TOPEKA – Eighth-ranked Pittsburg State University rushed out to a 35-0 lead, rode out a 75-minute weather delay and coasted to a 42-0 shutout victory over Wasburn University Saturday (Sept. 20).
 
The Gorillas (3-0, 3-0 MIAA) notched their second shutout in three games in blanking the Ichabods (1-2, 1-2 MIAA) on the MIAA TV Network game of the week and in front of 5,682 fans at WU's Yager Stadium.
 
Anthony Abenoja completed 19 of 33 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns in the contest, while Jeff Seybold carried the ball 17 times for 122 yards and a score.
 
Seybold put the Gorillas in front 7-0 on a one-yard touchdown run with 7:02 to play in the first quarter. Abenoja then tossed a 50-yard TD pass to Marquise Cushon, who finished the game with seven catches for a game-high 119 yards.
 
The Pitt State defense forced the Ichabods into five straight punts, allowing just one first down during that time.
 
Abenoja added a 19-yard scoring connection to Gavin Lutman for a 21-0 advantage.
 
WU mounted its first scoring threat midway through the second period as the Ichabods drove to the Pitt State 1 yard line, but the Gorillas stuffed four straight rushing plays to hold Washburn out of the end zone and end the threat.
 
The Pitt State offense countered with a 99-yard scoring drive with Abenoja tossing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Seybold with three seconds remaining in the half for a 28-0 cushion.
 
The Gorillas pushed the margin to 35-0 on Abenoja's 15-yard scoring pass to Austin Daniel at the 11:25 mark of the third quarter.
 
Game officials halted the game at the point due to lightning in the area and the two teams waited out a 75-minute delay, before resuming the game at 5:15 pm.
 
Pitt State's Skylarr Gatson provided the lone score following the delay when he stepped in front of a Mitch Buhler pass attempt and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown and the game's final 42-0 margin.
 
The game marked the first time the Ichabods had been shut out in 174 contests, dating back to the 1998 season.
 
Keeston Terry and Spencer Brown each were credited with a team-leading six tackles for the Gorillas.
 
Pitt State will return to action next Saturday (Sept. 27) when the Gorillas play host to MIAA rival Fort Hays State University.