EMPORIA STATE TAKES TURNPIKE TUSSLE 35-30 OVER WASHBURN

October 2, 2021-Emporia State raced out to a 35-10 lead at the start of the fourth quarter and held on for a 35-30 victory over Washburn in the 117^th edition of the Turnpike Tussle on a rainy day at Welch Stadium.
 
The Ichabods took the opening kick-off and drove 50 yards before the Hornet defense stiffened and held them to a 32 yard Trenton Brehm field goal. 
 
After a three and out by Emporia State on their first possession, Washburn quarterback Mitch Schurig fumbled on a hand off and the Hornets recovered back at the Ichabod ten yard line.  Three plays later Braden Gleason hit Corey Thomas for a five yard touchdown and 7-3 Hornet lead with 9:51 left in the first quarter.
 
Washburn would retake the lead on an 11 yard touchdown pass from Schurig to Peter Afful with 32 seconds left in the opening quarter.  That capped an 11 play, 65 yard drive that was kept alive by a pass interference call on fourth down against Emporia State.
 
The Hornets went back in front on their opening drive of the second half.  They would go 74 yards on eight plays with Dalton Cowan fighting his way in the endzone after Gleason connected with him at the one yard line.  Sam Dobbins PAT made it 14-10 Emporia State with 12:39 left in the half.
 
The teams would trade three and outs on the next four possessions until Washburn put together a seven play drive to get them to their own 44 yard line.  On second and ten Jace McDown intercepted Schuring and took it 45 yards down the sideline for a pick six to give the Hornets a 21-10 lead with 2:57 left in the half. 
 
On the ensuing kick-off Dobbins pooch kick was muffed by Patrick Altenor and the Hornets Arich Ansley recovered it at the Washburn 35 yard line.  Emporia State marched down to the Washburn 12 yard line but a loss of one on a rushing play and a holding call pushed them back to the 23 yard line.  Dobbins attempt at a career best 41 yard field goal was wide left with 1:51 left and Emporia State would take a 21-10 lead into the locker room.
 
Emporia State got the ball to start the second half and facing third and ten from their own 37 yard line, Gleason hit Billy Ross, Jr. on a bubble screen and he took it 63 yards to the end zone to give the Hornets a 28-10 lead with 13:18 left in the third.  That would be all of the scoring in the third quarter as both teams missed field goals in the rainy conditions.
 
The fourth quarter started with Hornet punter Ross Brungardt flipping the field with a 59 yard punt to put the Ichabods in business at their own 21 yard line.  On third and six Schurig tried to go deep but Kyle Rinck picked him off at the Hornet 39 and returned it 49 yards down to the WU 12 yard line.  Three plays later Gleason found Tyler Kahmann in the back of the end zone for four yard touchdown as Emporia State took a 35-10 lead with 12:35 left in the game.
 
On the next possession Schurig hit James Letcher for a 58 yard touchdown to make it 35-17 with 10:21 left.  Emporia State went three and out on their next possession Washburn responded with an eight play, 59 yard touchdown drive capped by an 11 yard touchdown pass from Schurig to Jace Williams as the Ichabods pulled to within 35-24 with 6:22 remaining.
 
The Hornets went three and out again and Brungardt booted a 49 yard punt as Washburn set up at their own 26 with 3:55 left.  The Ichabods drove to the Hornet 34 yard line.  Khalil Rasheed and Derrick Maxwell broke up the next two pass plays as Washburn turned the ball over on downs. 
 
Emporia State used the clock with three rushing plays, forcing Washburn to burn their timeouts.  On fourth and 11 from their own 33, Brungardt unleashed a 52 yard punt that Letcher appeared to return 85 yards for a touchdown, only to see it get nullified by a holding penalty at the Washburn 15. 
 
The Ichabods took over at their own eight yard line with 1:22 left.  They would drive 92 yards in eight plays with Schurig hitting Williams for a 21yard touchdown to pull within 35-30 with 29 seconds left.  They would go for two and on the first attempt Emporia State was called for pass interference giving the Ichabods a chance from the two yard line.  The pass attempt was broken up by Jaedon Pool as Emporia State led 35-30.  Pool would then recover the onside kick and Emporia State was able to run out the clock on the 35-30 victory.
 
The Ichabods would outgain the Hornets 519 yards to 292 but Washburn turned the ball over five times on the day with three interceptions and two fumbles. 
 
Braden Gleason went 18 of 25 for 183 yards with four touchdowns while adding 35 yards on ten carries.  Billy Ross, Jr. had one reception for 63 yards and a touchdown, Dalton Cowan had three for 18 yards and a score, three catches for 12 yards and a touchdown while Tyler Kahmann had two receptions for 14 yards and a touchdown.  Canaan Brooks was the leading rusher for the Hornets with 72 yards on 21 carries.
 
Gee Stanley was the leading tackler for the Hornets with 11 stops.  Jace McDown had five tackles and the 45 yard interception return for a touchdown.  Kyle Rinck added two tackles and a 49 yard interception return while Derrick Maxwell had five stops and an interception as well.
 
Ross Brungardt had nine punts for an average of 48.8 yards, including a season long 66 yarder.  Eight of his punts went for at least 42 yards and the only one that didn't was a 26yarder that he put out of bounds at the Washburn 15 yard line.
 
The Hornets are back in action next weekend when they travel to Central Missouri.  Kick-off from Walton Stadium in Warrensburg, Mo. is set for 1:00 p.m.