TOPEKA, Kan. – Truman State football opened the 2025 season with a gritty performance on the road, falling just short in a 20-17 contest against Washburn on Saturday afternoon at Yager Stadium.
The Bulldogs came out strong, striking first with a 23-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dylan Hair to Jackson Overton midway through the opening quarter. Truman added to the early lead with a 32-yard field goal by Vinnie Calvaruso, building a 10-0 advantage after the first 15 minutes.
Washburn responded with 17 unanswered points in the second quarter, capitalizing on a short field following a turnover and adding another score late in the half to take a 17-10 lead into the locker room. Both defenses tightened in the third quarter, keeping the game within one score heading into the final period.
The Ichabods stretched their advantage to 20-10 on a 51-yard field goal early in the fourth, but Truman showed resilience down the stretch. The Bulldogs engineered an impressive 14-play, 75-yard drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run from running back Denim Cook, pulling Truman within three at 20-17 with just over four minutes remaining.
The defense gave Truman opportunities throughout the afternoon, recording four sacks and holding Washburn to negative-37 rushing yards. Linebacker Connor Baxley led the Bulldogs with nine tackles, while Logan Montoya, Eli Fry, Tucker McDowell, and Jaxin Patterson each contributed key stops in the backfield.
On offense, Cook powered the ground game with 86 rushing yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, while Hair added 197 passing yards on 19 completions. Overton was the leading receiver with 70 yards and a touchdown. Overall, Truman outgained Washburn 333-315 in total offense and held the ball for nearly 34 minutes.
Despite the narrow defeat, the Bulldogs showed plenty of promise in all phases. A strong rushing attack, a disruptive defensive front, and a balanced offensive effort highlight a performance that leaves the team optimistic moving forward.
Truman State (0-1) will now turn its attention to a road test against Division I FCS opponent Butler University next Saturday in Indianapolis. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
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Key Stats
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Total Offense: Truman 333 | Washburn 315
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Rushing Yards: Truman 136 | Washburn -37
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Passing Yards: Washburn 352 | Truman 197
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Time of Possession: Truman 34:11 | Washburn 25:49
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3rd Downs: Truman 6/15 | Washburn 6/14
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Sacks: Truman 4 (45 yds) | Washburn 4 (26 yds)
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Turnovers: Truman 2 | Washburn 2
Individual Leaders
