FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2009

Lions fall at Washburn, 54-31

Box Score

Topeka, Kan.. - Washburn University scored 38 unanswered points after a Missouri Southern opening drive field goal, en route to a 54-31 win over the Lions tonight at Yager Stadium in Topeka.

The Lions (0-2, 0-1 MIAA) scored first in the game as sophomore kicker Andrew Gassen connected on a 40 yard field goal to cap a 14, play 53 yard drive that lasted 5:13 to start the game.

Washburn (3-0, 1-0 MIAA), however, answered on their next drive and drove 72 yards in 6:25 with a 1 yard run from Justin Cooper to go ahead 7-3. The Ichabods then scored touchdowns on their first three drives of the second quarter to go up 28-3. Southern was driving late in the second quarter, but a pass from Collin Howard was intercepted by Zach Watkins at the Washburn 12 yard line. Watkins then ran the ball back to the 50 yard line before Toderick Hunt forced a fumble by Watkins and the Lions' Isaac Norman recovered at the Southern 34. The Lions, however, then fumbled two plays later and Washburn capitalized with a one yard rush from quarterback Dane Simoneau to make the score 35-3 at the half.

Washburn opened up the second half with a 33 yard field goal from Steve Ivanisevic, before the Lions' Johnny Johnson scored on a two-yard run to make the score 38-9. Ivanisevic added two more field goals before Howard and Landon Zerkel hooked up for a 40-yard scoring pass. Ivanisevic added his fourth field goal of the game, this time a 24-yarder, to tie a Washburn record for field goals in a game.

Daniel Thompson added two late scores to make the final tally, 54-31.

Freshman David Snell led the Lions in rushing with 55 yards on nine carries for an average of 6.1 per touch. Howard was 18-29 with two touchdowns, one to Zerkel and another to Thompson.

Defensively, Kenny Smith and Josh Woodard led the Lions with eight tackles each, while Jarius Jarvis picked up a sack.

The Lions will be back in action next weekend when Southern plays host to Emporia State at 6 pm in Hughes Stadium in the Lions' home opener.