Football | 12/15/2011 12:37:00 AM
September 1, 2011 -- The Emporia State football team outgained Fort Hays State 516-412, but turned the ball over four times in a 27-17 loss in Hays. The Hornets racked up 246 yards on the ground and threw for 270 yards on the evening.
The Hornets struck early when Tyler Eckenrode hit Shjuan Richardson for a 64 yard touchdown.on their first possession.
FHSU would even the score on the first drive of the second quarter as Blake McAhren hit Anthony Smith with the 13 yard touchdown pass. The Hornets would answer with a 27 yard field goal from Zak King with 8:23 left in the half to take a 10-7 lead into the lockerrooms.
After holding FHSU to a three and out to start the second half, ESU went up 17-7 when Eckenrode plunged in from one yard out with 8:13 remaining. FHSU would answer on their next drive as Keaton Callins caught a 26 yard pass from from McAhren to cap an eight play 80 yard drive.
The Tigers would then tie the game on a Tyler Kimbrough 20 yard field goal with 12:48 to play in the fourth quarter With 6:28 remaining in the game Kimbrough would hit a 50 yard field goal to give FHSU the lead for good at 20-17following an Adrian Abner fumble at midfield. ESU gained 25 yards on two plays on the ensuing Hornet possession before La'Darrian Page fumbled at midfield with 5:31 left.
ESU got the ball back with 2:20 remaining and gained 24 yards on two plays before Eckenrode was intercepted by Korey Allison who returned the ball to the Hornet two yard line. The Tigers would get their final score of the night as Edward Smith scored on a three yard run. E
SU would drive the length of the field one more time before a Zak King field goal was blocked with 22 seconds left and FHSU ran out the clock.
Eckenrode was 23 of 38 for a career high 270 yards with one touchdown and one interception and led the Hornets with 71 yards on 11 carries, all of which were career highs. Adrian Abner picked up 64 yards on the ground while La'Darrian Page added 56 yards for ESU.
Richardson caught three passes for 75 yards and a touchdown. Adam Schiltz added 57 yards on four catches. Craig Rosentengle caught three passes for 39 yards while Dasor Horton caught the ball five times for 34 yards.
Defensively Vince Harris and Ben Carlson led the way for the Hornets as each finished the game with 12 tackles. Carlson also recovered the fumble on the Hornets lone takeaway. Tim Chandler had the only sack on the night and forced the FHSU fumble.
ESU will return to action Sept. 10 when they travel to Pittsburg State for a schedule 7 p.m. kickoff.
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