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TOPEKA, Kan. - The Lincoln football team forced seven turnovers and Hosea Franklin rushed for 251 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but the Blue Tigers fell to Washburn, 49-27, on Thursday night (Sept. 5). The game marked Lincoln's return to the MIAA after a five-year absence, as the Blue Tigers played their first MIAA football game since 2013.

Thomas Burton forced two fumbles and Bri'on Sanders forced another while leading the Blue Tigers with 12 tackles. Hasan Muhammed-Rogers made 11 tackles and had a pair of fumble recoveries as well as an interception, and Cody Alexander had two picks to go with a fumble recovery and seven tackles.

The seven turnovers were the most Washburn has ever lost in a contest, and were the most forced by a Blue Tiger team in a single game since 1974. Franklin's 251 yard were also the most allowed by Washburn by a single player since a 2007 contest when Danny Woodhead rushed for 295.

Lincoln additionally tallied four tackles for loss and broke up a pass, while Chavon Gross added 10 takedowns and Elliott Albert and TeAndre Skinner each had six apiece.

Washburn opened the scoring with a two-yard run on its first offensive series, but threw its first interception of the evening on its second drive, as Alexander returned the ball to the WU 30. On the very next play, Chancellor Johnson found C.J. Closser in the end zone for a touchdown to even the score at seven late in the first quarter.

The game would remain tied heading into the second, but the Ichabods went ahead 14-7 on the first play of the period on a 27-yard reception. On its next drive, however, Washburn fumbled on its own 24-yard line, and Franklin ran the ball into the end zone on the first play of the ensuing Lincoln possession.

Franklin found the end zone again later in the quarter, scoring on a 66-yard scamper to give Lincoln its first lead of the season, 21-14, with 7:03 until halftime. The Blue Tigers held its lead until late in the second quarter, as Lincoln stuffed a WU run on the LU 12-yard line to maintain the advantage. Washburn used a six play, 42-yard drive later in the half to tie the game at 21 with 44 seconds until the break.

The second half belonged to the Ichabods, however, as Washburn scored on its opening possession of the third quarter and led 35-21 entering the fourth. The Blue Tigers got on the board one last time with 9:06 remaining as Dre'Shon Alston caught a 13-yard pass from Johnson, but the extra point clanked off the uprights to keep LU at 27 points.

Johnson passed for 96 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, and Closser finished with 34 receiving yards while Alston had 31. Javier Moreno averaged 55.2 yards on kickoffs, and Reagan Harrell averaged 36.9 yards on punts, with one pinning WU inside the 20.

Lincoln will return to Jefferson City to host Missouri Southern in its home opener next Thursday (Sept. 12). Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CDT.