TOPEKA, Kan. – Griffon Football (3-6, 2-5 MIAA) attempted a comeback in the second half, but a 31-point deficit was too much to overcome in a 55-40 loss at (RV) Washburn on Saturday at Yager Stadium in Topeka.
Washburn got off to a 13-0 start in the first quarter and that lead ballooned to 27-7 early in the second quarter before MoWest made their push.
The Griffons scored 14 unanswered in the second to make it 27-21 with 1:56 left before halftime. Washburn was able to hang one more touchdown before halftime, and the Ichabods led 34-24 at the break.
The Griffon defense stopped Washburn on the opening series of the second half, but MoWest quarterback
Isaiah Tate threw a pick six on the ensuing series to make it a 41-24 game with 12:43 left in the third quarter.
Washburn added an offensive score and then a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter as well to make it 55-24 entering the fourth.
The Griffons never quit, scoring 16 unanswered points to end the game.
Skyler Cassel entered the game in the fourth quarter and threw for two touchdown passes, but an interception with 2:56 remaining sealed MWSU's fate.
MoWest put up 534 yards of offense on 87 snaps – the fourth time this season they've put up 500+ yards of offense. All four of those games, however, ended in defeat.
The Ichabods had 407 yards of total offense on 21 snaps in the first half alone, and ended up with 519 on the day.
Cassel threw for 108 yards on seven completions. Tate was 25-of-40 for 310 yards with a touchdown and an INT. He was sacked four times.
Crew Myers set a career-high with 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown. The 153 yards is his fourth 100+ receiving yard effort this season.
Myers now sits with 967 receiving yards this season – fifth most in a single season in program history. Thirty-three more yards would make Myers only the fourth different WR to have a 1000-yard plus season in program history.
Cencere Thompson had 18 yards on five carries, scoring his first career TD in the second quarter.
Rickie Dunn had 12 carries for 48 yards and a score.
Peyton Hatfield caught six passes for 71 yards.
Emmanuel Ellison hauled in three passes for 31 yards and a TD.
Ken Pierre-Charles had a team-best eight tackles.
Ashton Smith recovered a fumble in the first half.
Deontae Young was credited with a sack, and
Latrell Armstrong connected on field goals of 30 and 27 yards.
MoWest is back home on Saturday, November 7 to see No. 11 Northwest Missouri State (7-1, 6-1 MIAA) on Senior Day. Kickoff from Spratt Stadium is set for 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Griffon Sports Network (Varsity Network App, GoGriffons.com/listen) and available to watch on the MIAA Network.
Northwest took down No. 8 Emporia State Saturday 59-14 in Maryville.
