 10 points in regulation despite the Tigers out-gaining Washburn, 308-228.
Heavner paced the Tigers with 117 rushing yards and 95 passing yards, while running back Curtis Douglas added 82 yards on the ground.
Washburn finished with 127 rushing yards and 101 through the air while senior punter Jake Zeller pinned the Tigers inside the 20 five times, while averaging 40.4 yards on seven punts.
The game marked the third time in the last six years the two teams needed an overtime to decide a winner.
Washburn returns to action next Saturday at Missouri Western.
