November 28, 2015-For the second time this year Emporia State's defense held an opponent without a touchdown as they defeated Henderson State 29-3 in the second round of the NCAA Playoffs in Arkadelphia, Ark. With the win the Hornets advance to the Super Region 3 Championship game against Northwest Missouri next weekend in Maryville, Mo.
CONDITIONS DICTATE PLAY
With a steady rain throughout the day, neither team could muster much offense. On the first offensive play of the game James Junious forced and recovered a fumble by Jacoby Lewis. The Hornets could not convert and both teams would either go three and out or turn the ball over on the first six drives of the game. Henderson State put together a drive midway through the first half but ended up punting eight plays only to have Morris Williams II fumble on the return. On the next play from scrimmage JP Lohrentz intercepted Dallas Hardison to give the ball back to Emporia State. The Hornets were able to drive down to the Reddie 23 yard line but Austin Morton's 40 yard field goal attempt hit the upright to keep the game scoreless after a quarter.
MORTON'S DAY
The miss in the first would be the only miscue on the day for Morton who gave the Hornets a 3-0 lead with 13:12 left in the second quarter. On the ensuing series the Hornets held the Reddies to a three and out forcing a punt from the HSU 31 yard line. The snap got away from Henderson's Evan Lassiter and Eddie Vinson eventually fell on the ball in the endzone for a 10-0 Hornet lead. Morton would then score the next 12 points for the Hornets on field goals of 40 yards, 25 yards, 30 yards and 31 yards to put Emporia State ahead 22-0 with 6:32 left in the third quarter.
GRINDING IT OUT
The Reddies finally got on the board with a 32 yard field goal from Houston Ray with 11:48 left in the game. The Hornets ran the ball seven straight times on their next possession gaining 32 yards but more importantly eating 4:31 off the clock before a Brent Wilson punt settled down at the one yard line. An illegal block on the punt moved the ball out to the 16 yard line but the Hornet defense again held the Reddies to a three and out and forced them to punt. Taking over at their own 42 yard line Landon Nault put an exclamation point of the day with a 58 yard touchdown run. The Reddies had one last chance toscore a touchdown but MJ Mathis intercepted Andrew Black in the back of the endzone with seven seconds left and the Hornets were able to run out the clock on their second NCAA Playoff victory in school history.
THE NUMBERS
Morton's five field goals gave him 21 made for the season, setting Emporia State single game and single season records.
Nault finished with 179 yards on 28 carries and a touchdown. It was the most rushing yards by a Hornet since La'Darian Page had 201 against Southwest Baptist in 2011 and the most by a freshman running back for the Hornets since Brian Shay gained 225 against Washburn in 1995.
Brent Wilson was held without a touchdown pass for just the second time in his career as a starter but did pass Pittsburg State's Anthony Abenoja for fifth on the MIAA single season passing list with 3,920 yards.
The Hornet defense had ten tackles for loss and forced six turnovers in the game. They held the Reddies to just 25 net yards rushing and 137 yards of total offense.
UP NEXT
The Hornets travel to Northwest Missouri next weekend for the Super Region 3 Championship game. The rematch of the MIAA Championship game will be played on Saturday, December 5 on Tjeerdsma Field at Bearcat Stadium in Maryville, Mo.
