TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn University Ichabods ended a losing streak of 15 straight games against the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats with a 17-16 triumph Saturday at Yager Stadium.
 
The unranked Ichabods won for the first time over the No. 2-ranked Bearcats since Oct. 8, 2005. It was also Washburn's first win over Northwest in Topeka since Oct. 8, 1994.
 
Washburn moves its season mark to 5-2 overall, while Northwest drops to 5-1 on the year.
 
Northwest out-gained Washburn with 392 yards to 218. Northwest rushed for 140 yards and held Washburn to 28 yards. Northwest also out-passed Washburn, 252-190. Washburn took advantage of two Northwest interceptions to secure the win. Northwest also missed a pair of field goals in the red zone.
 
Northwest was methodical in its first drive (18 plays, 84 yards) but came up scoreless when Cole Lammel missed a field goal from 27 yards out. Northwest began the drive on its own six-yard line and got as far as the Washburn three-yard line.
 
Following a quick three-and-out from the Washburn offense and a partially blocked punt by Andrew Dumas, Northwest got the ball back in the Ichabod 45-yard line with 1:36 left in the first quarter.
 
The Bearcats could not take advantage of the short field. Northwest committed a pair of personal fouls that stymied the drive.
 
Washburn dented the scoreboard first with 4:39 to play in the half on a 36-yard field goal from Trenton Brehm.
 
Northwest marched the ball into the red zone, but was turned away when a Mike Hohensee pass was intercepted in the end zone by Washburn's Peyton Lane with :55 left in the half. Washburn took a 3-0 lead into the half.
 
The Bearcats took their first lead of the game with 5:08 to play in the third quarter. The Northwest offense covered 85 yards in 14 plays capped by a four-yard touchdown pass from Hohensee to Kaden Davis. It is sixth receiving touchdown this season for Davis.
 
The Ichabods answered back with a touchdown drive of their town to retake the lead at 10-7 with 1:16 to play in the third quarter. Washburn's Kellen Simoncic hit James Letcher Jr. for a 15-yard scoring play that capped a 10-play, 70-yard drive.
 
Northwest looked to draw even at 10-10 on a 25-yard field goal attempt from Lammel with 11:10 to play in the game. However, Lammel pulled his kick to the left and missed leaving Northwest trailing 10-7.
 
J'Ravien Anderson intercepted a Simoncic pass at the Washburn 39-yard line and returned it two yards to the 37 to set up the Bearcat offense with another short field with 7:56 to play.
 
A steady dose of running back Al McKeller put the Bearcats back on top. McKeller scored from a yard out with 4:15 left to give Northwest a 14-10 lead. McKeller accounted for seven carries and 36 of the 37 yards on the drive.
 
Washburn suffered a miscue on the kickoff and had to start its drive on the four yard line. The Ichabods moved out of the shadow of their own goal line on a personal foul penalty on the Bearcats. Taylon Peters caught a screen pass from Simoncic and took it in from 15 yards out for a touchdown to give Washburn a 17-14 lead with :48 left in the contest. The Ichabods drive went 96 yards in 11 plays and consumed 3:16 off the clock.
 
Northwest took over on its own 25-yard line following a touchback. Hohensee hit Alec Tatum for an 18-yard gain to the Northwest 43. After a sack, Hohensee connected with McKeller on a 23-yard play to give the Brearcats a first down at the Washburn 42 yard line with :17 left. Hohensee lofted a deep ball to the goal line intended for Davis, but was intercepted by Washburn's Kevin Nash Jr. at the one.
 
Washburn took an intentional safety on the next play to take three seconds off the clock and cut the lead to 17-16. After a free kick, Northwest took over on its own 25-yard line with :05 remaining. Northwest tried a couple of laterals on its final play, but could not advance the ball down the field and Washburn scored the victory.
 
Northwest will return to action next week in Tahlequah, Okla., against the Northeastern State RiverHawks.

NOTES: Al McKeller notched his 21st career 100-yard rushing game (and fourth of the season) with 138 yards on 29 carries ... Alec Tatum caught eight passes for 94 yards ... Mike Hohensee passed for 252 yards on 22-of-32 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions ... Northwest went 7-of-13 on third downs ... Northwest enjoyed a time of possession advantage (36:31-23:28) ... Northwest went 2-of-5 scoring in the red zone ... Washburn went 3-for-3 in red zone scoring.