Box Score Topeka, Kans. - The 20th-ranked Washburn Ichabods made two fourth down stops inside its own 10-yard line and took advantage of some Nebraska-Kearney mistakes to beat the Lopers, 24-14, Thursday night at Yager Stadium in Topeka, Kans.

This was the season opener for both and the first game between UNK and Washburn in 25 years. The 'Bods have now won four straight over the Lopers but Kearney still leads the series, 14-7.

UNK, dropping to 4-9 in season openers since 2000, marched 73, 41 and 64 yards on its first three drives but led only 7-0 early in the second quarter.

The first drive ended with a missed 26-yard field goal and the second stalled at the Ichabod two-yard line when redshirt freshman QB Aric Kaiser (Broomfield, Colo.) was stopped for no gain on third down and then dropped for a yard loss on fourth down.  

The Lopers managed to finally put points on the board on the third drive when Kaiser found senior receiver Adam Lehner (Hastings) from three yards out on 3rd and three.
However, Washburn returned the ensuing kickoff 21 yards and a 15 yard personal foul penalty on the Lopers put the ball at the Ichabod 45.

Two plays later, QB Mitch Buhler (13 of 24 for 170 yards and two TD's) threw a screen pass to running back Hayden Groves, who rumbled 36 yards into UNK territory. On 3rd and six from the Kearney 14, Buhler tossed a scoring pass to receiver Matt Kobbeman to tie the game.

Washburn led 10-7 at the break as kicker Jeremy Linn booted a 25-yard field goal with 32 seconds left in the half. The short scoring drive was setup when corner T.J. Shine brought back an interception 16 yards.   

Both clubs had long scoring drives to start the second half, Washburn going 75 yards in 10 plays and UNK responding with a 14 play, 73 yard march. Kaiser once again found Lehner on third down, hitting him from nine yards out to make it a 17-14 game.

Later in the third, Buhler used a “quick kick” to pin the Lopers at their own three yard line. However, Lehner forced a fumble on the punt cover team and UNK managed to gain some field position as senior safety Pete Kropp (Grand Island) recovered the loose ball at the Loper 29.

The Washburn defense forced the second of four straight three and outs and UNK had to punt again. This time, a bad snapped resulted in senior punter Tommy Flanagan (Golden, Colo.) racing back to pick up the loose ball inside the Loper 15-yard line.


UNK's last chance to get back in the game came about five minutes later when the Lopers faced a 3rd and 2 at the Washburn seven. A pass to Flanagan fell incomplete and Kearney decided to go for it.

Flanagan was once again the target but his catch resulted in a yard loss. Washburn then ran out the clock with a 14 play, 79-yard drive that featured three third down conversions.

UNK outgained Washburn, 349 to 291 yards including a 146-79 edge on the ground. Most of the 'Bods rushing yardage came on the game's final drive.

In his first collegiate game, Kaiser went 23 of 34 for 203 yards, two TD's and one pick. He also rushed 13 times for 26 yards.

The versatile Flanagan carried the ball 12 times for 64 yards and caught five balls for 28 yards. He also punted six times.

Lehner was one of eight different Lopers to catch at least one pass from Kaiser and led this group with six receptions for 75 yards and two scores. McCook junior Matt Berry grabbed six balls as well, going for 44 yards.

On special teams, BYU transfer O'Neill Chambers had seven total returns for 75 yards. Also having two touches on offense, this marked his first collegiate game in nearly two years.

Defensively, junior corner Ryan Lendrum (Carlsbad, Calif.) had nine tackles and one pass break up, Kropp made seven stops and had a PBU and senior end Dex Schwieger (Aurora) had 3.5 tackles for a loss of nine yards.

Washburn saw Groves carry the rock 15 times for 44 yards while having two catches for 57 yards. He was one nine different players to catch a pass from Buhler or Joel Piper (3 of 8 for 33 yards).

Linebackers Jamil Taylor (14) and Bryce Atagi (11) combined for 25 tackles, including three for a loss of three yards.  

UNK hosts Emporia State next Saturday at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field. The Hornets blasted Fort Hays State, 41-18, Thursday night at home.