PITTSBURG — Washburn University's Jace Williams blocked a potential game-winning field goal try by Pittsburg State University in the game's final half minute to seal a 28-26 road win by the Ichabods over the Gorillas Saturday (Nov. 6).
 
Pitt State (7-3) had driven the ball 79 yards in 15 plays to set up Cross Holmes' 33-yard field goal try after the Gorillas defense had forced a Washburn (8-2) fumble at the Pitt State 5 yard line with 3:15 to play in the game.
 
The Ichabods took a 21-17 halftime advantage when James Letcher, Jr. hauled in 12-yard yard touchdown catch from Mitch Schurig with 21 ticks remaining in the first half.
 
The Gorillas took the opening possession of the second half and marched on a 16-play, 68-yard drive that consumed 7:55 to play clock, but running back Tucker Horak was stopped for no gain on a 4^th-and-1 play from the Ichabods 7 yard line.
 
The Ichabods countered by going on a 16-play, 93-yard drive to go up 28-17 on a five-yard touchdown pass from Schurig to Letcher with 13:23 to play in the fourth quarter.
 
The Gorillas trimmed the margin to 28-20 on a 25-yard field goal by Holmes with 9:05 to play in the game; and Pitt State recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff to give the Gorillas offense possession of the ball again.
 
This time, Tyler Adkins capped the drive by slamming into the end zone from four yards out. Pitt State's 2-point conversion try failed leaving the Gorillas down 28-26 with 6:52 to play in the game.
 
The Ichabods drove deep into Pitt State territory on their next possession but Pitt State's Markel Roby displaced the ball from Letcher following a short pas completion and Alex Gaskill recovered it at the Pitt State 5.
 
Chad Dodson Jr. completed 11 of 15 passes for 133 yards after replacing starter Mak Sexton at halftime. Sexton passed for 115 yards on seven of 13 attempts with an interception in the opening two periods.
 
Adkins carried the ball 17 times for 69 yards and two scores, while Elijah Harris made six receptions for a team-leading 89 yards in the game.
 
Rico Payton scored Pitt State's first touchdown when he scooped up a fumble and returned it 29 yards midway through the first quarter.
 
Brandon Mlekus made a team best 12 tackles, including two stops behind the line of scrimmage. P.J. Sarwinski also made 10 tackles for the Gorillas.