After finishing the season on a six-game winning streak, and 9-2 overall Washburn football is going to the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Nine wins is also the most from the Ichabods since 2011, when they won 10.

The strong season secured Washburn the seventh and final seed in Super Region Three of the NCAA Playoffs. The Ichabods also finished tied with University of Nebraska at Kearney for second place in the MIAA, and just behind Northwest Missouri, who is the third seed in the Ichabods region.

“We were just hoping to get in at seven, and the scores came in the night before and you’re like ‘it looks pretty good’ but you just don’t know,” said head coach Craig Schurig. “Until it showed Washburn playing Harding, you were kind of on pins and needles, and it was cool to see the reaction of the guys.”

For its first round game Washburn will travel to Searcy, Arkansas, to face Harding University at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. The Bisons finished the season with a 9-2 record in the Great American Conference.

A loss would end the Ichabod’s season while a victory would move the team into the second round, taking place Saturday, Nov. 27.

“They are a close-knit team that has been through a lot, and I think it is very rewarding to have this game to reward them with,” Schurig said.

Edited by Ellie Walker and Simran Shrestha