The Ichabods’ 2024 homecoming game against the University of Nebraska-Kearney was a remarkably close game. Washburn started strong from the get-go but lost momentum as the game went on. With rain heavily starting and stopping throughout the game, navigating the wet conditions proved to be a challenge for both teams.
Emma Ward, freshman Dancing Blue, expressed her thoughts before the game.
“With the rain, it’s going to be a little harder to score but I think we have a good chance,” Ward said.
Washburn led throughout the third quarter, after a quick score in the first and a second touchdown late in the second.
But in the fourth quarter, Kearney was able to put seven points on the scoreboard. It was an unexpected turning point, throwing the Bods off guard and keeping them on their toes. Seven quickly turned to 14 points for Kearney, and the Bods remained scoreless in the second half.
Connor Searcy, senior fullback, reflected on what the team could have done differently.
“Ball security, I think, was our biggest issue. We turned the ball over, especially late there in the third quarter and fourth quarter and it kind of cost us a game. There were a bunch of fumbles and interceptions and just loose balls everywhere,” Searcy said.
Before the game was over, the clock stopped at a minute and fourteen seconds as it started raining heavily again, and due to lightning, the game got delayed for a total of an hour and fifteen minutes.
The pressure was on for the Ichabods as they came back to the field. Unable to convert on fourth down, Washburn turned the ball over to Kearney ending the game with a UNK 14-13 victory.
Craig Schurig, head coach, shared his thoughts on the game.
“We felt good about what we had [planned] after that long break. We had a couple of good plays designed, we just didn’t execute them and didn’t give ourselves a chance. It would have been nice to get a first down there and see if we could get it in position to win the game and have kind of a walk-off win for these guys,” Schurig said.
He said that turnovers late in the second half played a big part in the loss for the Ichabods.
Washburn will play the University of Central Oklahoma next weekend for Senior Day at Yager Stadium.
Edited by Morgan Albrecht and Stuti Khadka
