Football | 11/8/2012 5:12:00 PM
TURNPIKE TUSSLE TO GO ON
The #25 Hornets travel to Topeka to take on Washburn in the most played active rivalry in NCAA Division II. The game will feature the MIAA's top passing team in Emporia State against the conference's top pass defense team in Washburn. The winner will more than likely secure a post season berth.
LAST TIME OUT
Tyler Eckenrode broke the Hornets single season passing record, but it was not enough as #4 Northwest Missouri defeated #20 Emporia State 55-10 on Saturday in Maryville, Mo. The senior from Houston now has 3,075 yards on the season. Eckenrode ended the day 21 of 34 for 267 yards. He connected with eight different receivers led by Ray Ray Davis with nine catches for 138 yards. Josh Taylor led the Emporia State defense with 15 tackles while Chris Poston added five solo stops and his third interception of the season.
THE?COACHES
Garin Higgins has compiled a career record of 78-47 as he begins his 11th season as a head coach. He has led the Hornets to within just one game of a post season berth each of the last two seasons. He is 27-38 in his sixth season at his alma mater and is 18-14 over the last three seasons. He had a 51-9 career record as the head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma, including two trips to the national championship game. Higgins was a quarterback for Emporia State from 1987-90 and was on the 1989 national runners-up team. He is 0-5 against WU.
Craig Schurig is 79-47 in his 11th year at Washburn. He is 9-1 against Emporia State.
SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State leads the MIAA and is ranked 13th in the nation in passing offense. The Hornets are second in the MIAA and seventh in the nation in pass defense efficiency. Tyler Eckenrode leads the MIAA and is 11th in the nation in total offense. Shjuan Richardson leads the MIAA in receiving yards and receptions. He is ranked seventh in the nation in receiving and 15th in catches.
SCOUTING?THE ICHABODS
Washburn is 7-3 overall and 7-3 in the MIAA. They have played the same schedule as Emporia State. The Ichabods are ranked third in the MIAA and 11th in the nation in pass defense efficiency and lead the MIAA in passing yardage defense.
LAST TIME AGAINST WU
In a game that saw four lead changes #8 Washburn defeated Emporia State 31-17 to even the Turnpike Tussle at 51-51-6. The Hornets led 14-3 in the second quarter and 17-16 late in the third quarter. Tyler Eckenrode led ESU with 57 yards rushing on 16 carries with a touchdown and was 19 of 30 for 186 yards and a touchdown through the air. Ray Ray Davis had four receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown for the Hornets. Matt Rosenhamer had a career high 16 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
THE SERIES
The Turnpike Tussle is the most played active rivalry in NCAA D-II. This is the 109th meeting in a series that began in 1899. The series is tied at 51-51-6. WU has won seven straight with three of the last five being decided by 14 points or less. The last ESU win was a 35-28 OT victory at Welch Stadium in 2003.
UP NEXT
The winner will more than likely be in a bowl game or the NCAA Playoffs. The playoff field will be announced at 4 p.m. on Sunday on ncaa.com.
