November 7, 2015-Playing in front of a loud home crowd in Bearcat Stadium and a national television audience, #14 Emporia State was held to a season low scoring output in a 44-10 loss at #2 Northwest Missouri. The Hornets are now in second place in the MIAA and need to win their final game of the regular season against Neb.-Kearney to have a chance at the NCAA Playoffs for the second time in three years.
BAD START
The Bearcats took the opening kickoff and went 80 yards in seven plays and capped the drive with a six yard touchdown pass from Brady Bolles to George Sehl for a 7-0 lead. The Hornets moved the ball on their possession but a false start and sack killed the drive. Emporia State's defense stiffened after the opening drive and forced a pair of three and outs by the Bearcats. On the NWMSU punt following the second three and out, the ball touched Hornet Gabe Cleveland on the bounce and the Bearcats Jarrod Bishop recovered it at the Hornet 36 yard line. The Bearcats could convert a fourth and three play and got a first down via an Emporia State offside penalty on third and four before scoring on a five yard run by Phil Jackson on the final play of the first quarter.
ALMOST BACK IN IT
Emporia State was able cut the lead to 14-7 when Brent Wilson ran for a three yard touchdown with 7:37 left in the half. Wilson was two for three for 44 yards during the five play, 49 yard drive. On the ensuing possession for Northwest Bolles found Shawn Bane for a 68 yard touchdown to put the Bearcats back up by 14 points with 6:13 left. Emporia State drove down to the Northwest Missouri nine yard line but had to settle for a 26 yard field goal from Austin Morton to cut the lead to 21-10 with 4:15 remaining.
BACK BREAKER
On the next possession the Bearcats were at the Hornet 42 yard line when they tried a trick play that almost backfired on them. Bolles handed off to Jackson, who tossed the ball back to Bolles, It looked like the Hornets were going to sack Bolles when he was able to find Jackson who had slipped out of the backfield for a 19 yard gain. On the next play Bolles hooked up with Shane Williams for a 23 yard touchdown to take a 28-10 lead into the locker rooms.
SECOND HALF WOES
The two teams traded punts to start the second half and Emporia State found themselves at their own three yard line. After an incomplete pass Collin Blevins was able to sack Wilson in the endzone for a safety to put the Bearcats up 30-10 with 10:46 left in the third. It was the first safety surrendered by the Hornets in 38 games since a 2012 game against Southwest Baptist. On the first play after the free kick Bolles and Bane connected again, this time for a 52 yard touchdown and 37-10 lead for the Bearcats with 10:32 left.
THE NUMBERS ON OFFENSE
Brent Wilson was 17 of 33 for 180 yards and no touchdowns as he was sacked six times. He finished the game with 14 carries for a net of 14 yards and a touchdown. It was the first time he has failed to throw a touchdown pass in a game he started for the Hornets.
Kavaski Ervin had seven catches for 57 yards and Mitchell Foote had four receptions for 67 yards for the Hornets.
The Hornets were held to a season low 240 yards of total offense.
DEFENSIVE NUMBERS
Kole Schankie led Emporia Staet with a game high 12 tackles including a sack and two tackles for loss. Jason Tetuan also reached double figures with ten stops.
UP NEXT
The Hornets play host to Neb.-Kearney in the final regular season game on November 14. Kick-off from Jones Field at Welch Stadium is set for 2:00 p.m. If Emporia State wins they will be in position to make the NCAA Playoffs for the second time in three years when the field is announced on Sunday, November 15.
