November 15, 2014-Playing in some of the worst weather conditions of the year, Emporia State nearly pulled off the greatest comeback in school history before falling 42-40 at Neb.-Kearney on Saturday. The Hornets outscored the Lopers 26-0 in the second half after trailing 42-14 at the break.
Playing in a constant light snow and heavy winds the teams traded scores on their first possessions. The Lopers scored on their first six possessions of the first half including a one play, eight yard drive after a Hornet fumble and a two play, 91 yard drive that gave UNK a 35-7 lead. Austin Willis returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards to give the Hornets a bit of life at 35-14 with 5:37 left in the half. It was the first time Emporia State had returned a kick-off for a touchdown since Ryan Hulings took one 92 yards against Missouri Western in 2005. But the Lopers answered with a ten play 65 yard drive to go into the half up 42-14.
As the second half started the winds increased as well. Emporia State managed the only score against the wind of the second half when they went 83 yards in eight plays capped by a five yard pass from Ty Reasnor to Justin Brown with 3:06 left in the period.
Emporia State made it a two score game with 6:38 left in the game when Reasnor connected with Mitchell Foote for a two yard touchdown, but the extra point was wide in the blustery conditions to leave the score 42-27. The Hornets recovered an onside kick but only gained four yards before turning the ball over on downs with 5:56 remaining.
The Hornet defense turned it up a notch forcing a three and out to get the ball back with 4:07 left in the game. After tossing an incomplete pass on first down, Reasnor hit three in a row, capped by a 51 yard touchdown to Justin Brown to pull the Hornets within 42-34.
Emporia State kicked it deep and the defense held again, getting three straight tackles for loss. The Lopers were forced to punt into the teeth of the wind from their own 11 yard line and Davis Brendel's punt only went three yards setting Emporia State up at the UNK 14 yard line. Reasnor hit Brown with a back shoulder fade from three yards out to pull the Hornets within two at 42-40. Reasnor's two point attempt to Willis was just off leaving the Hornets down with 1:39 to play. Emporia State then executed their second onside kick of the game and third in two games when Lyndell Johnson recovered the ball at the Loper 42 yard line. After three incomplete passes set up a four and ten and Reasnor was forced to scramble and he came up just two yards shy of the first down with 1:13 left. UNK then ran out the clock to seal their first win over Emporia State since 1986.
Reasnor finished the game 29 of 49 for 258 yards and four touchdowns with an interception. Justin Brown had six catches for 77 yards and three touchdowns while Kavaski Ervin had nine receptions for 75 yards. Mitchell Foote added five catches for 51 yards and a score. Josh Matthews led the Hornets with 49 yards rushing on nine carries while Kai Callins scored the first touchdown.
Seth Culp had nine tackles including three TFL while Lyndell Johnson and Deshawn Dinwiddie each had six tackles and an interception.
