Washburn took their second straight loss Saturday against the University of Central Missouri in the MIAA TV game of the week.

The Ichabod’s displayed a lackluster performance in the third quarter only averaging seven points in three games, also in the past three games, the team totaled 22 penalties for 216 yards. “We have to take advantage of all our opportunities and execute our performance in the second half, we have to stay focus and it starts in practice,” said Anthony Daniels, junior wide receiver.

The Ichabods trailed early in the first half, but before the trail the offense made an early statement, Derek McGinnis sliced the secondary and hits Anthony Daniels for a 34-yard touchdown pass the drive went 11 plays for 68 yards. After exchanging punts, the mules scored on a 1-yard touchdown pass from Garrett Fugate to Ian Tolson. The drive went 11 plays for 87 yards with three minutes left to play in the first quarter.

The Mules aggressively handled business by Fugate scoring his second touchdown on a 1-yard rushing touchdown leading 14-7. In first play of the second drive, the Mules regained possession by forcing a fumble starting at Washburn’s 34-yard line. The drive ended in 29-yard field goal attempt by Billy Greco advancing the lead to 17-7. Washburn was forced to punt once again after the Mules field goal, but the defense stepped up by Alec Steuber forcing a fumble and allowing the Ichabods to have a fresh pair of downs.

With five minutes left before half time, the Ichabods drove 11 plays for 59 yards to cut the lead 17-14 by a one yard rush from Derek McGinnis. The Mules continued to pound the ball into the end zone Garret Fugate earned his second touchdown run of the day giving the mules a comfortable 24-14 lead before half.

“Our defense is great defense we just need to be fundamentally sound and focus. Its mid-season; we know what we need to work on and practice plays a vital role to get back to winning.” said Jaime Myers, senior defensive back.

In the second half the Ichabods defense struggled to contain the scrambling quarterback Fugate as he earned another touchdown scoring on a 30-yard read option play that increased the lead to 31-14. “We need to make defensive adjustments and knock him around early so he doesn’t want to run the ball as much,” said Peter Pfannenstiel defensive back.

When the spark got diffused Derek McGinnis lit it back up throwing a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jake Horner to reduce the lead by 10 in a 21-31 battle with 8:05 left in the third quarter. The Mules continued to apply pressure with 10:24 left to play with running back Markel Smith scoring on a 3-yard rushing touchdown improving the score 38-21 with an early victory lead.

The Ichabods scored with 2:06 seconds left on the clock, ending the game with McGinnis hooking back up with Anthony Daniels for a 30-yard touchdown pass. However, this was not enough to overcome Central Missouri, losing 38-28.

“I think we have to get back to the basics and come together as a team and learn from these losses,” said Pfannenstiel.

The Ichabods will be traveling to action for Saturday’s showdown to face Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Mo. at Spratt Stadium at 2 p.m.