Muleskinner

Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Stephanie Flippin/Photo Editor bring him down -- Safety Kellen Nesbitt tackles Washburn's Ra'Shawn Mosely during the game Saturday as Kendall Ricketts moves in to help. The Mules will look for their first conference win Saturday when they battle 0-3 Truman State.

Media Credit: Stephanie Flippin/Photo Editor grinding it out -- Fullback Jeremy Braden carries the ball in a 14-10 loss to Washburn Saturday. The Mules rushing attack was able to gain only 60 yards on 30 carries.

What was to be portrayed as a high-power offensive battle between two AFCA-II top 25 ranked teams, soon became a defensive struggle that left the Mules stunned.

The 25th-ranked Washburn Ichabods defeated the 19th ranked CMSU Mules 14-10 Saturday in the Mules' MIAA season opener.

The game started with both teams not getting any movement on offense.

Then, on the Mules' third offensive play from scrimmage, senior quarterback Toby Korrodi was hit after throwing a pass and injured his medial collateral ligament (MCL) on the play.

Korrodi's injury caused him to leave the game, but Korrodi would return in the second quarter.

"It was a tough loss to take, but it's early in conference play, and we just need get back on track this week," Korrodi said.

Throughout the first quarter, neither team could find the end zone, as the defenses stiffened on three drives by each team.

The Ichabods were first to score, as they drove 70 yards on 13 plays with a touchdown by Washburn senior running back Trent Hearn.

The drive was continued with two third-down penalties by the Mules' defense.

On the next possession, Korrodi orchestrated an eight play, 63-yard touchdown drive that was highlighted by a 19-yard pass to senior receiver Matt Jacobsen for the touchdown.

"It was a great call by the coaches as I ran a corner route to the end zone and Toby threw a beautiful pass," Jacobsen said.

The third quarter started off in an unusual way, as the Mules' gambled on what would have been a 39-yard field goal.

Instead, head coach Willie Fritz called for a fake field goal pass that was unsuccessful in getting first downs.
On the Mules' next possession, they drove down the field to the Washburn one-yard line but could not get the ball in the end zone.

The momentum of the game shifted when sophomore place kicker Spencer Webb missed a 17-yard field goal, hitting the left upright. The Mules would not return to the red zone for the remainder of the game.

"It was hard to take because we needed to come out and just finish the long drives we started by putting the ball in the end zone," Jacobsen said.

At the start of the fourth quarter, the Ichabods drove down the field on two plays that went for big gains.
Washburn's Ra'Shawn Mosley had a 41-yard run and Jordan Brill completed a pass to Jake Lebahn for 31 yards. Washburn then scored on a two yard run by Hearn to take a 14-7 lead.

"Our defense just needs to eliminate the big plays by playing defense with leverage and keeping guys in front of us," Fritz said.

On the Mules' next possession, with two minutes left, the Washburn defense got pressure on Korrodi and forced the Mules to a turnover on downs to end the game.

"Washburn came out and played hard, but now we havebounce back and find a way to win next week," Fritz said.

The Mules will travel to Kirksville, Mo., Saturday in a battle of two teams that are looking for its first conference win.

Linebacker Roderick Washington said the defense will look to improve over last weekend.

"Our motto on defense for the rest of the season is 'finish,'" Washington said. "We're looking to forget about last week and make a statement this Saturday."

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