Football | 9/12/2013 10:44:00 PM
Box Score
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September 12, 2013-Emporia State rolled up nearly 500 yards of total offense on the way to a 34-21 victory over Neb.-Kearney on Thursday night in Emporia. The Hornets led 34-7 after their first possession of the third quarter.
Emporia State took the opening kick and drove 85 yards on 15 plays to take a 7-0 lead. Brent Wilson connected with Mitchell Foote from five yards out for the lead. Ray Ray Davis gave the Hornets a 14-0 lead when he picked Wilson's pass off his shoe strings for an 11 yard score with 1:26 left in the half.
Wilson got his third touchdown of the half when he hit Austin Willis on the fly for a 29 yard touchdown and 21-0 lead with 8:26 left in the second quarter. The Lopers finally got on the board with a two yard run by Luke McNitt out of the Wildcat formation with 6:54 left in the half.
Emporia State answered with a 12 play, 67 yard drive culminated by a 22 yard field goal from Eli Kuhns for a 24-7 lead with 2:56 left in the half. On UNK's next possession Gary Fortune picked off a Bronson Marsh pass and returned it 12 yards to the Loper 46 yard line. On the next play Wilson hit Willis again, this time for a 46 yard score to give the Hornets a 31-7 lead.
Wilson ended the first half 18 of 24 for 232 yards with four touchdowns while Willis caught five first half passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
After forcing Neb.-Kearney into a three and out to start the second half, Emporia State added another another score on Eli Kuhns 49 yard field goal with 11:08 left in the third quarter for a 34-7 lead.
The Hornets had a chance to add to the lead with 4:40 left in the third, but Kuhns 42 yard field goal attempt was blocked by Kellen Werner. The Lopers then went 75 yards on seven plays and scored on Marsh's 35 yard touchdown pass to Noah Housh. That would be the last score until Marsh hit McNitt for a one yard touchdown with 18 seconds left to make the final score 34-21.
Emporia State ended the game with 499 yards of total offense as they won their fifth straight game dating back to last season. Wilson finished the game 23 of 34 for 297 yards and four touchdowns. Willis has his second straight 100 yard game, finishing with six catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Davis caught a team high eight passes for 94 yards and a score. Dozie Iwaugwu had a career high 123 yards on a career high 19 carries .
Defensively Jordan Sanders and Tariq Allen each had 13 tackles. Allen had a sack and Sanders was in on a key fourth down tackle for loss. Chris Poston joined Fortune in getting an interception on the night.
Emporia State will now have the weekend off as they prepare for Central Oklahoma next Saturday, Sept. 21 in Edmond, Okla. Kick off from Wantland Stadium is set for 6 p.m.
NOTES:
Emporia State is now 16-4 over their last 20 games dating back to the 2011 season.
Brent Wilson has thrown seven touchdown passes in his first two games as a starter for the Hornets.
Iwaugwu became teh first Hornet to rush for 100 yards in a game since LaDarrian Page gained 201 against SBU on Nov. 5, 2011.
