PITTSBURG — The Washburn University football team scored a pair of long touchdowns in a 13-second span of the third quarter to turn a 17-7 deficit into a 21-17 lead as the Ichabods eventually claimed a 35-20 road win over Pittsburg State University Saturday (Sept. 30) at Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium.

Zach Willis broke loose for a 53-yard touchdown run to help WU (4-1, 4-1 MIAA) pull within three points, 17-14, with 6:01 remaining in the third quarter. Willis' run came one play after the Gorillas were flagged for an offsides penalty on an unsuccessful third-down play.

The Ichabods' Perry Schmiedeler then converted a successful onside kick attempt and recovered the ball at the WU 46. Quarterback Blake Peterson tossed a 54-yard touchdown pass to Carey Woods on the next play to move in front 21-17.

Pitt State (2-3, 2-3 MIAA) pulled within a point, 21-20, on Jared Vincent's 23-yard field goal with 14:49 to play in the game, but Willis broke loose again for a 40-yard touchdown run and a 28-20 WU lead with 12:47 to go. Mickeel Stewart added a 19-yard touchdown run for the Ichabods for the game's final margin.

The Gorillas tried to rally down the stretch but quarterback John Roderique fumbled at the WU 1 and the Ichabods recovered the ball in their end zone to halt a drive and Roderique was intercepted in WU territory on Pitt State's final drive of the game.

Pitt State took a 10-7 lead at the intermission. The Gorillas ran 32 offensive plays in the first half, pounding out 148 rushing yards on 31 carries. Pitt State attempted only one pass in the intial 30 minutes of play.

Roderique scored on a two-yard touchdown run and Vincent booted a 27-yard field goal for the Gorillas first-half points.

Roderique finished the game eight of 16 passing for 98 yards and he added 87 rushing yards on 17 carries. Michael Rose carried the ball 25 times for 101 yards.

Willis rushed the ball eight times for a game-high 122 yards and two touchdowns for the Ichabods, while Peterson completed 16 of 30 passes for 182 yards and a score.

Josh Hornback made eight tackles to lead the Pitt State defense. He also blocked a WU punt that teammate Juanté Baldwin returned 40 yards for a third-quarter touchdown that gave the Gorillas their 17-7 margin.

The Gorillas will return to action next Saturday (Oct. 7) when they travel to Hays, Kan., to face unbeaten and 14th-ranked Fort Hays State University at 7 p.m.