Hindsight is 20/20 but I wouldn't have touched it as it just went out of warranty. You probably could have gotten some consideration.

I'd put it back together, make it look like you never touched it, play dumb, and contact whoever you got the extended warranty from.

It was purchased through Lowes, and actually went out in May. It took five weeks to get it back from warranty in May, due to the mow deck having a broken welded bracket on it. They did replace the deck n/c, and thankfully (I guess) we are in a drought, so the grass hasn't grown a lot. Because of the recent issue with the mow deck (we did go few rounds as they wanted to charge me $600), I don't think it likely that they will give any regarding the warranty at this point. I can do the work, I know the rods usually aren't expensive. If the engine body had been compromised, then I would do EXACTLY like you have suggested. At this point, if I can just get the flywheel off, I think I will be fine :/

Okay, disassembled the engine, trying to be careful to note how everything was attached. Got the flywheel off (it just took a sharp whack on the puller). Replaced the connecting rod, got the engine put back together, and it runs. Problem is, it sounds like it is running full speed. I think I got the governor springs back on correctly. When I push the governor rod up, the idle slows down to what seems like normal; either way, the idle speed lever on the mower does not have very much effect at all. Any photos of the linkage or settings will help, as will any ideas of what to look at. I removed the carb, but did not go into to it, just set it aside. This whole process has only taken me about a week off and on, so it has not been sitting so as to allow the fuel to gel/age.