EMPORIA STATE FOOTBALL TO OPEN SEASON AT MISSOURI SOUTHERN

Game #1
Emporia State Hornets (0-0, 0-0 MIAA)
at Missouri Southern Lions (0-0, 0-0 MIAA)
 Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015 • 7:00 p.m. • Fred G. Hughes Stadium (7,000) • Joplin, Mo.
Series Record: MSSU Leads 22-18 Current Streak: ESU 3 Wins
Last Meeting: at ESU 53, MSSU 28  (Sept. 4, 2014)
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9), 6:00 p.m. Pregame  TV: None
Internet (Audio): www.kvoe.com Internet (Video): portal.stretchinternet.com/esu
Live Stats
Officials: Announced on Game Day
Up Next: vs. Central Missouri • Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015 • 7:07 p.m.
Jones Field at Welch Stadium (7,000) • Emporia, Kan.

LET'S GET THINGS STARTED  
Emporia State kicks off it's 118th season on the road at Missouri Southern. The Hornets have won 13 of their last 14 season openers. In the 117 years of Emporia State football, the Hornets are 66-46-5 in season openers. Coach Garin Higgins is 7-1 in season openers with the Hornets and 12-1 in his career in season openers. Emporia State is celebrating their 25th year in the MIAA this season and the Hornets are 17-7 in conference openers since joining the league in 1991.

LOOKING BACK AT 2015
The Hornets missed 54 combined games from players expected to be on the two deep at the beginning of last season. The two players Emporia State took to the 2014 MIAA Media Day, quarterback Brent Wilson and middle linebacker Tariq Allen, combined to play in just five games for the Hornets last season. The Hornets ended up using three different starting quarterbacks last year and all of them produced a win in MIAA play.

THE COACHES
Garin Higgins has compiled a career record of 93-56 in 13 seasons as a head coach. He is 42-47 in eight seasons at his alma mater and is 33-23 over the last five seasons. He led the Hornets to the NCAA playoffs in 2013. 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 3-3 against Missouri Southern.
Denver Johnson is in his first year at Missouri Southern and is 69-66 in 12 years as a head coach at Murray State and Illinois State. This is his first meeting with Emporia State.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State will welcome back seven offensive and six defensive starters from last year, including quarterback Brent Wilson.  In his first four games before getting injured Wilson averaged 320 yards passing per game and had ten touchdown passes.

SCOUTING THE LIONS
Missouri Southern went 4-7 last season. They will be breaking in a new head coach and with him completely new offensive and defensive philosophies.

THE SERIES
This is the 41st meeting in the series that dates back to 1970. The Hornets lead the series 12-10 in MIAA play with the Lions leading the overall series 22-18. This will be the first meeting in Joplin since 2009 and the Lions have won two straight against the Hornets in Hughes Stadium.

LAST TIME AGAINST MSSU
The #22 Hornets rolled up 517 yards of total offense and had 15 defensive points in a 53-28 win over Missouri Southern at Welch Stadium.  Emporia State's two defensive touchdowns and defensive PAT were the first points not scored by the Emporia State offense since September 8, 2012. Austin Willis ended the game with five catches for 126 yards and a touchdown as Brent Wilson went 21 of 31 for 244 yards and two touchdowns.  Kai Callins finished with 107 yards on 11 carries. Deshawn Dinwiddie had ten tackles, two forced fumbles and a defensive PAT to earn MIAA Defensive Player of the Week honors for the Hornets.
 
UP NEXT
Emporia State will welcome Central Missouri to Jones Field at Welch Stadium in an MIAA TV Game of the Week. Kick-off is set for 7:07 p.m. for the first game with the Dennis Shogren Videoboard at Welch Stadium.

DEPTH
Emporia State will return three players at quarterback that have started and won MIAA games. The threesome of Brent Wilson, Ty Reasnor and Braxton Marstall all posted wins last year in games where they threw for at least 196 yards while completing at least 60% of at least 30 throws with multiple touchdown passes and one or fewer interceptions. Last year the rest of the MIAA combined to have just two wins to meet that standard, both by graduated Harlon Hill candidate Anthony Abenoja of Pittsburg State.

YOU HAVE TO SCORE TO WIN
The Hornets are 32-8 under coach Higgins when scoring 28 or more points with a 27-3 record in their last 30 games in which they have scored at least 28 points.   

WILSON!
Quarterback Brent Wilson (Sr./Ponca City, Okla.) returns for his senior year. He was named to the USA College Football NCAA Division II Preseason All-American watch list this year. In the first four games before getting injured last year he averaged 320.0 yards per game with a 60.6% completion rate and ten touchdowns. He was injured in the fourth quarter of the Hornets 42-35 double overtime win at Northeastern State. He finished the game, tossing a game tying touchdown in the first OT and scoring the game winner on a rush in the second extra period. He finished 20 of 36 for 292 yards and four touchdowns at Northeastern State. He was 40 of 62 for 489 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions at Central Missouri. The 40 completions broke Pete Jelovic's school record of 39 set against Truman in 1995 and the 489 yards are second in Emporia State history to his own 522 yards against Central Oklahoma in 2013. He was named second-team All-MIAA at quarterback as a sophomore.   As a sophomore he set the Emporia State single season touchdown passes record with 33, was just the second Hornet to go over 3,000 yards of total offense with 3,381 yards, and was third in passing with 2,985 yards in just ten games on the season. He led his first fourth quarter comeback at Missouri Western going four of six for 27 yards and adding two carries for 14 yards on the Hornets go ahead drive. He went 21 of 31 for 244 yards with two touchdowns and an interception against the Griffons. He was named MIAA, D2Football.com and BSN National Offensive Player of the Week after setting MIAA records for passing yards, total offense and touchdown passes at Central Oklahoma.  He was 38 of 47 for 522 yards with seven touchdowns against the Bronchos and added 49 yards rushing for a total of 571 yards.  He was the first quarterback in Emporia State history to throw for over 300 yards in his first start as he went 21 of 29 for 301 yards and three touchdowns against Ft. Hays State and also ran for 74 yards on 13 carries with a pair of rushing touchdowns. He is 336 of 521 for 4,377 yards with 44 touchdowns passing in his career.  He has added 579 rushing yards to record 4,956 yards of total offense in 23 career games. He is ranked fourth in career passing yards and touchdown passes and ranks fifth in total offense at Emporia State.
 
WITHIN REASON
Quarterback Ty Reasnor (So./Cashion, Okla.) threw for a career high 258 yards with four touchdowns on 29-49 passing in a 42-40 loss at Neb.- Kearney. He was 12 of 20 for 125 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in relief of Braxton Marstall at Washburn. He was 13 of 18 for 128 yards against Ft. Hays State before getting knocked out of the game in the second quarter. He was nine for 19 for 103 yards at Pittsburg State.  He was named MIAA Offensive Player of the Week after completing 30 of 37 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns against Lindenwood in his first career start. He played most of the fourth quarter against Mo. Southern at quarterback with one carry for 13 yards.  

RIDING SCHOOL
Quarterback Braxton Marstall  (So./Emporia, Kan.) got the starting nod at Missouri Western after subbing in for an injured Reasnor against Ft. Hays State. Against the Tigers, Marstall led the Hornets to 21 second half points as he was 10 for 19 for 102 yards after the break. In his first start the following week at Missouri Western, Marstall led the Hornets to a 30-10 victory. He was 24 of 38 for 233 yards and two touchdowns as he became the third Hornet quarterback of the season to get a victory in a start. completed one pass for 29 yards against Northwest Missouri. He was zero for five passing and took a nine yard sack at Washburn.  

MAGIC
Receiver Kavaski Ervin (Sr./Mesquite, Texas) was a second-team All-MIAA performer at wide receiver last year. He was named to the USA College Football NCAA Division II Preseason All-American watch list this year. He was the leading receiver for the Hornets last season with 64 catches for 623 yards and five touchdowns. He led the MIAA in receptions per game, and was ranked fifth in the league in touchdown catches and sixth in receiving yards. He had nine receptions for 75 yards at Neb.-Kearney. He had a team high six catches for 75 yards and a touchdown at Washburn. He had nine receptions for 100 yards at Mo. Western. He had eight catches for 93 yards against Ft. Hays State. He caught five passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns at Northeastern State, including a 30 yarder in the first overtime. He had eight catches for 39 yards against Central Oklahoma after catching five passes for 61 yards at Central Missouri. He had four catches for 27 yards against Missouri Southern. He earned honorable mention All-MIAA honors as a sophomore. He caught six of the last ten touchdown passes thrown by Emporia State and had 18 catches for 324 yards and five touchdowns in his four games against nationally ranked teams last year.  He had then career highs of seven receptions for 129 yards including a Hornet season best 74 yard touchdown against Washburn in 2013. He had five catches for 114 yards and two scores against Northwest Missouri. He had four receptions for 45 yards and two touchdowns at Missouri Western. He had a break out game with six catches for 93 yards with two touchdowns and he also blocked a punt against Northeastern State as a sophomore. He played at both receiver and corner back as a freshman. He was the only Hornet to have a rush of over 25 yards and a reception of over 40 yards in 2012. He averaged 17.2 yards per catch as a freshman including a 42 yard touchdown reception against Central Oklahoma. He has 97 catches for 1,167 yards and 14 touchdowns in 32 career games.

JUST IN CASE
Receiver Justin Brown (So./El Reno, Okla.) had four of his 14 catches last year go for touchdowns. He had a breakout game with a career high six catches for 77 yards and three touchdowns at Neb.-Kearney. He had a 29 yard reception against Northwest Missouri. He had a 17 yard run against Washburn. He had one reception for five yards at Mo. Western. He caught five passes for 52 yards and a touchdown and added a two point conversion against Ft. Hays State. He had his first career catch against Central Oklahoma, gaining seven yards. He averaged 15.5 yards in the 23 times he touched the ball last season. He also lined up at quarterback in the Wildcat formation last season. He scored touchdowns by receiving, rushing, kickoff return, punt return and interception return on his way to 22 touchdowns his senior year at El Reno HS.

BIG FOOTE
Mitchell Foote (Jr./Enid, Okla.) Mitchell Foote had 35 receptions for 378 yards in ten games with four touchdowns last year.  He had five catches for 51 yards and a touchdown at Neb.-Kearney. He caught four passes for 22 yards including a 13 yard touchdown against Lindenwood. He had five catches for a career best 93 yards including a career long 40 yarder at Northeastern State He had four receptions for 28 yards against Central Oklahoma. He caught three passes for 51 yards at Central Missouri. He had a 12 yard reception down to the Central Missouri nine yard line. He had five receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown against Missouri Southern. He had a catch of at least 15 yards in five of the last eight games of the 2013 season. As a freshman he caught five passes for 61 yards against Washburn. He had two catches for 43 yards against Northwest Missouri. He had five catches for 50 yards at Lindenwood. He had four receptions for a then career best 82 yards against Southwest Baptist. He snagged a five yard touchdown pass the first time he set foot on the field for the Hornets on a fade against Neb.-Kearney as a freshman.  

STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM
Receiver Drake Smithon (Sr./Woodward, Okla.) pulled in 27 catches for 239 yards last season. He had three receptions for 30 yards at Neb.-Kearney. He had a 23 yard reception at Missouri Western. He had two catches for 24 yards against Ft. Hays State. He was the Hornets leading receiver with six catches for 43 yards against Lindenwood. He had three catches for 17 yards against Central Oklahoma. He had four receptions for 37 yards at Central Missouri. He had two catches for 21 yards against Missouri Southern. He caught three passes for 22 yards against Southwest Baptist as a sophomore. He had five catches for 52 yards on the year with a long of 17 yards. He had four catches for 34 yards as a freshman after transferring from Oklahoma State.

THE TIME
Morris Williams II (Jr./Nashville, Tenn.) transferred to Emporia State from Kilgore College. He had 30 receptions for 509 yards and five touchdowns for the Rangers last season. His 17.0 yards per catch ranked 19th in the NJCAA last season. He had six catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns against Southeast Prep Academy and eight catches for 149 yards and a score against Cisco last season.

MORE TARGETS
A total of 13 Hornets had a catch last season and nine players had a reception of at least ten yards. Six players return that had at least ten catches last season and four that scored a touchdown. Jaylon Raydel (So./Gardner, Kan.) had four catches for 18 yards against Lindenwood.   Anthony Buffalomeat (Jr./Lawrence, Kan.) had his first career reception against Northwest Missouri for ten yards. Logan Clothier (Sr./Topeka, Kan.) had his first reception of the season at Washburn.

REESE'S PIECES
S-back Reese Richards (Jr./Azle, Texas) missed the final three games last year but still earned honorable mention All-MIAA honors at tight end. He was named to the USA College Football NCAA Division II Preseason All-American watch list this year. He finished the season with 14 catches for 210 yards and a touchdown last year. He caught three passes for 45 yards at Pittsburg State. He had three receptions for 33 yards against Lindenwood. He had just one catch for six yards against Central Oklahoma after getting a career high 104 yards receiving on six catches with a touchdown at Central Missouri. He had his first career start against Northwest Missouri as a freshman. He had two catches for 31 yards against Southwest Baptist in 2013. He caught a 37 yard touchdown pass at Lincoln. He had five catches for 93 yards, an average of 18.6 yards per catch, as a freshman.

THEY'RE OFF
Tight end Connor Theirolf (Sr./Marion, Kan.) saw action in the last three games last season. He is in his third season at Emporia State after transferring from Hutchinson CC. He was a first-team All-Heart of America League pick on the offensive line for Marion HS.

GREAT BALLS OF FIRE
Tight end Trenton Ball (Fr.-RS/Midwest City, Okla.) was rated a three star recruit by ESPN.com and listed as the #21 tight end prospect in the country coming out of Carl Albert HS. He was the 14th rated player overall in the state of Oklahoma.

BROWN AND SERVE
Running back Antonio Brown (Jr./St. Louis, Mo.) was tenth in the MIAA in rushing at 61.8 yards per game last year. He had nine carries for 34 yards and a touchdown against Northwest Missouri. He had 32 yards on eight carries at Washburn. He had 64 yards on 12 carries at Missouri Western. He became the first Hornets since Seville Ko in 2006 to have back to back 100 yard rushing days. He had a career high 134 yards on 20 carries with a touchdown at Pittsburg State following a 104 yard effort with a touchdown on 17 carries against Lindenwood. He had 76 yards on 17 carries at Northeastern State with a touchdown. He had 51 rushing yards on 16 carries against Central Oklahoma. He had 103 yards from scrimmage against Central Missouri with 21 carries for 60 yards with a rushing touchdown and a career high 12 receptions for 43 yards. He had 77 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown against Missouri Southern. He was the Offensive Freshman of the Year in the MIAA and was named honorable mention All-MIAA in 2013. His nine rushing scores that year were the most by a Hornet since Kevin Smart had 11 touchdowns in 2009. He had 536 rushing yards last year with 463 coming in the final seven games of the year. It was the most rushing yards by a Hornet freshman since Seville Ko gained 559 in 2005 and his nine touchdowns are the most by a Hornet freshman since joining the MIAA. He rushed for 66 yards against Washburn last year with 60 of them coming on ten carries in the fourth quarter. He had 13 carries for 68 yards against Northwest Missouri last season. He had 109 yards on 14 carries at Missouri Western.  It was his second 100 yard rushing day of the season, the first time a Hornet had two 100 yard games in a season since LaDarrian Page and Dasor Horton each did it in 2011. He gained 76 yards on 16 carries with a pair of touchdowns against Lindenwood. He had a career high four rushing touchdowns on 16 carries with 102 yards at Lincoln.  It was the most rushing touchdowns by a Hornet since Brian Shay had four against then Missouri-Rolla in 1998. He has 1,216 yards and 15 touchdowns in 22 career games.

LONG HILL
Running back Landon Nault (Fr.-RS/Kinfisher, Okla.) was the Oklahoma Offensive Player of the Year after gaining 2,199 yards and 45 touchdowns on 249 carries as a senior. He also had 72 receiving yards and a touchdown on 11 catches. He was a Wendy's High School Heisman National Finalist.

OFF THE ICE
Guard Jarrett Stastny (Jr./Sanger, Texas) is a two-time All-MIAA performer after earning third-team honors last season. He was named to the USA College Football NCAA Division II Preseason All-American watch list this year. He was named the Squarehead Award winner against Northeastern State and Missouri Southern. He was a consensus preseason All-American, earning D2Football.com, Lindy's, BSN, and USA College Football honors last year. He was named First-Team All-MIAA on the offensive line and was the only freshman tabbed First-Team. He was a second-team Daktronics All-Region pick and earned third-team all-region honors from Hansen's Football Gazette. He earned the Squarehead Award three times as a freshman. His first honor was against Neb.-Kearney and he won the award in the Hornets wins over nationally ranked Missouri Western and Washburn.

IN THE TRENCHES
Eric Pruitt (Sr./Chicago, Ill.) is set to start the season at right guard. He returned to guard against Lindenwood after moving to center against Central Oklahoma and again at Northeastern State with the injury to Dan Goodman. He worked his way into the starting line-up at guard to begin the season.

GERRON WITH IT
Tackle Gerron Anthony (Jr./Tyler, Texas) missed last year with a broken arm suffered just before training camp when a car fell on him as he was changing a tire. He was a second-team junior college All-American at Kilgore College. He was ranked the #89 overall high school recruit in the state by InsideTexas.com and was the #37 ranked guard at John Tyler HS.

BUYERS AND SELLERS
Tackle Kenneth Sellers (Sr./Wichita, Kan) as an honorable mention All-Jayhawk Conference performer for Coffeyville CC before transferring to Emporia State last season.

IN THE CENTER OF IT ALL
Centers Joe Pomatto (So./Paola, Kan) and Thomas O'Grady (So./Topeka, Kan.) have battled to take over at center for the Hornets. Pomatto has taken the the top spot out of training camp. He is in his third year with the Hornets after being the first lineman in history to be named Tri-County Spotlight Football Offensive Player of the Year his senior season at Paola HS.  O'Grady played at Butler CC last season after redshirting at Emporia State in 2013. He was a first-team All-Topeka pick and second-team All-Centennial League selection for Hayden HS.

GREAT DANE
Tackle Dane Riley (So/Azle, Texas) got to start against Northeastern State and saw considerable action over the final four games last year. He was a first-team All-District pick at left tackle for Azle HS. He was credited with 14 pancake blocks as a senior.

SCOOBY DOO
Tackle Jordan McAdoo (Sr./Piedmont, Okla) missed several games with a hamstring injury last year. He has played four of the five line spots with ten starts in his career. He was named Squarehead Award winner off the bench against Northwest Missouri as a sophomore. He started eight games as a freshman and earned Squarehead honors against Lindenwood.

GETTING JENKY WITH IT
Guard Beau Jenkins (Jr./Corsicana, Texas) was moved into the starting line up at guard against Central Oklahoma and saw action in most games last year. He was a first-team All-State Class 2A performer for Mildred (Texas) HS.

BOYS IN THE HALL
Guard Dylan Hall (So./Topeka, Kan.) is in his third year with the Hornets. He was an All-Centennial League first-team pick, helping Seaman HS reach the 5A playoffs as a senior.

BLOODLINES
Linebacker Jason Tetuan (Sr./Topeka, Kan.) was an honorable mention All-MIAA performer last year and was named to the USA College Football NCAA Division II Preseason All-American watch list this year. He was ranked 22nd in the MIAA in total tackles with 73 last year. He had five tackles, four of them solo, against Northwest Missouri. He was credited with seven tackles at Washburn. He had ten tackles at Mo. Western. He had seven stops and 1.5 TFL against Ft. Hays State He recorded seven tackles at Pittsburg State. He recorded nine tackles at Northeastern State. He was credited with ten tackles and 1.5 sacks at Central Missouri. He had seven tackles, three of them unassisted against Missouri Southern. He had three tackles in his first career start at Central Oklahoma as a sophomore. He had seven tackles, six of them solo, as a freshman for the Hornets. His brother John was an All-American baseball player at Wichita State, brother Jesse was a member of the 2003 Big 12 Champion Kansas State football team, brother Jarod was an All-MIAA performer for Washburn in 2007 and brother Jacob is a reliever for the Hornet baseball team.  

REVOLUTIONARY
Nickel Josh Monteagudo (Jr./Cape Coral, Fla.) has moved to linebacker after playing at safety his first two years at Emporia State. He was credited with 11 tackles and a forced fumble at Pittsburg State. He recorded nine tackles at Northeastern State. He had ten tackles with nine of them unassisted against Central Oklahoma. He was credited with seven tackles and an interception at Central Missouri. He had four tackles against Missouri Southern. He came on strong at the end of his freshman year with 46 of his 52 tackles in the final seven games of the year. He had eight tackles at Minn.-Duluth in the playoffs. He was credited with eight solo tackles including two for a loss against Northwest Missouri in 2013. He had a career high 12 tackles, nine of them solo, and an interception at Missouri Western.  He had seven solo stops, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble at Lincoln.  He is a transfer from Hutchinson CC where he redshirted as a freshman after originally committing to Ole Miss.

VICTORY OF THE PEOPLE
Linebacker Kole Schankie (Jr./Madison, Kan.) has moved into the starting lineup after an outstanding training camp. He has been a key contributor on special teams during his first two years with the Hornets and had eight solo tackles last year.

REMINGTON STEELE
Linebacker Remington Whitley (So./Olathe, Kan.) is in his third year with Emporia State. He recorded four tackles at Pittsburg State last year. He began the season with four stops against Missouri Southern. He was named First-Team All-Sunflower League, earned Sunflower League Football Blog Defensive Player of the Year honors and was an honorable mention all-state pick as a senior for Olathe South HS.

A GOOD MAN
Linebacker Brandon Goodman (Jr./Paola, Kan.) had two solo stops against Neb.-Kearney. He had two tackles with one for a loss at Pittsburg State. He was credited with two tackles at Northeastern State. He had five tackles against Missouri Southern. He was a first-team All-State selection after recording 150 tackles his senior year at Paola HS.

CLEVELAND ROCKS
Linebacker Gabe Cleveland (So./Eudora, Kan.) is in his third year with Emporia State. He was named First-Team All-Class 4A and was a two-time first-team All-Frontier League performer for Eudora HS.

STARE DOWN
Linebacker Jarron Ogles (Jr./Topeka, Kan.) is in his second year with the Hornets after transferring from Butler CC. He played in five games for the Grizzlies in 2013. He was a state qualifier in wrestling and an all-city performer in track & field for Highland Park HS.

CLEANHEAD
Defensive end Eddie Vinson (Jr./Omaha, Neb.) was an honorable mention All-MIAA pick last year. He was named to the USA College Football NCAA Division II Preseason All-American watch list this year. He recorded six tackles, five of them solo, at Neb.-Kearney. He had four tackles against Northwest Missouri. He recorded seven tackles against Missouri Western. He had eight tackles, 2.5 TFL, a sack and a pass break up against Ft. Hays State. He had six tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss at Pitt State. He had three tackles and a quarterback hurry at Northeastern State. He had four solo tackles against Central Oklahoma. He had six tackles, five of them solo, at Central Missouri. He had five tackles and a sack in his Hornet debut against Missouri Southern. He had 32 tackles and eight tackles for loss for Iowa Western CC as a freshman.   

A TREE
Defensive end James Junious (Sr./Arlington, Texas) had six tackles, a sack and a forced fumble against Northwest Missouri last year. He had four tackles, half a tackle for loss, a pass break up and a quarterback hurry against Ft. Hays State. He recorded two tackles against Lindenwood and at Northeastern State. He had three tackles and half a tackle for loss against Central Oklahoma. He recorded four tackles and a sack at Central Missouri.

LEARJET
Defensive lineman Lear Schrader (Sr./Irvine, Calif.) was third in the MIAA with two fumble recoveries last year. He had three assisted tackles against Lindenwood. He was credited with two tackles at Northeastern State. He blocked a field goal attempt by Central Oklahoma and recovered a fumble against the Bronchos. He saw action in seven games as a sophomore for Orange Coast College in 2013 with 17 tackles, four TFL and an interception.  

WALKER, TEXAS RANGER
Defensive lineman Donovan Walker (So./Cottleville, Mo.) had three tackles at Neb.-Kearney last year. He was credited with two solo stops against Northwest Missouri. He had six tackles at Washburn and five tackles at Pitt State. He was a unanimous first-team All-GAC South Division pick at defensive end and earned first-team All-District and second-team all-state honors at Francis Howell HS.

DOMINATE AT THE LINE
Defensive end Dominique Jones (Sr./Kilgore, Texas) was moved to defensive end last year after starting the season at H-Back. He had five tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He had four solo stops against Northwest Missouri. He had a sack and forced fumble at Washburn for a loss of eight years. He had a solo tackle and quarterback hurry in his first exclusive action on defense at Mo. Western. He had a 21 yard reception against Central Oklahoma. He played in 18 games with six starts as the primary blocking tight end in two years at the University of Texas. He had a touchdown reception in the Longhorns 2010 game at Kansas State. He was a three-time all-district performer and starter at tight end and defensive end for Kilgore HS He was tabbed one of the top 10 defensive ends in Texas by Dave Campbell's Texas Football as a high school senior.

MR. ROBINSON
Defensive end Jordan Robinson (Jr./Topeka, Kan.) had three solo tackles at Mo. Western last year while playing linebacker. He had four tackles at Northeastern State. He opened the season with five stops against Missouri Southern. He played in nine games for the Hornets as a freshman after transferring from Butler CC.

A TON OF ABS
Defensive lineman Larenz Abston (Jr./Des Moines, Iowa) is in is first season with the Hornets. He had 35 tackles and an interception from his defensive end position at Ellsworth CC last season.

LINE DEPTH
Defensive linemen Brandon Allen (Sr./Cedar Rapids, Iowa), DeAndre Glover (Jr./Hempstead, Texas) and Logan Powell (Fr.-RS/Gardner, Kan.) will provide depth on the defensive line. Allen is in his second year with the Hornets after transferring from Iowa Western CC.  Glover had 38 tackles with a sack at Kilgore College last year. Powell was a second-team All-State performer and had 51 tackles, six tackles for loss and two forced fumbles for Gardner-Edgerton HS as a senior in 2013.

GRINDING DOWN
Safety Brandon Gentz (Sr./Emporia, Kan.) is back for his senior season after suffering a season ending injury against Central Missouri last year. He had six starts at the end of his sophomore year and recorded 26 of his 29 tackles in those starts. He had a career high two interceptions at Lincoln that he returned a total of 39 yards.  

SPEEDY
Cornerback A.J. West (So./Yukon, Okla.) recorded three tackles at Neb.-Kearney last season. He had three tackles and a pass break up against Northwest Missouri. He intercepted a pass in the endzone at Missouri Western. He had three tackles at Pittsburg State. He had two tackles and a pass break up against Lindenwood. He had a career high six tackles with two pass break ups at Northeastern State. He had a 17 yard kick return and a tackle against Central Oklahoma. He had a 20 yard kick return against Central Missouri. He had one tackle against Missouri Southern after making the move from running back to corner during training camp.  He earned All-American honors as a true freshman member of Emporia State's men's 4x400m relay team that placed eighth in the nation in 2014. He gained 1,702 yards on 195 carries as a senior for Yukon HS in his only year of high school football.

ACE OF MAYZE
Cornerback Ace Mayze (Jr./Arlington, Texas) had three tackles and a fumble recovery at Missouri Western last season. He recorded five tackles at Northeastern State. He had a pair of solo tackles against Central Oklahoma. He had one tackle and was credited with two pass break ups at Central Missouri. He was credited with five tackles against Missouri Southern. He saw action in all 11 games as a freshman. He had a season high five tackles, four of them solo stops, against Southwest Baptist.

BIDING TIME
Safety J.P. Lohrentz (Jr./Buhler, Kan.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets and has found a home at safety after bouncing back and forth between receiver and the defensive secondary for his first three years. He had four tackles against Northwest Missouri last season. He was a first-team All-State Class 4A selection and earned first-team All-AVCTL selection at receiver and defensive back for Buhler HS.

SAFETY IN NUMBERS
Safety Marcus Houghton (So./McPherson, Kan) had a career high eight tackles with a tackle for loss at Washburn last year. He had three tackles at Missouri Western. He got his first career start against Lindenwood and had three solo tackles, including one for a loss. He was a first-team All-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League performer for McPherson HS.
 
TRE BIEN
Cornerback Tre Dickerson (Jr./Corinth, Texas) had three tackles and a pass break up against Lindenwood. He had four tackles and an interception at Northeastern State. He earned a provisional NCAA qualifying mark in the triple jump in the spring for the Hornet track and field team.

JET ENGINE
Cornerback M.J. Mathis (Jr./Crosby, Texas) had four interceptions for Kilgore College last season to go with 22 tackles.

WHAT'S COOKING
Safety Drew Cook (Fr.-RS/Oklahoma City, Okla.) was an all-conference performer at Casady HS who had 32 receptions for 495 yards and four touchdowns as a senior receiver before moving to the defensive side of the ball for the Hornets.

SALTY
Kicker Austin Morton (So./Rockwall, Texas) led the MIAA and was 26th in the nation in field goal percentage and is ranked fifth in the league and was 45th in the country in field goals per game. He was the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week after going three for three on field goals at Mo. Western. He went 35 of 38 on PATs and ten of 13 on field goals with a long of 43 yards. He is tied for sixth in single season made field goals at Emporia State and one of just five players to make at least ten in a season.

MARCHING ON
Kicker/punter Justin Marcha (So./Edmond, Okla.) averaged 56.2 yards with nine touchbacks on 49 kick-offs and successfully executed two on-side kicks against Neb.-Kearney and another one against Northwest Missouri. He averaged 36.7 yards per punt on 46 punts. He has placed 15 punts inside the 20 and only one touchback while forcing eight fair catches.

INJURY REPORT
The Hornets are fairly healthy to start the season. Center Joe Pomatto (ankle) and tackle Keith Sellers (back) are the only two players listed as questionable entering the Missouri Southern game.

DID YOU CATCH IT
For the sixth year in a row, the Hornets will have a home game featured on the MIAA Television Network when they play host to Central Missouri in the home opener on September 10. It is the first of two scheduled appearances on television for Emporia State as they will play at Lindenwood on October 3 on MIAA TV as well. Last year the Hornets played twice on the MIAA Network, dropping a 42-14 decision to then #7 Northwest Missouri following a 30-10 win at Missouri Western. In 2013 they defeated Southwest Baptist 63-17 on October 12 for Homecoming. It was just the second time in seven games that the Hornets played a team with an under .500 record on the MIAA Network. The Hornets are third behind Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri for the most appearances on the MIAA Network over the last four years. The Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 game against Missouri Western was the first televised match-up of nationally ranked teams from Jones Field at Welch Stadium. The MIAA Network is available live to nearly 2 million homes. The Hornets have played 16 games on live television in the last 16 seasons with six of the games coming from Welch Stadium.
Video webcasts for all of Emporia State's regular season games are available on a pay per view basis from Stretch Internet as part of the conference wide webcast agreement. Each MIAA school receives credit for the games accessed through their portal.
Audio of all Emporia State games are available on KFFX 104.9FM and at www.kvoe.com with Greg Rahe, Chuck Samples and Ron Thomas providing the call. KFFX is in their 28th straight year as the radio home of Hornet Athletics, the longest active streak between a commercial station and an MIAA school.

HEAD COACH GARIN HIGGINS
Former Hornet Garin Higgins is the 21st head football coach at Emporia State and is just the second to lead the Hornets to ten wins in a season. In 2013 he became just the second coach to take the Hornets to the NCAA Playoffs and is one of just six Emporia State coaches to take the Hornets to a post season game of any type. He is 93-56 as a head coach with a 42-47 record at his alma mater. He is 33-23 in the last five seasons and 27-13 over the last 40 games. He compiled a 51-9 record as the head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State University before becoming the co-offensive coordinator at Minnesota State in 2005. He was the offensive coordinator at Northeastern State in 2006.  
He orchestrated one of the great turnarounds in Emporia State history. The Hornets went 19-4 in 2012 and 2013 after going 19-36 in his first five seasons.  The 19 wins in back to back seasons were the most since going 19-5 in 1988-89, while Higgins was a quarterback for Emporia State.
With five more wins in 2012 than 2011, he led the Hornets to the biggest improvement in wins from one season to the next in Emporia State history.  He had led the Hornets to within just one game of a post season berth in 2010 and 2011 before winning the Kanza Bowl in 2012. He is one of six Hornet coaches to win at least five games in four straight years.
While at NWOSU, he was named the Central State Football League Coach of the Year five straight years from 2000 through 2004. The Rangers won 31 consecutive games from 1998 through 2000 and were 15-3 against NCAA Division II schools under Higgins.
A native of Blackwell, Okla., Higgins graduated from Emporia State in 1992. He was a four-year letterman for the Hornets and helped lead the team to a national runner-up finish in 1989. He has been involved with four teams that have played for or won national championships as a player, coordinator or head coach. Higgins and his wife Heather, a 1995 graduate of ESU, are the parents of three children - son Halen and daughters Harlee and Gracyn.

THE NFL EXPERIENCE
The Hornets have had 14 players play in one of the major professional football leagues.  Two Hornets have won Super Bowl rings - Kelly Goodburn with the Washington Redskins and Leon Lett with the Dallas Cowboys. Adam Schiltz was on the Tennessee Titans practice squad in 2013 and was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad last year. Schiltz saw action in exhibition games with the Chiefs this year while Austin Willis played in exhibition action for the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills. Harold Ayodele was a part of the Kansas City Chiefs during training camp and saw action in exhibition games in 2011. Garin Higgins has coached three players that have gone on to play in the NFL regular season - Lynn Scott with the Dallas Cowboys, Sam Breeden with the Green Bay Packers, and Patrick Crayton with the Cowboys and San Diego Chargers.
 
THE POLLS SAY
The MIAA has two teams ranked in the top ten of the AFCA and D2Football.com polls to open the season, with one more team in the D2Football.com top 25 and two receiving votes in the AFCA poll.

OUTSIDE THE CONFERENCE
The Hornets have gone 10-2 in non-conference games under Garin Higgins and are 21-7 outside the MIAA in the 21st century. Since joining the MIAA, ESU is 30-12 in non-conference games and has lost only three games to unranked non-conference D-II opponents since 1996.  The MIAA has sent eight different schools to the NCAA playoffs in the last eight years and has had a team in the national championship game eight of the last 11 seasons.  

MIAA IN THE POSTSEASON
Since the MIAA first expanded in 1989 and the new teams became eligible for post season play in 1990, the MIAA has won six national championships and had a representative in 13 of 24 national championship games.  The MIAA has been represented in eight of the last 11 national championship games.  In that time the MIAA is 33-14 in the NCAA Playoffs and 10-5 in bowl games for a combined post season record of 43-19 against non-conference opponents.

A Hornet win would...
•make Emporia State 1-0 overall, 1-0 in the MIAA;
•make Emporia State 67-46-5 all-time in season openers;
•give Emporia State a 18-7 record in MIAA openers;
•make Emporia State 19-22 all-time against Missouri Southern;
•make Coach Higgins 43-47 at Emporia State and 94-56 overall;
•make Coach Higgins 8-1 in season openers at Emporia State and 13-1 all-time in season openers.

A Hornet loss would...
•make Emporia State 0-1 overall, 0-1 in the MIAA.
•make Emporia State 66-47-5 all-time in season openers;
•give Emporia State a 17-8 record in MIAA openers;
•make Emporia State 18-23 all-time against Missouri Southern;
•make Coach Higgins 7-2 in season openers at Emporia State and 12-2 all-time in season openers;
•make Coach Higgins 42-48 at Emporia State and 93-57 overall.

WORKING OVERTIME
• The Hornets are 4-8 in overtime games with wins in four of their last six after dropping their first four extra period contests.
• Three of ESU's 12 overtime games have come against Truman with ESU winning two of the three games.
• The quadruple overtime game in 2006 between ESU and PSU was the first MIAA regular season game to go to four overtimes and the first involving an MIAA team since NWMSU's 4 OT win against Carson Newman in the 1999 National Championship Game.
• ESU's 17 point deficit at the half against MSSU in 2011 was the largest half-time spread the Hornets have overcome for a win since joining the MIAA and matched the greatest deficit ever overcome for a win as an NCAA school.
•ESU came from 17-0 at the end of the first quarter to defeat Ft. Hays State 24-17 to open the 1992 season.