The University of Sioux Falls fell short at home 33-17 to the No. 18 Ichabods in their first ever NCAA DII competition, ending their 32-0 home field win streak at Bob Young Field. The Cougars fell behind early and a late push was not enough to overcome quarterback Dane Simoneau and Washburn's early offense.
On the opening drive, Washburn quarterback Dane Simoneau picked apart the Cougars defense completing seven of his first seven pass attempts. The Ichabods first drive was capped off by a 13 yard strike from Simoneau to sophomore tight end Tore Hurst for a score, giving Washburn an early seven point lead.
The Cougars began their first drive of the 2011 season behind a new signal caller, sophomore transfer, Carrington Hanna (Calif. Univ. of Penn.). After no gain on first down, Washburn's defense came out aggressive, sacking Hanna for an 11 yard loss. USF then were called for a delay of game, making for very difficult 26 yard third down conversion. The remainder of the first quarter followed suit, the Cougars went three and out on their next two possessions.
Simoneau and the Ichabods continued to exploit USF's pass defense throughout the first quarter. Washburn scored on two more passing plays, a 47 yard breakaway touchdown by Justin Cooper and a 10 yard strike to Matt Kobbeman, extending Washburn's lead to 21 at the quarter break.
After trading possessions, the Ichabods claimed the first score in the second quarter. A costly USF holding penalty on third down gave Washburn the ball on USF's 35 yard line and reignited the drive. Six plays later Simoneau hooked up with sophomore receiver Dejuan Beard for a 10 yard score and his fourth passing touchdown of the half. The second quarter also marked USF's first score of the season. With 2:40 left in the half, Hanna led the Cougars on an eight play 87 yard drive. Hanna found junior receiver Jeremiah Oates on an out pattern for a two yard touchdown, sending USF to the lockeroom down 27-7 at the half.
USF capitalized on great field position in the third quarter as they found themselves in Washburn's territory following an 18 yard punt return by Michael Hicks. Four plays later, the Cougars dialed up an eight yard touchdown pass to Oates, cutting the Ichabods lead to 27-14 with 5:09 remaining in the third quarter. With 31 seconds left in the quarter, Washburn answered. Simoneau completed a 58 yard bomb to Ronnell Garner, extending their lead back to 21.
The scoring ended when USF put together an eight play 60 yard drive capped off by Braden Wieking's 36 yard field goal with 4:52 left in the game. USF and Washburn traded possessions throughout the fourth quarter but it was ultimately too little, too late for the Cougars.
In his Cougar debut, Hanna finished the game 22 of 39 with 242 yards and two touchdowns. Washburn's signal caller Simoneau finished with a new school record 452 yards completing 27 of 40 attempts with five touchdowns to five different receivers.
Eric Anderson led the way for USF on defense, recording eleven tackles and one interception.
The Cougars will begin a three game road trip Sept.10 beginning in Missouri as they take on No.3 Northwest Missouri State University.
