Football | 9/27/2012 2:28:00 PM
WELCOME TO EMPORIA
Undefeated Emporia State returns to Jones Field at Welch Stadium to take on Lincoln. This is the first time the Hornets have taken a 4-0 overall record into a home game since 1998. Since starting last season 1-4, ESU has gone 8-2 and averaged 38.5 points and 478.8 yards per game.
LAST TIME OUT
Emporia State faced adversity on the field for the first time this season, but came away with a 30-20 victory over Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla. The Hornets never trailed but the RiverHawks did close to within 23-20 with 5:34 left in the game before Tyler Eckenrode found Shjuan Richardson for an 11 yard touchdown with 3:49 left to seal the win. Derwin Hall had 85 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown while Dozie Iwuagwa added 80 yards on 18 carries with two scores. The Hornets gained 223 yards rushing. Eckenrode went 19 of 27 for 229 yards and a touchdown and added 55 yards rushing on nine carries. Ray Ray Davis had six catches for 97 yards. Ben Carlson had a team high nine tackles, Chris Poston added eight stops with two for loss while Kevin Gaddis had five stops and an interception.
THE COACHES
Garin Higgins has compiled a career record of 74-45 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 23-36 in his sixth season at his alma mater. 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 1-0 against Lincoln.
Mike Jones is 1-14 in his first year at Lincoln. He is 0-1 against Emporia State.
SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State leads the MIAA and are ranked in the top 11 nationally in total offense and passing offense. The Hornets have scored at least 30 points in eight of their last ten games dating back to Oct. 8, 2011 to go 8-2. The eight wins against MIAA teams are the second most against conference foes in regular season play behind Missouri Western, who is 9-0 in that time.
SCOUTING THE BLUE TIGERS
Lincoln is 0-4 overall and 0-4 in the MIAA after opening against teams that are a combined 13-3 this year. Khiry Draine is ranked tenth in the MIAA in receiving yards and is averaging 24.5 yards per catch. The Blue Tigers are tied with Emporia State for second in the MIAA with 12 takeaways.
THE SERIES
The series is tied at 2-2. The first meeting between the two came in the 1958 Mineral Water Bowl, a 21-6 victory by the Blue Tigers. The two split a pair of regular season games with Lincoln winning 22-6 in 1961 in Jefferson City and ESU taking the 1962 contest 6-0 at Welch Stadium before last year's 52-23 win in Jefferson City.
LAST TIME AGAINST LINCOLN
Emporia State rolled up 563 yards of offense, including a season high 303 yards rushing in a 52-23 victory at Lincoln. Dasor Horton led ESU with 120 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries. Tyler Eckenrode was 14 of 24 for 241 yards with two touchdowns and added 19 yards on five carries with a touchdown. Shjuan Richardson pulled in four catches for 91 yards as ten different Hornets caught a pass.
UP NEXT
Emporia State travels to Southwest Baptist. Kick-off in Bolivar, Mo. is set for 1 p.m.
