Curtis Meyer reporter
After a tough loss to the #21 ranked Emporia Hornets last week, Pitt State was able to bounce back, as they defeated Washburn this past weekend 39-31. The Gorillas improved to 2-1 on the season, sitting at #10 in the nation as they continue to aim for the playoffs.
Pitt State did not have an easy path to victory, in what was a very close game until the very end. The Gorillas led for the entire game, but despite pulling ahead 23-14 at the end of the first quarter, the Ichabods refused to go away, chasing the Gorillas and remaining within one score for the rest of the game.
Washburn got off on the wrong foot, fumbling away the opening kickoff return and setting up Pitt State’s offense from 27 yards out. The Gorillas quickly capitalized, as senior quarterback, Chad Dodson, found senior receiver, Jack Roberts, from 17 yards out to give the Gorillas the early lead.
The Ichabods answered immediately, as they scored off the ensuing kickoff to tie it up at 7 apiece. Things looked grim for Pitt State as they faced a 3rd and 13 on their next drive, but Dodson found senior receiver, Christian Carter, for a 78-yard touchdown pass to swing the momentum back in the Gorillas favor.
The Gorilla defense and special teams then came up big, as they forced a three and out, then sophomore, Tyler Ross, blocked the ensuing punt, which tumbled into the end zone and was ruled a safety. Not content with that, junior, Jaylen Fuksa, took the next kickoff and returned it 44 yards for another special teams touchdown.
Both teams traded possessions, before the Ichabods scored late in the first, refusing to quit. Pitt State added a field goal halfway through the second, but otherwise struggled on offense. The story of the second was found in a crazy sequence towards the end of the half, as Dodson dropped back and punted on a fourth down, which was returned by the Ichabods 92 yards for yet another special teams touchdown.
The Gorillas carried a 26-21 lead into halftime, but that was quickly stolen by the Ichabods early in the third. Pitt State retook the lead on their next drive thanks to a pair of pass-interference calls on Washburn, as senior running back, Noah Hernandez, carried it in from two yards out.
Washburn scored a field goal late in the third, to make it 32-31, but freshman tight end, Luke Niggemann, scored in wildcat formation from a yard out to make it 39-31, giving the Gorillas an insurance touchdown in the fourth. The Ichabods were kept off the scoresheet in the fourth, as the Gorillas took home a wild win.
“Luke is a great kid man, a good special teams contributor for us. He’s one of those guys, just ‘coach what do you need from me, what can I do to help’ and he’s really embraced that role,” said head coach Tom Anthony in an interview for 110.7 ESPN FM on Monday. Pitt State will get a bye week to rest, before hosting Missouri Western on Oct. 5 for the annual Hall of Fame game.
