September 19, 2015-Emporia State gained a season high 214 yards rushing and Brent Wilson threw for over 300 yards as the Hornets improved to 3-0 with a 38-28 win at Central Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon.
GETTING STARTED
The Hornets forced a three and out on the Bronchos opening possession and then marched 68 yards in seven plays, capped by a 21 yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Justin Brown, to take a 7-0 lead. It is the first time this year the Hornets scored first in a game.
FOURTH DOWNS
The Hornets were three of four on fourth down in the game and the only one they didn't convert led to the Bronchos first score of the game. UCO's Levonte Douglas broke up a pass on fourth down at the Broncho 46 yard line and on the first play from scrimmage Chas Stallard fournd J.T. Luper for a 54 yard touchdown pass. Stallard evaded a sack and then Luper was able to break free of a tackle as the Bronchos tied the score at 7-7 with 1:40 left in the first quarter.
The Hornets would convert two fourth downs on their final drive of the half - a 13 yard scamper by Wilson on fourth and ten and a six yard completion from Wilson to Mitchell Foote down to the UCO 15 on fourth and six - that would lead to a Landon Nault eight yard touchdown run as time expired.
BACK IN OKLAHOMA
Nault, a Kingfisher, Okla. native, had 16 carries for 69 yards and two touchdown and added a 16 yard reception. Mitchell Foote, an Enid, Okla. native, had a game high nine receptions for 78 yards. El Reno, Okla. native Justin Brown had seven catches for 76 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game with a leg injury late in the fourth quarter. His final reception was a 12 yard completion down to the UCO two yard line that led to the final touchdown for the Hornets with 1:56 left in the game.
STRONG RUNNING GAME
Emporia State had three running backs with over 50 yards rushing in the game. Denzel Strong had 80 yards on seven carries, highlighted by a 70 yard run down to the UCO one yard line and would lead to a Austin Morton 21 yard field goal and 31-21 lead with 14:15 left in the game. Nault had 69 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns. Antonio Brown had a game high 18 carries for 54 yards and the game sealing touchdown with 1:56 left.
THREE HEADED MONSTERS
Kavaski Ervin had his second straight 100 yard receiving game, finishing with 106 yards on eight catches. Foote had 78 yards on nine catches and Justin Brown had 76 yards on seven catches and a touchdown.
SPECIAL TEAMS BOOMER
Justin Marcha averaged 49.0 yards on his two punts with a long of 64 yards and one touchback. The touchback came when the Broncho returned muffed the catch into the endzone and was tackled after he gained possession.
THREE TIMES 300
Brent Wilson went 31 of 43 for 316 yards and a touchdown and added 15 yards rushing on nine carries. It is the first time in his career he has had three straight games with at least 300 yards passing and the first time a Hornet has done it since Tyler Eckenrode went for over 300 yards in the first three games of the 2012 season.
GETTING STOPS
The Hornet defense had eight tackles for loss and three sacks in the game. Jordan Robinson was credited with eight tackles and 2.0 sacks, including a piece of the final sack with 1:06 left. Jason Tetuan had nine tackles, two for a loss and a forced fumble.
INJURY UPDATE
Justin Brown injured his leg on his key third down catch late in the game and left the field by ambulance.
UP NEXT
The Hornets return to Jones Field at Welch Stadium on September 26 to take on Northeastern State. Kick-off for the Family Day game is set for 2:00 p.m.
