#12 EMPORIA STATE FOOTBALL HEADS TO THE JUNGLE

Game #7
#12 Emporia State Hornets (6-1, 6-1 MIAA)
at Pittsburg State Gorillas (4-2, 4-2 MIAA)
 Saturday, Oct. 22 • 2:00 p.m. • Carnie Smith Stadium (7,950) • Pittsburg, Kan.
Series Record: PSU leads 59-33-2 Current Streak: ESU 1 win
Last Meeting: at ESU 46, PSU 42 (Oct. 10, 2015)
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 1:00 p.m. TV: None
Internet (Audio): www.kvoe.com Internet (Video): portal.stretchinternet.com/esu
Live Stats Complete Notes in pdf
Officials: Announced on Game Day
Up Next: vs. Ft. Hays State • Saturday, Oct. 29 • 2:00 p.m.
Jone Field at Welch Stadium (7,000) • Emporia, Kan.
 
INTO THE JUNGLE  
The #12 Hornets travel to Pittsburg State as the higher ranked team in the game for the first time as NCAA Division II members. Emporia State is looking for it's first win in Pittsburg since 2003.
 
LAST TIME OUT 
For the second time in four games Braxton Marstall led #12 Emporia State to a win in the fourth quarter as he scored the game winning touchdown with 15 seconds left in a 35-28 Homecoming victory over Lindenwood on Saturday.
The Hornets were shutout in the first half for the first time since Nov. 8, 2014 and trailed 7-0 at the break.  They would come out in the second half and scored on every possession, going at least 60 yards on every drive as they scored 35 points and had 353 yards of total offense in the final 30 minutes. The Hornet defense forced a three and out and stopped the Lions on downs to open the third quarter and allow Emporia State to go up 14-7.  Lindenwood scored on their next three possessions to tie the score at 21-21 with 3:17 left.  Marstall then took the Hornets 88 yards in 2:54 for the game winning touchdown.
Marstall finished the game 39 of 51 for 317 yards with a touchdown and added 49 rushing yards and two scores on 18 carries. Justin Brown had ten receptions for 75 yards while Mitchell Foote had seven catches for 91 yards and a touchdown.  Jaylen Lowe had four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown and completed his only pass for a 21 yard touchdown.  Kole Schankie had a team high nine tackles, including one for a loss.  Donovan Walker had 1.5 sacks among his three tackles to go with a quarterback hurry.
 
THE?COACHES
Garin Higgins has compiled a career record of 110-60 in his 15th season as a head coach. He is 59-51 in his tenth season at his alma mater and is 49-27 since the start of the 2010 season. He led the Hornets to the Kanza Bowl in 2012, the NCAA playoffs in 2013 & the national quarterfinals in 2015. 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 2-5 against Pittsburg State.
Tim Beck is 58-21 in his seventh year at Pittsburg State. He is 2-2 against Emporia State.
 
SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 6-1 on the season and ranked #12 in the nation. The Hornets have kept their opponent from scoring on their first drive in all seven games this season. They are ranked third in the MIAA in scoring defense at 25.1 points per game and fourth in scoring offense at 35.9 points per game. The Hornets are +12 in turnover margin on the season to rank third in the nation. Kole Schankie leads the MIAA and is ranked 11th in the nation in interceptions. Braxton Marstall is leading the MIAA in completions, is second in completion percentage and third in total offense. 
 
SCOUTING?THE GORILLAS
Pittsburg State is 5-2 on the season.  They are ranked second in the MIAA in scoring offense at 43.0 points and seventh in scoring defense at 35.6 points per game. Michael Rose is second in the MIAA in rushing at 100.4 yards per game while John Roderique is third in the league with 265.8 passing yards per game.
 
THE SERIES
This will be the 95th meeting between the schools, which makes it the fifth most played active rivalry at the NCAA Division II level. Pitt State leads the all-time series 59-33-2, but the two have split the last four games. 
 
LAST TIME OUT AGAINST PSU
Brent Wilson threw for 336 yards and ran for 108 as #18 Emporia State overcame an early 14 point deficit to defeat #13 Pittsburg State 46-42. Emporia State gave up touchdown drives on the first two Pittsburg State drives to trail 14-0 just 6:05 into the game. They would trail 28-19 with 1:58 left in the half before scoring 13 straight points to take a 32-28 lead with 4:37 left in the third quarter. Trailing 35-32 in the fourth quarter, Wilson was forced from the pocket and scrambled 36 yards to give the Hornets a 39-35 lead with 10:41 left in the game. The Gorillas would retake the lead with 4:44 left in the game. Wilson then engineered an eight play, 72 yard touchdown drive and capped it with a 14 yard touchdown pass to Kavaski Ervin with 2:06 left in the game.
 
UP NEXT
Emporia State returns to Welch Stadium for Senior Day against Ft. Hays State. Kick-off is set for 2:00 p.m. in last regular season home game.
 
YOU HAVE TO SCORE TO WIN
The Hornets are 47-8 under coach Higgins when scoring 28 or more points with a 42-3 record in their last 45 games in which they have scored at least 28 points.  Emporia State has averaged 41.2 points per game in their 32 wins and 18.9 points in their 14 losses since the Hornets last posted a shutout - a 13-0 win over Lindenwood in 2012.
 
RIDING SCHOOL
Quarterback Braxton Marstall (So./Emporia, Kan.) is ranked fifth in the nation in completion percentage, eighth in completions per game, and 19th in total offense. He leads the MIAA in completions, is second in completion percentage, third in total offense, fourth in touchdown passes, fifth in total passing yards and sixth in efficiency rating. He is eighth in the MIAA in rushing touchdowns and tenth in total rushing yards. He is the only player in the MIAA with at least 1700 passing yards and at least 300 rushing yards. He led the Hornets to a fourth quarter win for the second time in four games against Lindenwood.  He had career highs of 39 completions and 51 attempts against the Lions for 317 yards and a touchdown.  He added 49 yards rushing and two scores on the ground. He was 22 of 31 for 211 yards with an interception at Northeastern State and added 64 yards and two rushing touchdowns on 14 carries.  He went 29 of 41 for 354 yards with five touchdowns passing and added 56 yards on ten rushes against Central Oklahoma on his way to MIAA Offensive Player of the Week honors. He was 27 of 39 for 233 yards with two touchdowns and added 14 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown on the ground at Central Missouri and led the Hornets to a fourth quarter comeback for the first time in six starts. He went 19 of 24 for 209 yards with three touchdowns in the first half on the way to a 26 of 33 day with 279 yards and three scores against Missouri Southern. He was 24 of 42 for 272 yards and two touchdowns through the air and added a team high 73 yards on ten carries on the ground at Neb.-Kearney. He went eight of 16 for 63 yards with a touchdown and added a team high 31 rushing yards against Northwest Missouri. 
He redshirted last season after being thrown into the fire his true freshman year in 2014. He got his first start at Missouri Western in 2014 and was 24 of 38 for 233 yards and two touchdowns as he led the Hornets to a 30-10 road win. He led the Hornets to 21 second half points against Ft. Hays State as he was 10 for 19 for 102 yards after the break.
He only played two games as a senior at Emporia HS due to a collarbone injury.
 
DOUBLE DIP
Quarterback Jaylen Lowe (Jr./Owasso, Okla.) has rushed for a touchdown, thrown a touchdown pass, caught a touchdown pass and returned a punt for a touchdown this season. He was one for one passing with a 21 yard touchdown and caught four passes for 41 yards with a 13 yard touchdown against Lindenwood. He was one for one passing for 36 yards, had one catch for 11 yards, carried the ball seven times for 13 yards and a touchdown and had two punt returns for a total of 59 yards - including a 47 yard return for a touchdown - at Northeastern State. He is the only Hornet to have completed a pass, caught a pass, scored a rushing touchdown, punted and returned a punt for a touchdown since Emporia State became an NCAA school. He  had one catch for eight yards against Central Okla.. He was five for eight for 55 yards passing, had four receptions for 38 yards and carried the ball three times with a long rush of three yards against Mo. Southern. He went two of four for 21 yards passing, had six carries for 15 yards and caught a pass for one yard at Neb.-Kearney. He is the first Hornet with a rush, a catch and a pass completion in back to back games in the 21st century. He was four of five for 35 yards and added 19 yards on seven carries with a touchdown against Northwest Missouri.
He was a contender for the quarterback spot following his red-shirt season at Division I Tulsa before opting to play basketball at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. He averaged 13 points and four assists per game as a point guard for the Golden Norse. He will play both sports for the Hornets.
He was a first-team Tulsa World All-Metro selection in both football and basketball as a senior at Owasso HS and was the first player since 2006-07 to earn the honor in both by the Tulsa World.
 
MR. WALLACE
Quarterback T'Quan Wallace (Fr.-RS/Oklahoma City, Okla.) saw his first regular season action at Northeastern State in the fourth quarter.
He was impressive during the Hornets spring game. He completed 52 of 99 passes for 1,146 yards and 14 touchdowns in six games before suffering a season ending injury his senior season after being a three year starter at Casady Prep.
 
BIG FOOTE
Mitchell Foote (Sr./Enid, Okla.) leads the MIAA and is ranked 15th in the nation in touchdown catches. He is sixth in the MIAA in receptions and eighth in receiving yards. He had 91 yards on seven receptions against Lindenwood with 39 yards coming on three receptions on the Hornets final drive. He had three catches for 47 yards at Northeastern State. He had 11 catches for 167 yards and four touchdowns against Central Oklahoma. He had three catches for 35 yards including the game winning touchdown reception at Central Mo. He had five receptions for 56 yards and two touchdowns against Mo. Southern. He had eight catches for 89 yards at Neb.-Kearney. He had two catches for 30 yards against Northwest Missouri.
He was a first-team All-MIAA and CCA/CoSIDA All-Super Region3 pick. He led the MIAA with 12 touchdown receptions last season and finished the year with 79 catches for 877 yards.  He was second in the MIAA in receptions per game. He was 17th in the nation in receiving touchdowns and was second in the nation with two punt return touchdowns.
He had four receptions for 40 yards in the regional title game at Northwest Missouri. He had eight catches for 116 yards at Minnesota State. He had 67 yards on four catches at Northwest Missouri. He had six receptions for 54 yards and two touchdowns against Washburn. He caught six passes for 69 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Missouri Western. He had a career high 12 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns at Ft. Hays State and had a 66 yard punt return for a touchdown. He had six catches for 53 yards and a touchdown against Pittsburg State. He had 11 receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns at Lindenwood. He caught nine passes for 78 yards at Central Oklahoma. He had eight catches for 94 yards and a touchdown against Central Missouri. He had three catches for 50 yards and set a school record with an 88 yard punt return for a touchdown at Missouri Southern. 
He had 35 receptions for 378 yards in ten games with four touchdowns as a sophomore. He had five catches for 93 yards including a career long 40 yarder at Northeastern State.
As a freshman he caught five passes for 61 yards against Washburn. He had four receptions for 82 yards against Southwest Baptist. He snagged a five yard touchdown pass the first time he set foot on the field for the Hornets as a freshman against Neb.-Kearney. 
He has 179 receptions for 2,093 yards and 26 touchdowns in 40 career games. He is eight catches away from tying JJ Richard for fifth on the Hornets career receptions list.
 
JUST IN CASE
Receiver Justin Brown (So./El Reno, Okla.) leads the MIAA and ranks 15th in the nation in receptions per game and is tied for sixth in touchdown receptions. He had his second straight ten catch day with ten receptions for 75 yards against Lindenwood. He suited up but did not play at Northeastern State with an injury. He had ten catches for 109 yards against Central Oklahoma. He caught eight passes for 30 yards at Central Missouri. He had three catches for 29 yards and a touchdown against Missouri Southern. He caught seven passes for 89 yards and a touchdown at Neb.-Kearney. He had four catches for 16 yards and a touchdown against Northwest Missouri.
He was 15th in the MIAA in touchdown catches despite missing ten games last year. He had four touchdowns and averaged 89.0 yards per game over the first three games last season. He had seven catches for 76 yards and a touchdown in Edmond before he was lost for the season when he broke his leg. He had seven receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns against Central Missouri.  He started the season with five catches for 61 yards at Missouri Southern.
As a true freshman he had four of his 14 catches go for touchdowns. He had a then 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 caught five passes for 52 yards and a touchdown and added a two point conversion against Ft. Hays State. He averaged 15.5 yards in the 23 times he touched the ball as a freshman. 
 
THE TIME
Receiver Morris Williams II (Jr./Nashville, Tenn.) had four catches for 13 yards against Lindenwood after missing the Northeastern State game with an injury. He hauled in a 16 yard reception against Central Oklahoma. He had five catches for 43 yards at Central Missouri. He had six receptions for 69 yards and added a 13 yard touchdown run against Missouri Southern. It was his first rushing touchdown as a Hornet. He had four catches for 32 yards at Neb.-Kearney.
He exploded on the scene last year, averaging 118.3 receiving yards in the playoffs. On the year he was third in the MIAA in receiving touchdowns, fifth in total receiving yards and 20th in yards per catch. He had four touchdown catches of over 50 yards last year - a 68 yarder at Northwest Missouri in the playoffs, a 73 yarder at Minnesota State, a 51 yarder against Neb.-Kearney and an 80 yarder against Northeastern State.
He had a season high 191 yards on ten catches at Northwest Missouri in the regional final. He had a career high eight catches for 159 yards and a touchdown at Minnesota State. He had four catches for 67 yards with a touchdown against Neb.-Kearney. He had three receptions for 48 yards at Northwest Missouri. He had four catches for 45 yards against Washburn. He had five catches for 44 yards and a touchdown at Lindenwood. He had a break out game with four catches for 147 yards, all in the first half, against Northeastern State.  His 80 yard touchdown reception against the RiverHawks was the fourth longest in the MIAA last season and the longest by a Hornet receiver since 2012. He had 28 yards on four receptions at Central Oklahoma. He had a 14 yard touchdown against Central Missouri. He had a 39 yard reception at Missouri Southern.
He had 30 receptions for 509 yards and five touchdowns for Kilgore College as a freshman in 2013.
 
SIMPLE AS A-B-C 1-2-3
Receiver Jordan Jackson (So./Bonner Springs, Kan.) led the Hornets with six catches for 60 yards at Northeastern State. He caught passes for 41 yards and had a nine yard rush at Central Missouri. He had one reception for three yards against Missouri Southern. He caught one pass for four yards against Northwest Missouri.
He had three catches for 40 yards with a 24 yard touchdown against Neb.-Kearney. Two of his five catches last year went for touchdowns. He saw his first action of the year against Northeastern State and caught two passes for 25 yards, including a 21 yard touchdown on his first play from scrimmage.
He was a first-team All-Kaw Valley League quarterback at Bonner Springs HS as he threw for 4,230 yards and 43 touchdowns in his career while gaining 1,468 yards and running for 15 touchdowns on the ground.
 
THE DAILEY SHOW
Receiver Louis Dailey (Jr./Grand Prairie, Texas) had four receptions for 53 yards at Northeastern State. He had three catches for 20 yards against Missouri Southern. His first reception as a Hornet was a 49 yard touchdown pass at Neb.-Kearney. 
He had 36 receptions for 502 yards with six touchdowns in 2014 for Kilgore CC.
 
OVER THE MIDDLE
Receiver Jordan Reed (So./Edmond, Okla.) had 52 yards on three receptions at Central Missouri. He had five receptions for 60 yards against Missouri Southern.
He had a 56 yard touchdown against Pittsburg State and ended with two catches for 64 yards and one five yard rush against the Gorillas last year. He had two catches for 12 yards at Lindenwood. He took off his redshirt and had a 16 yard reception against Northeastern State in his first game with the Hornets.
He was an all-city and all-league wide receiver for Edmond Memorial HS where he had 35 catches for 954 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. He ran a 21.78 in the 200m to place third at Oklahoma Class 6A State Championships as a junior.
 
LEANER
Receiver Anthony Buffalomeat (Sr./Lawrence, Kan.) had a ten yard reception against Lindenwood. He had three catches for a team high 31 yards against Northwest Missouri.
He had a career high 99 yards on three receptions against Neb.-Kearney last year. His 65 yard touchdown against the Lopers was tied for the 17th longest reception in the MIAA last season.  He had two catches for 17 yards against Washburn. He had two receptions for 21 yards at Ft. Hays State. He had two catches for 15 yards against Pittsburg State. He had a career high nine catches for 55 yards at Lindenwood. He made his first career start against Northeastern State and caught two passes for 22 yards with a five yard touchdown catch. He had a 14 yard reception at Missouri Southern.
His first career reception came as a sophomore against Northwest Missouri for ten yards.
 
DEEP IMPACT
A total of 16 Hornets have caught a pass this year with 15 of them having a reception of over ten yards.  Brent Davenport (So./Dallas, Texas) had a team high 36 yard reception at Northeastern State.  Carson Proffitt (So./Lewisville, Texas) pulled in a 17 yard pass at Northeastern State and is averaging 17.0 yards per catch in 12 career games with the Hornets.
 
REESE'S PIECES
S-back Reese Richards (Sr./Azle, Texas) had three catches for 43 yards against Lindenwood. He caught one pass for 14 yards at Northeastern State. He had a 12 yard reception against Central Oklahoma. He had two catches, both for a first down, for 15 yards at Central Missouri. He had two catches for 22 yards against Missouri Southern.
He returns for his senior year after missing 12 games last season with a neck injury. He had three catches for 15 yards in the first half against Central Missouri before suffering the season ending neck injury. He had three catches for 49 yards at Missouri Southern.
He missed the final three games in 2014 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 last year. He finished the season with 14 catches for 210 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore. He caught three passes for 45 yards at Pittsburg State. He had three receptions for 33 yards against Lindenwood. He had 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.
 
GREAT BALLS OF FIRE
Tight end Trenton Ball (So./Midwest City, Okla.) had one reception for two yards at Henderson State last year in the playoffs. He had an 18 yard reception against Missouri Western. He got his first reception as a Hornet against Pittsburg State, going for four yards.
He 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.
 
NICK OF TIME
Tight end Nick Oliver (So./Overland Park, Kan.) had his first reception of the season against Lindenwood, a five yarder that was good for a first down.
He had a career long 18 yard reception at Henderson State last year in the playoffs. He had three receptions for 34 yards on the season.
He was All-Sunflower League pick at tight end for Shawnee Mission South HS and had 330 yards with seven touchdowns on 24 receptions.
 
SQUIER OF BACKS
S-back Brock Squier (Sr./Sanger, Texas) had a six yard reception at Ft. Hays State last season. He was a transfer from North Texas where he was a defensive back for two years.  He rushed for over 1,400 yards and 19 touchdowns while picking up 600 receiving yards and six touchdowns as a senior at Sanger HS.
 
BROWN AND SERVE
Running back Antonio Brown (Sr./St. Louis, Mo.) is ninth in the MIAA in total rushing yards and is third in yards per rush among payers with at least 50 carries on the season. He had eight carries for 34 yards against Lindenwood beforing getting injured. He is doubtful for the Pitt State game. He had 44 yards on five carries for an 8.8 yard average at Northeastern State. He had 12 carries for 79 yards against Central Oklahoma. He had 99 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns at Central Missouri. He had seven carries for 38 yards and a touchdown against Missouri Southern. He gained 58 yards on seven carries with a touchdown at Neb.-Kearney. He had 43 all-purpose yards against Northwest Missouri with 31 kick return yards, seven receiving yards and five rushing yards.
He was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection at running back last season. He was 12th in the MIAA in rushing with 674 yards and his five touchdowns rank 13th in the league. He had 82 all purpose yards against the Bearcats in the regional championship game. He had 59 yards on ten carries at Henderson State. He had a 13 yard touchdown catch on a shovel pass at Minnesota State. He had nine carries for 36 yards and a touchdown against Neb.-Kearney. He had a season long 41 yard kick off return at Northwest Missouri. He had nine carries for 43 yards against Washburn and added 33 yards on three receptions. He had 60 yards on 15 carries against Pittsburg State with a touchdown. He had 16 carries for 75 yards at Lindenwood. He had 11 carries for 50 yards against Northeastern State. He gained 54 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown at Central Oklahoma. He had 88 yards on 21 carries with a touchdown against Central Missouri. He had 80 yards on 17 carries at Missouri Southern.
He was tenth in the MIAA in rushing at 61.8 yards per game as a sophomore. He had 64 yards on 12 carries at Missouri Western. He became the first Hornet since Seville Ko in 2006 to have back to back 100 yard rushing days when 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. He had 536 rushing yards last year with 463 coming in the final seven games of the year. His nine touchdowns were the most by a Hornet freshman since joining the MIAA. He rushed for 66 yards against Washburn with 60 of them coming on ten carries in the fourth quarter. He had 13 carries for 68 yards against Northwest Missouri. He had 109 yards on 14 carries at Missouri Western.  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. 
He has rushed for 2,247 yards and 24 touchdowns with 65 catches for 391 yards and a score in 43 career games.
 
STRONG ENOUGH
Running back Denzel Strong (So./Independence, Mo.) gained 62 yards on eight carries with a touchdown against Lindenwood. He had four rushes for nine yards and added 42 yards on four receptions against Central Oklahoma. He had six carries for 25 yards against Missouri Southern. He ran for 27 yards on eight carries with a touchdown and added three receptions for 23 yards at Neb.-Kearney. He had 29 yards on just four carries against Northwest Missouri.
He was 16th in the MIAA in yards per carry among players with at least 50 rushes on the season. He was 21st in the league in total rushing with 406 yards last season.  He had 13 carries for 41 yards against Neb.-Kearney. He averaged 3.8 yards per carry against Northwest Missouri in the regular season. He had 12 carries for 51 yards against Washburn. He had 88 yards on 15 carries with a long rush of 41 yards against Missouri Western. He had four carries for 19 yards against Pittsburg State. He 42 yards on 11 rushes against Northeastern State. He had a team high 80 yards on seven carries at Central Oklahoma thanks to a season long 70 yard rush. It is the longest run from scrimmage by a Hornet since 2005. He had two carries against Central Missouri on back to back plays that gave the Hornets a key first down on the way to the go ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
He came to Emporia State after redshirting one season at Hutchinson CC. He had over 1300 yards at Van Horn HS.
 
LONG HILL
Running back Landon Nault (So./Kingfisher, Okla.) had 13 carries for 39 yards and added 25 yards on three receptions against Lindenwood. He had 12 carries for 67 yards along with five catches for seven yards at Northeastern State. He gained 46 yards on nine carries against Central Oklahoma. He had 20 rushes for 64 yards and added two receptions for 16 yards and a touchdown at Central Missouri. He gained 75 yards on 12 carries with a pair of touchdowns against Missouri Southern. He had a team high 14 carries at Neb.-Kearney for 33 yards. He had just one carry for four yards against Northwest Missouri. He also punted twice with a long of 43 yards against the Bearcats.
He was ranked tenth in the MIAA in rushing with 727 yards and was tied for 20th with four rushing touchdowns. He finished with 179 yards on 28 carries and a touchdown at Henderson State.  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 210 against Washburn in 1995. It is also the most yards gained by a Hornet in an NCAA Playoff game and the most in a post season game of any type since Tyler Paul had 224 yards in Emporia State's 34-27 overtime win against Winona State in the 2002 Mineral Water Bowl. He had 69 yards on 14 carries against Neb.-Kearney. He was the leading rusher for the Hornets with 21 yards on six carries at Northwest Missouri. He gained 49 yards on 14 rushes at Ft. Hays State. He had a game high 88 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown against Northeastern State. He got his first start and had 69 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries at Central Oklahoma. He had a 44 yard gain against Central Missouri and finished with nine carries for 75 yards against the Mules.  
He 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 (Sr./Sanger, Texas) has earned back to back Squarehead Awards as the top offensive lineman for the Hornets against Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State.
He was a third-team All-MIAA selection last year. He earned his third Squarehead Award of the year as the Hornets top offensive lineman against Pittsburg State when he had a season high 11 knockdowns. He also earned the honor against Northeastern State and in the opener against Missouri Southern. He 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 as a sophomore as well. He was a consensus preseason All-American, earning D2Football.com, Lindy's, BSN, and USA College Football honors as a junior.
In 2013 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 Squarehead honor was against Neb.-Kearney and he won the award in the Hornets wins over nationally ranked Missouri Western and Washburn.
 
HOOSIER DADDY
Guard DeAndre Herron (Sr./Avon, Ind) earned the Squarehead Award against Lindenwood when he moved back to tackle in the second half. The Lions had five first half sacks, but only two after the move. He started at guard against Central Missouri after starting the first three games at tackle. He earned the Squarehead Award against Missouri Southern.
He is a graduate transfer from the University of Indiana. He played in IU's win at Maryland in his only action with the Hoosiers.  He was a first-team all-conference performer at Iowa Western CC. He was an all-state performer and his team's Most Valuable Player at Avon (Ind.) HS.
 
BUILDING BRICKS
Center Jake Warehime (Jr./Choctaw, Okla.) was named the Squarehead Award winner against Northwest Missouri to start this season.
He started all 14 games at center last season. He was the Squarehead Award winner at Northwest Missouri in the regular season. He was first  named the Squarehead Award winner against Ft. Hays State. He went from not on the depth chart to the starting position in the space of a week heading into the Missouri Southern game last year. 
 
SPIDERMAN
Tackle Estevan Arana (Fr.-RS/Enid, Okla.) was named the Squarehead Award winner at Central Missouri. He saw his first action for the Hornets against Northwest Missouri after redshirting last season. He was a three-year letterwinner for Enid HS and earned all-conference, all-district and all-state honors on the offensive line.
 
GREAT DANE
Tackle Dane Riley (Jr./Azle, Texas) was named the Squarehead Award winner against Neb.-Kearney. He got to start against Northeastern State as a freshman and saw considerable action over the final four games of the season. He was a first-team All-District pick at left tackle for Azle HS. He was credited with 14 pancake blocks as a senior.
 
BOYS IN THE HALL
Guard Dylan Hall (Jr./Topeka, Kan.) missed two games with a back injury but returned to action at Central Missouri. He was named the Squarehead Award winner against Washburn last season. He got his first career start against Missouri Western. He is in his third year with the Hornets and is working at both center and guard. He was an All-Centennial League first-team pick, helping Seaman HS reach the 5A playoffs as a senior.
 
IN THE CENTER OF IT ALL
Center Joe Pomatto (Jr./Paola, Kan) has seen action in all six games this year. He missed the first four games last year with an injury. He returned to action against Lindenwood. He is in his fourth 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.
 
PLAY RIGHT AWAY
Tackle Austin Unterreiner (Fr./O'Fallon, Mo.) has moved into the offensive line rotation as a true freshman.  He was a first-team all-conference and second-team all-district performer for Francis Howell HS.
 
VIVA LAS VEGA
Guard Nick Vega (Sr./Emporia, Kan.) has moved onto the offensive line for his senior season after playing on defense the first three years at Emporia State.
 
THE WEIRDNESS
Guard Thomas O'Grady (Jr./Topeka, Kan.) missed three games with an ankle injury before returning to action against Lindenwood. He saw action in all 14 games last year. He played at Butler CC as a freshman 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.
 
ON THE DEFENSE
Emporia State is ranked third in the MIAA in scoring defense at 25.1 points per game. They are fourth in the MIAA in pass efficiency defense and lead the league with 12 interceptions to rank 12th nationally. The Hornets have forced a punt or turnover on their opponents opening drive of all seven games. On the season ten of Emporia State's opponents 26 scoring drives have covered 50 yards or less. The Hornets have allowed only 18 scores, 13 touchdowns and five field goals, on 84 drives that have started on their opponents side of midfield.
 
VICTORY OF THE PEOPLE
Linebacker Kole Schankie (Sr./Madison, Kan.) leads the MIAA with four interceptions is ranked 11th in the nation in interceptions per game. He had nine tackles and a quarterback hurry against Lindenwood. He had a 65 yard interception return for a touchdown at Northeastern State. He had 13 tackles with two for a loss against Central Oklahoma. He was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Week after recording a team high seven tackles with a key 47 yard interception return in the fourth quarter at Central Missouri. He had four solo tackles, an interception, a pass break up, a forced fumble and recovery against Missouri Southern. He was credited with five tackles and had an interception at Neb.-Kearney. He had a team high nine tackles against Northwest Missouri with eight of them solo.
He was named third-team All-MIAA. He was tenth in the MIAA in total tackles, 11th in tackles for loss, and 20th in sacks last season. He had seven tackles against Northwest Missouri in the NCAA Quarterfinals. He had six tackles and forced a fumble on the first play from scrimmage at Henderson State. He recorded 12 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and half a sack at Minnesota State. He had three tackles and an interception that led to Emporia State's first score against Neb.-Kearney. He had a game high 12 tackles with a sack and two tackles for loss at Northwest Missouri. He had five tackles with a TFL that included a forced fumble and recovery against Washburn. He was named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Week after recording a career high 14 tackles, a forced fumble and a recovery against Missouri Western. He was credited with eight tackles, 2.5 for a loss, two pass break ups and a sack at Ft. Hays State. He had six tackles against Pittsburg State. He was credited with nine tackles at Lindenwood. He had seven tackles and 1.5 TFL against Northeastern State. He was credited with three tackles at Central Oklahoma. He had ten tackles including a sack against Central Missouri.
He had been a key contributor on special teams during his first two years with the Hornets and had eight solo tackles as a sophomore.
 
REVOLUTIONARY
Nickel Josh Monteagudo (Sr./Cape Coral, Fla.) had three tackles and a quarterback hurry against Lindenwood. He was credited with five tackles at Northeastern State.  He returned to action against Northeastern State after he was knocked out of the game by a targeting on Central Missouri's second offensive drive of the game. He was credited with three tackles against Missouri Southern. He had five tackles with a strip sack at Neb.-Kearney. He had five unassisted tackles and six total stops against Northwest Missouri.
He was an honorable mention All-MIAA pick. He was 12th in the MIAA in tackles and 21st in tackles for loss last season. He had five tackles with two pass break ups at Northwest Missouri in the regional final. He was credited with four tackles, two for a loss, at Henderson State. He had ten stops at Minnesota State. He had five tackles against Neb.-Kearney. He was credited with five tackles, four of them solo, at Northwest Missouri. He had five tackles and a pass break up against Washburn.  He had 14 stops against Missouri Western. He was credited with ten total tackles, seven of them unassisted, at Ft. Hays State. He had four solo tackles and five total stops against Pittsburg State. He recorded 11 tackles at Lindenwood. He was credited with eight tackles at Central Oklahoma with 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass break up. He had eight tackles with a sack against Central Missouri. He had seven tackles and an interception return of 14 yards at Missouri Southern. He 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 as a sophomore. 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.
He has 223 total tackles, 140 of them solo, in 41 career games and has averaged 6.8 tackles in four career playoff games.
 
CLEVELAND ROCKS
Linebacker Gabe Cleveland (Jr./Eudora, Kan.) returned to action against Lindenwood with five tackles, including an assist behind the line of scrimmage after missing the Northeastern State game with an injury. He had five tackles and a quarterback hurry against Central Oklahoma. He had four tackles, half of them for a loss and added a quarterback hurry at Central Missouri. He returned to action against Missouri Southern after he missed Neb.-Kearney with a hamstring injury. He had five tackles and the Hornets lone sack against Northwest Missouri.
Last year he had three tackles at Henderson State in the playoffs. He was credited with five tackles against Washburn, three of them solo. He had a fumble recovery on special teams for the Hornets against Pittsburg State. He had three tackles at Lindenwood. He had seven tackles and a sack for a loss of ten yards against  Northeastern State. He had a tackle for loss inside the Hornets five yard late in the fourth quarter that helped hold Central Missouri to a field goal with 5:35 left.
 
REMINGTON STEELE
Linebacker Remington Whitley (Jr./Olathe, Kan.) was credited with four tackles at Northeastern State. He led Emporia State with nine tackles against Missouri Southern. He got his first career start at middle linebacker and recorded four tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He had a tackle for loss against Northwest Missouri in the season opener.
He missed three games late with a leg injury, but did see time against Northwest Missouri in the playoffs. He had two tackles against the Bearcats in the regular season. He was credited with two tackles against Northeastern State. He had two tackles at Central Oklahoma.
He recorded four tackles at Pittsburg State as a freshman. 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.
 
STARE DOWN
Linebacker Jarron Ogles (Sr./Topeka, Kan.) was credited with two tackles at Northeastern State. He had two solo stops against Central Oklahoma. He played most of the game at nickel linebacker in place of injured Josh Monteagudo and had six tackles with four of them solo at Central Missouri. He was credited with three unassisted tackles against Missouri Southern. He had three solo stops at Neb.-Kearney. He recorded two tackles against Northwest Missouri.
He had a solo tackle against Neb.-Kearney last year. He had two tackles against Missouri Southern. He is in his third 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.
 
A GOOD MAN
Linebacker Brandon Goodman (Sr./Paola, Kan.) had two tackles against Lindenwood. He was credited with four tackles at Northeastern State. He had a sack and a strip among his three tackles at Central Missouri. He was credited with seven tackles including one for a loss against Missouri Southern. He had two assists at Neb.-Kearney and a solo tackle against Northwest Missouri.
He was credited with five tackles at Henderson State in last year's playoffs. He had three tackles at Northwest Missouri in the regular season. He had two tackles against Northeastern State.
As a sophomore he 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.
 
LOGAN'S RUN
Linebacker Logan Thompson (Jr.-TR/Sedgwick, Kan.) had one solo tackle against Lindenwood. He had a tackle for loss at Northeastern State. He returned to action against Central Oklahoma after he missed the previous two games with an ankle injury. He had a solo tackle at Neb.-Kearney.
He played in five games for Kansas State before transferring to Emporia State in the spring.
He was named a First Team All-Kansas 4A linebacker by VarsityKansas.com as he helped Sedgwick HS earn back-to-back league, district and bi-district championships. He recorded over 2,900 total yards and 36 total touchdowns in 12 games as a senior. He was a 2013 Kansas Shrine Bowl selection.
 
THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT
Linebacker Curtis Shorts (Sr./Ft. Worth, Texas) returned to action at Northeastern State after he missed the Central Oklahoma game with concussion like symptoms. He had four tackles against Missouri Southern. He recorded two tackles at Neb.-Kearney.
He had three tackles and a quarterback hurry at Henderson State in last year's playoff game.  He had two tackles and forced a fumble against Northeastern State. He sat out 2014 with an injury. He worked with the practice squad in 2013 after transferring from Abilene Christian. He was a unanimous first team all-district selection with 115 tackles at safety for Lake Worth HS in Fort Worth, Texas.
 
CLEANHEAD
Defensive lineman Eddie Vinson (Sr./Omaha, Neb.) is ranked ninth in the MIAA in tackles for loss  with 6.5 on the season and is 21st in sacks with 2.0 on the year.  He recorded two tackles against Lindenwood. He had four tackles at Northeastern State. He had sacks on two of the first three plays against Central Oklahoma. He recorded six tackles, two tackles for loss, a quarterback hurry and knocked down a pass at the line of scrimmage at Central Missouri. He had two tackles and half of a tackle for loss against Missouri Southern. He had his first career interception at Neb.-Kearney and added a tackle for loss. He had four tackles, including one for a loss against Northwest Missouri and was named the defensive player of the game by the Hornet coaching staff.
He was named third-team All-MIAA last year. He was tied for 20th in the MIAA in sacks and 35th in tackles for loss last season. He had three tackles and half a sack at Northwest Missouri in the regional championship game. He scored his first career touchdown on a fumble recovery at Henderson State. He had seven tackles, forced the first fumble of the game and later recovered a fumble at Minnesota State. He recorded three tackles and half a tackle for loss against Neb.-Kearney. He had three tackles at Northwest Missouri. He forced a fumble on a sack against Washburn. He was credited with four tackles at Ft. Hays State. He had five tackles and a sack against Pittsburg State.  He had three tackles, 1.5 TFL with half a sack at Lindenwood. He was credited with two quarterback hurries against Northeastern State. He had seven tackles with half a sack at Central Oklahoma after being held to one tackle against Central Missouri. He had eight tackles, 2.0 TFL and half a sack at Missouri Southern. He was named to the USA College Football NCAA D-II Preseason All-American watch list in 2015.
He was an honorable mention All-MIAA pick as a sophomore. 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 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. 
He has 124 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks in 32 career games.
 
LETHAL WEAPON
Defensive linemen DeAndre Glover (Sr./Hempstead, Texas) is ranked fourth in the MIAA in tackles for loss with 9.0 in six games. He had four solo tackles, half of them for a loss, against Lindenwood. He had six tackles with two tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry against Central Oklahoma.  He had seven tackles, including three tackles for loss and an sack at Central Missouri. He had a solo tackle against Missouri Southern. He was credited with a solo stop at Neb.-Kearney. He had five solo tackles, two of them for a loss against Northwest Missouri.
He had a solo tackle and a quarterback hurry at Northwest Missouri in the playoffs and recorded four tackles there during the regular season. He was credited with two tackles against Missouri Western. He had a pair of solo tackles against Pittsburg State. He was credited with two tackles at Lindenwood. He had two tackles and half a sack at Central Oklahoma. He had a sack against Central Missouri.
He had 38 tackles with a sack at Kilgore College as a sophomore.
 
THE FIRST DAY
Defensive end Tre'Vaun Ammons (Fr.-RS/Omaha, Neb.) is tied for fifth in the MIAA with 3.5 sacks. He had four tackles, half a sack and two quarterback hurries against Lindenwood. He had a sack and strip in the end zone on the second play from scrimmage at Northeastern State that resulted in a Hornet defensive touchdown. He was credited with three tackles, a quarterback hurry and batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage against Central Oklahoma.  He had three tackles and recovered a fumble at Central Missouri. Both of his tackles against Missouri Southern were for a loss with one being a sack. He had three tackles including a sack for a loss of ten yards at Neb.-Kearney. He had two unassisted tackles and a quarterback hurry in his Hornet debut against Northwest Missouri.
He was a second-team All-Metro selection for Omaha North HS and had 93 total tackles as a senior.
 
WALKER, TEXAS RANGER
Defensive lineman Donovan Walker (Jr./Cottleville, Mo.) is tied for second in the MIAA with four sacks on the season. He had three tackles, 1.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry against Lindenwood.  He had three tackles at Northeastern State and recovered a fumble in the end zone against the RiverHawks. He had six tackles with a sack against Central Oklahoma. He had two tackles with one of them being a sack at Central Missouri. He had two assisted tackles against Missouri Southern with one on a sack and was also credited with a quarterback hurry. He was credited with a pair of solo stops against Northwest Missouri.
He had three tackles and a 16 yard fumble recovery at Minnesota State. He had four tackles and a solo sack for a loss of nine yards at Lindenwood. He had five solo tackles with three of them for a loss including a sack of ten yards against Northeastern State. He was credited with three tackles and half a TFL at Missouri Southern.
He had three tackles at Neb.-Kearney as a freshman. He was credited with two solo stops against Northwest Missouri. He had six tackles at Washburn and five tackles at Pitt State.
 
THE HERD
Defensive lineman Colin Frickey (Jr./Clearwater, Kan) had two tackles and half a sack against Lindenwood. He had one unassisted tackle at Central Missouri. He was credited with a solo stop against Missouri Southern. He had two tackles, a forced fumble and a sack at Neb.-Kearney.
He played in six games for the Racers at Murray State and played one year at Butler CC. He had 44 tackles in ten games for the Grizzlies. He was a three-time AVCTL selection at tight end for Clearwater HS including and a two-time selection at defensive end, with a first team nod in 2013.
 
BASSMASTER
Defensive lineman Parker Bass (So./Emporia, Kan) recorded three tackles at Northeastern State. He had two unassisted tackles against Central Okla. He recorded two solo tackles at Central Missouri. He assisted on a sack against Mo. Southern. He had two tackles against Northwest Missouri in his first action after taking last year off from football.
He was a second-team Top 11 pick as a senior for Emporia HS and was the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Centennial League as a senior.
 
YOU'RE GONNA DO WHAT
Defensive lineman Ugonna Nwarie (Jr./Arlington, Texas) forced and recovered a fumble at Northeastern State. He recorded one solo tackle against Central Oklahoma. He had two tackles, one for a loss of three yards, against Missouri Southern.  He missed the Neb.-Kearney game with a hand injury. He had four tackles with three of them unassisted against Northwest Missouri.
He played in 21 games in two years at Trinity Valley CC and had 33 tackles with five sacks and two forced fumbles. He played at Mansfield Timberview HS in Arlington, Texas.
 
HIGH WATTAGE
Defensive lineman Brance Watts (Fr.-RS/Sanger, Texas) moved from offensive line to defense prior to the Northeastern State game and was credited with three tackles against the RiverHawks. He was a first-team All-District and honorable mention all-state performer in class 4A for Sanger HS on the offensive line. 
 
A TON OF ABS
Defensive lineman Larenz Abston (Sr./Des Moines, Iowa) has missed the first seven games with an abdominal injury and is doubtful for this week.
He had two tackles at Northwest Missouri in the playoffs. He had four assisted tackles, half a sack and two assisted tackles for loss with a forced fumble at Henderson State. He was credited with three tackles at Northwest Missouri. He had four tackles and 0.5 TFL against Washburn. He had four tackles at Ft. Hays State. He had six tackles with 1.5 sacks and a pass break up at Lindenwood. He had three tackles, two of them for a loss against Northeastern State. He forced a fumble at the Hornets one yard line that was recovered in the endzone against Central Missouri.
He had 35 tackles and an interception at Ellsworth CC in 2014.
 
SPEEDY
Cornerback A.J. West (Jr./Yukon, Okla.) had two assisted tackles against Lindenwood. He had an interception and was credited with another pass break up at Northeastern State. He had six unassisted tackles against Central Oklahoma. He returned the opening kick-off 56 yards and then had three solo tackles at Central Missouri. He recorded two solo stops at Neb.-Kearney. He had six tackles against Northwest Missouri with five of them solo.
He earned third-team All-MIAA honors last year when he tied for 21st in the MIAA in interceptions and had a total of four take aways on the season. He had five tackles at Northwest Missouri in the playoffs. He had five tackles and a pass break up at Henderson State. He had four tackles at Minnesota State. He had a career high nine tackles with two pass break ups and two tackles for loss against Neb.-Kearney. He was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Week after returning an interception 59 yards for a score and adding a ten yard fumble recovery against Washburn. He had five tackles against Pittsburg State. He was credited with seven tackles, six of them solo, with a tackle for loss at Lindenwood. He had three tackles and an interception against Northeastern State. He had seven tackles and a pass break up at Central Oklahoma. He recorded five tackles and a fumble recovery in the endzone against Central Missouri. He had five tackles at Missouri Southern.
As a freshman he intercepted a pass in the endzone at Missouri Western. He had 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 earned All-American honors as a true freshman on Emporia State's men's 4x400m relay team that placed eighth in the nation in 2014.
 
TRE BIEN
Cornerback Tre Dickerson (Sr./Corinth, Texas) is tied for sixth in the MIAA in passes defended with six break ups and two interceptions and sixth in interceptions. He had three tackles against Lindenwood. He had two tackles and blocked a PAT at Northeastern State. He recorded three tackles, two pass break ups and an interception against Central Oklahoma. He had five tackles and two pass break ups at Central Missouri. It is not credited as a pass break up but he also deflected a pass in the end zone in overtime that was eventually intercepted by MJ Mathis. He had an interception and a pass break up against Missouri Southern. He was credited with a team high seven tackles at Neb.-Kearney with a pass break up. He had three solo stops against Northwest Missouri in the opener.
He earned honorable mention All-MIAA status last year. He was tied for second in the MIAA in passes defended and tied for sixth with four interceptions.  He had nine stops at Northwest Missouri in the playoffs with a pair of pass break ups. He had three pass break ups and two tackles at Henderson State. He had seven tackles at Minnesota State. He had five tackles and an interception against Neb.-Kearney. He had two tackles, two pass break ups and returned a fumble 23 yards at Northwest Missouri. He had four tackles, an interception and a pass break up against Washburn. He had six tackles and a pass break up at Ft. Hays State. He had two interceptions, two tackles and a pass break up against Pittsburg State. He had a career and team high 12 tackles at Lindenwood. He had six tackles at Central Oklahoma, five of them solo. 
He had three tackles and a pass break up against Lindenwood as a sophomore. He had four tackles and an interception at Northeastern State.
He earned a provisional NCAA qualifying mark and was eighth in the MIAA in the triple jump in the spring for the Hornet track and field team. He was the 13th best football player in the triple jump across all three NCAA Divisions last year.
 
JET ENGINE
Cornerback M.J. Mathis (Sr./Crosby, Texas) is tied for sixth in the MIAA with two interceptions. He had four tackles against Lindenwood. He was credited with four tackles at Northeastern State. He had a solo tackle and an interception in overtime at Central Missouri. He was credited with two solo tackles and had an interception against Missouri Southern. He had a 33 yard kick return at Neb.-Kearney. He had four tackles and two kick returns for a total of 46 yards against Northwest Missouri.
He had two tackles and an interception in the endzone that kept Henderson State from scoring a touchdown in last year's playoffs. He had a season's best 68 yard kick-off return against Neb.-Kearney. He had two tackles at Northwest Missouri. He had three solo tackles against Washburn. He was credited with two tackles including half a tackle for loss against Missouri Western.
He had four interceptions for Kilgore College as a sophomore to go with 22 tackles.
 
1ST RECON BATTALION
Cornerback Ferrando Joseph (Jr.-TR/Corrinth, Texas) had a solo tackle against Lindenwood. He was credited with four tackles at Northeastern State. He had two two tackles against Central Oklahoma. He had four tackles and a pass breakup at Central Missouri. He was credited with seven solo tackles against Missouri Southern. He had a solo tackle at Neb.-Kearney.
He played in 19 games over two years with 17 total tackles at Louisiana-Monroe. He earned first team all-district and second team all-area honors as a wide receiver during his senior season for Lake Dallas HS and had 20 tackles and two interceptions at cornerback.
 
BIDING TIME
Safety J.P. Lohrentz (Sr./Buhler, Kan.) had four solo tackles and a pass break up against Lindenwood. He was credited with three tackles at Northeastern State. He had four tackles against Central Oklahoma. He was credited with seven tackles and a pass break up at Central Missouri. He had one tackle against Missouri Southern. He had three tackles and forced a fumble against Northwest Missouri.
He was tied for second in the MIAA in interceptions and was 13th in the MIAA in passes defended with 11 total. Four of his five interceptions came in the playoffs. He had 11 tackles at Northwest Missouri and averaged nine tackles per game in the playoffs last year. He was credited with four tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception at Henderson State. He had a career high 12 tackles and three interceptions with a fumble recovery for a score at Minnesota State.  He had seven tackles and a forced fumble at Northwest Missouri. He recorded seven tackles with an interception and a pass break up against Mo. Western. He was credited with six tackles, five of them unassisted at Ft. Hays State. He had six solo tackles and three pass break ups against Pittsburg State. He had ten tackles against Central Missouri. He had six tackles and a forced fumble at Mo. Southern.
He is in his fifth 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 as a sophomore.
 
SAFETY IN NUMBERS
Safety Gary Woods II (Fr.-RS/Oklahoma City, Okla.) is tied for sixth in the MIAA in interceptions. He had six tackles against Lindenwood. He had an interception at Northeastern State. He recorded six tackles against Central Oklahoma. He had three tackles and an interception at the end of the half that allowed the Hornets to hold onto the lead at Central Missouri. He had five takles, one tackle for loss and a pass break up against Missouri Southern. He had two solo stops at Neb.-Kearney. He had two tackles against Northwest Missouri in his Hornet debut.
He was a two-time all-Southwest Prep Conference (includes schools from Oklahoma and Texas) selection at Casady Prep and named second-team Little All-City by the Daily Oklahoman. He has three uncles that played in the NFL Rashaun Woods, D'Juan Woods and Donovan Woods.
 
TOP DESIGN
Safety Marcus Houghton (Jr./McPherson, Kan) has missed the last three games with an ankle injury and is probable for Pittsburg State. He recorded four solo tackles at Central Missouri. He had three unassisted tackles against Missouri Southern. He had five solo tackles and a forced fumble with the recovery at Neb.-Kearney. He forced the fumble on a Loper receiver at the one yard line and returned it 49 yards to midfield.
He had 20 tackles while playing in all 14 games last year. He had five tackles against Neb.-Kearney. He recovered fumbles against Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State in back to back weeks.
He had a career high eight tackles with a tackle for loss at Washburn as a freshman. 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.
 
THE LOHR OF THE LAND
Defensive back Dillon Lohr (Fr.-RS/Midwest City, Okla.) has found his way onto the depth chart this season after red shirting last year for Emporia State. He had a kickoff return of 21 yards against Lindenwood. He was credited with one tackle at Northeastern State.
He was an all-state and all-city performer and district offensive player of the year for Carl Albert HS. He had 172 carries for 1,299 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior but was a two star recruit by scout.com at defensive back and has been on defense his entire Hornet career.
 
CLOSE THE GATE
Defensive back Roscoe Gatewood (Fr.-RS/Midwest City, Okla.) has moved into the rotation this year after red shirting for the Hornets last year. He was credited with one tackle at Northeastern State. He was an all-state performer as a senior defensive back for Midwest City HS. He was a three-year starter that recorded over 300 career tackles and a three-time state qualifier in power-lifting.
 
SALTY
Kicker Austin Morton (Jr./Rockwall, Texas) is sixth in the MIAA in made field goals, is fifth in kick scoring and tied for the sixth longest made field goal in the MIAA this year. He was five for five on PAT against Lindenwood to move into second place on the Emporia State career chart, passing Adam Hunt with 119 from 1991-94. He hit a pair of career long 44 yard field goals at Northeastern State. He was five for five against Central Oklahoma.  He went four for four on PATs and hit a 32 yard field goal at Central Missouri. He was seven for seven on PAT's against Missouri Southern and missed a 47 yard field goal attempt. He was two for three on field goal attempts and hit all four PAT attempts at Neb.-Kearney. He hit both PAT attempts against Northwest Missouri in the opener.
He was an AP Little All-American last season and has been named a preseason All-American by Lindy's and the Sporting News despite being just honorable mention All-MIAA. He led the MIAA and ranked fifth in the nation in field goal accuracy and was second in the nation in total field goals made. He was ranked second in the MIAA in kick scoring and third in overall scoring with 122 points after going 56 of 59 on PATs and 22 of 25 on field goals to set Emporia State records last year.
He set the Emporia State single game record with five made field goals in the rain at Henderson State with two of them from over 40 yards out. He broke the single game record of four shared by three players - Eli Kuhns in 2012 against Lincoln, Matt Perry against Missouri Southern in 2008 and Justin Gray at Missouri Western in 2004. He was perfect against Minnesota State going six of six on PATs and three of three on field goals, including a game winning 33 yarder as time expired. It was the first time Emporia State kicked a field goal to win a game as time expired in 25 years as a member of the NCAA. He was two for two on field goals against Washburn and had a 14 yard reception for a first down on a fake field goal. He was two for two on field goals against Pittsburg State. He was the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week after going seven of seven on PAT and two for two on field goals against Northeastern State. 
As a freshman he led the MIAA and was 26th in the nation in field goal percentage and was 45th in the country in field goals per game. He was MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week after going three for three on field goals at Missouri Western. He went 35 of 38 on PATs and ten of 13 on field goals with a long of 43 yards.
He is ranked second at Emporia State in career field goals made with 37 makes behind Justin Gray's 58 makes from 2001-04. He holds the Emporia State single game and season records for most field goals made and is one of two Hornets with multiple seasons of ten plus made field goals. He is 37 of 49 in his career on field goals at Emporia State and has made 123 of 130 PAT attempts. He ranks second in made PATs for the Hornets behind Justin Gray with 135 from 2001-04. He is eighth in total field goals made among active D-II players and is the third ranked junior in total field goals made among active D-II players.
 
MARCHING ON
Kicker/punter Justin Marcha (Jr./Edmond, Okla.) is fifth in the MIAA in punting average at 40.2 yards per punt and he has the second longest punt of the year in the league. He averaged 43.6 yards per punt against Lindenwood. He averaged 54.3 yards per punt with a career best 70 yarder at Northeastern State and averaged 62.3 yards on nine kickoffs. He averaged 39.2 yards on five punts against Central Oklahoma. He averaged 61.4 yards per kickoff at Central Missouri. He had two touchbacks and the Mules average field position after kick-offs was their own 22.4 yard line. He also averaged 38.7 yards per punt with a long of 48 yards and one inside the 20 yard line. He averaged 60.2 yards with just one touchback in eight kick-offs against Missouri Southern. He averaged 41.2 yards on six punts at Neb.-Kearney. He also averaged 57.1 yards on seven kick-offs with one touchback. He averaged 35.0 yards on five punts against Northwest Missouri. 
He was an honorable mention selection at punter. He was sixth in the MIAA in punting average at 38.8 yards per punt. As a team the Hornets were third in the MIAA in net punting at 35.0 net yards per punt. Four of his 55 punts went at least 50 yards with long of 64 yards at Central Oklahoma and he forced 12 fair catches. He also kicked off for the Hornets and averaged 58.1 yards per kick with 19 touchbacks on 87 kick offs.
All three of his kick-offs at Northwest Missouri in the playoffs were good for touchbacks. He punted twice at Henderson State for an average of 37.5 yards. He averaged 41.5 yards on six punts at Minnesota State with on blocked. He averaged 39.1 yards on eight punts at Northwest Missouri, forcing three fair catches, and had one blocked. He averaged 39.7 yards on three punts against Missouri Western. All five of his kick-offs went into the endzone at Ft. Hays State. He had a 50 yard punt against Pittsburg State and averaged 37.8 yards on five punts. He averaged 49.0 yards per punt at Central Oklahoma with a career long of 64 yards. He averaged 44.5 yards per punt with a long of 56 yards against Central Missouri. He averaged 43.8 yards on four punts at Missouri Southern.
As a freshman he averaged 56.2 yards with nine touchbacks on 49 kick-offs. He 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 placed 15 punts inside the 20 with only one touchback while forcing eight fair catches.
 
INJURY REPORT
Linebacker Ty McKenzie, defensive back Jarrett Strode and running back Kai Callins are out for the season with knee injuries. Defensive lineman Larenz Abston (abdominal) and running back Antonio Brown (knee) are doubtful. Safety Marcus Hughton (ankle) is probable.
 
THE POLLS SAY
The MIAA has two teams ranked in the top 25 and one other receiving votes in the AFCA national poll and three teams in the Top 25 of the D2Football.com poll. The Hornets are ranked #7 in the D2Football.com poll this week and are #12 in the AFCA poll.  Northwest Missouri is the #1 team in both the AFCA and D2Football.com polls. The Hornets have been ranked in the AFCA Poll during the regular season in each of the last five years. Emporia State is 6-7 against teams ranked in the AFCA Top 25 over the last four years, with a 6-2 record against teams other than Northwest Missouri.
 
HEAD?COACH?GARIN?HIGGINS
Former Hornet Garin Higgins is the 21st head football coach at Emporia State and is the first to lead the Hornets to ten wins in two different seasons. He completed his ninth season by taking his alma mater deeper into the NCAA Division II playoffs than ever before last season. He  ranks third in wins behind Emporia State legends Fran Welch and Larry Kramer. 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 110-60 as a head coach with a 59-51 record at his alma mater. He is 43-17 over the last 60 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 have gone 40-15 in the last five years after going 19-36 in his first five seasons.  The 19 wins in 2012-13 were the most in back to back seasons 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 last year while Austin Willis played in exhibition action for the 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.
 
DID YOU CATCH IT
The Emporia State football game at Northwest Missouri on Saturday, November 7, 2015 was selected for the DII Football Showcase on the American Sports Network, giving the Hornets three televised games last season. For the sixth year in a row, the Hornets had a home game featured on the MIAA Television Network in their 45-34 win over Central Missouri in the home opener last year. It was the first of two scheduled appearances on television for Emporia State as they later defeated Lindenwood 20-13 on October 3 on MIAA TV as well. The Hornets are third behind Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri for the most appearances on live television over the last five 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 Hornets have played 21 games on live television since 1997 with nine of the games coming from Welch Stadium.
 
LISTEN & WATCH LIVE
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 and Ron Thomas providing the call. KFFX is in their 29th straight year as the radio home of Hornet Athletics, the longest active streak between a commercial station and an MIAA school.
 
OUTSIDE?THE?CONFERENCE
The Hornets have gone 12-2 in non-conference games under Garin Higgins and are 23-7 outside the MIAA in the 21st century. Since joining the MIAA, ESU is 32-12 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 seven national championships and had a representative in 14 of 25 national championship games.  The MIAA has been represented in nine of the last 12 national championship games.  In that time the MIAA is 38-14 in the NCAA Playoffs and 11-6 in bowl games for a combined post season record of 49-20 against non-conference opponents. Emporia State became the sixth MIAA team to win an NCAA Playoff game. The Hornets join Northwest Missouri (2015, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996) Pittsburg State (2011, 2005, 2004, 2001, 1995, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989), Missouri Western (2012), and Central Missouri (2010) as MIAA teams that have reached the quarterfinals.  Last year was the first all MIAA regional final since 2011 and the fifth of all-time. 
All MIAA NCAA Divison II Quarterfinals
2015 at Northwest Missouri 38, Emporia State 17
2011 at Pittsburg State 41, Northwest Missouri 16
2010 at Northwest Missouri 37, Central Missouri 20
2005 Northwest Missouri 21, at Pittsburg State 10
2004 at Pittsburg State 50, Northwest Missouri 36
 
CAPTAINS
This year's team captains are senior linebacker Kole Schankie and senior defensive lineman Eddie Vinson on defense, senior wide receiver Mitchell Foote and sophomore running back Landon Nault on offense and sophomore linebacker Ty McKenzie on special teams.
 
A Hornet win would...
•make Emporia State 7-1 overall, 7-1 in the MIAA;
•make Emporia State 34-59-21 all-time against Pittsburg State;
•be the Hornets second straight win against the Gorillas;
•be the Hornets first win in Pittsburg since Oct. 18, 2003;
•give Emporia State four seven win seasons in the last five years;
•tie coach Higgins with Fran Welch for the second most seven win seasons in ESU history;
•make Coach Higgins 60-51 at Emporia State and 111-60 overall.
 
A Hornet loss would...
•make Emporia State 6-2 overall, 6-2 in the MIAA;
•make Emporia State 33-60-2 all-time against Pittsburg State;
•be Emporia State's sixth straight loss in Pittsburg;
•make Coach Higgins 59-52 at Emporia State?and 110-61 overall.
 
WORKING?OVERTIME
• The Hornets are 5-8 in overtime games with wins in five of their last seven after dropping their first four extra period contests.
• Emporia State is 3-1 in overtime games under Garin Higgins with wins in the last three games.
• The quadruple overtime game in 2006 between Emporia State and Pittsburg State?was the first MIAA?regular season game to go to four overtimes and the first involving an MIAA?team since Northwest Missouri's 4 OT?win against Carson Newman in the 1999 National Championship Game.
• The 18 point deficit (28-10) in the second quarter at Minnesota State is the largest deficit Emporia State has overcome to win a game as an NCAA school.
• Emporia State's 17 point deficit at the half against Missouri Southern in 2011 was the largest half-time spread the Hornets have overcome for a win since joining the MIAA.
• Emporia State came from 17-0 down at the end of the first quarter to defeat Ft. Hays State 24-17 to open the 1992 season.