Washburn wins first game of the season

Starting out their season ranked number 20, the Washburn University Ichabods  faced off with the University of Nebraska-Kearny for the first game of the new season and opened with a 24-14 win.

Head coach of the Washburn Ichabods, Craig Schurig, knew the competition against the new MIAA arrivals would be a good one.  “Kearny is a tough team, a physical team, so we knew it was going to be a little frustrating running the ball.” That proved to be true when both teams ended the first quarter scoreless.

In the second quarter, Nebraska-Kearny moved on the board first, which led Washburn’s sophomore quarterback, Mitch Buhler, to retaliate with a touchdown after connecting with junior wide receiver, Matt Kobbeman.

Overall, according to Schurig, the Ichabod’s struggled slightly in the first half. “Even though we were able to piece together a lead, Kearny dominated the first half,” said Schurig.

The second half opened with a strong start from Washburn as junior running back, Hayden Groves, scored a touchdown, pushing Washburn ahead 17-7.

After a responsive touchdown from Kearney in the end of the third quarter, the fourth quarter opened quickly with a touchdown pass from Buhler to freshman linebacker, Alex Steuber, putting the Ichabods up 24-14. Which led to a strong offensive hold on the possession for the rest of the fourth quarter.

According to Schurig, the Ichabods held the second half of the game much stronger than the first. “We played better and missed a few things on offense, a few kinks, but I was overall really proud of how we played,” said Schurig.

Returning this season a volunteer, the Ichabod’s previous quarter back, Dane Simoneau, was proud of how the team held up. “The boys did a great job in their first official game of the season. When things didn’t go right, they didn’t panic; they held together strong as a team and proved to have a great second half,” said Simoneau.

This season’s quarterback, Mitch Buhler, feels the Ichabod’s are stronger after this game. “There are still a few kinks to work out personally, and as coach said, we’re still shaking off some of the cobwebs, but the first game jitters are officially over.” The Ichabod’s are stronger than ever.