ESU FALLS AT #25 PITT STATE

Penalties prove costly

Football | 12/16/2011 1:40:00 PM

September 10, 2011-The Emporia State football team took a 7-0 lead early but three turnovers and 15 penalties for 132 yards led to a 38-14 loss at #25 Pittsburg State on Saturday night.

The Hornets kicked off and forced a three and out on the Gorillas first drive and then went 63 yards in seven plays to take a 7-0 lead on Dasor Horton's one yard run.

PSU's John Brown had a 22 yard punt return to the ESU 37 yard line that led to the first of Soloman Watkins three touchdowns with 3:54 left in the first quarter. The Gorillas got the ball back when Jeff Richards fumbled following an interception he returned had returned 22 yards. Watkins made it 14-7 on a three yard touchdown run with 9:11 left in the second quarter.

The Hornets held PSU to a field goal on their next possession to go down 17-7 with 3:37 left in the half. Zac Dickey connected with Andrew Casaneda for a 40 yard touchdown pass with 1:28 left in the half to take a 24-7 lead into the locker rooms.
Quarterback Tyler Eckenrode was sacked and fumbled at the Pitt State 37 yard line on the Hornets second possession of the half after ESU had held on a fourth down attempt by the Gorillas. PSU took the ball and marched 62 yards on six plays to make it 31-7 with 1:10 left in the third quarter. Watkins scored his final touchdown with 13:52 left in the game to make it 38-7.

Jordan Tice scored the final points for ESU with a three yard touchdown run with 3:09 left.

Eckenrode was 20 of 35 for 177 yards with two interceptions. Horton had 49 yards on 11 carries to lead the Hornet ground game. Ray Ray Davis had a team high seven receptions for 45 yards in his Hornet debut. Defensively Derek Lohmann was credited with ten tackles and one tackle for loss.

ESU is back in action on September 17 when they play host to Central Missouri. Kick off is set for 1:00 p.m. on Jones Field at Welch Stadium.

###HORNETS###

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