EMPORIA STATE FOOTBALL TAKES ON MO. SOUTHERN ON FAMILY & FRIENDS DAY

Game #3
Emporia State Hornets (1-1, 1-1 MIAA)
vs. Missouri Southern Lions (0-2, 0-2 MIAA)
 Saturday, Sept. 17 • 2:00 p.m. • Jones Field at Welch Stadium (7,000) • Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: MSSU leads 22-19 Current Streak: ESU 4 wins
Last Meeting: ESU 38, at MSSU 20 (Sept. 3, 2015)
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 1:00 p.m. TV: None
Internet (Audio): www.kvoe.com Internet (Video): portal.stretchinternet.com/esu
Officials: Announced on Game Day
Game Notes in pdf
Up Next: at #14 Central Missouri • Saturday, Sept. 24 • 1:00 p.m.
Kennedy Field/Walton Stadium (12,000) • Warrensburg, Mo.
 
FRIENDS, FAMILY & TRADITIONS 
Emporia State returns to Jones Field at Welch Stadium for Family & Friends Day contest against Missouri Southern in the first Saturday afternoon game of the year.
 
LAST TIME OUT 
After being held to just 53 offensive plays the previous week, Emporia State broke the century mark on plays with 100 in a 34-7 win at Neb.-Kearney on Thursday night.
The Hornet defense set the tone early holding the Lopers to just 41 yards and three first downs in the first half.  The Loper gained two yards on six plays in their opening possession, getting a first down on a roughing the punter call to prolong the drive. The next drive resulted in an interception by Eddie Vinson on the first play while the third drive was a three and out that gained no yards. The Hornets were trying for their first shutout since 2012 but the Lopers would go 46 yards in six plays to get on the board with 8:28 left in the game.
Braxton Marstall went 24 of 42 for 272 yards with two touchdowns and an interception that bounced of the receivers helmet. He added 73 yards on ten carries for 345 yards of total offense.  Mitchell Foote had a team high eight receptions for 89 yards while Justin Brown had seven catches for 89 yards and a touchdown.  Antonio Brown had 58 yards rushing an a touchdown on just seven carries.Tre Dickerson was credited with a team high seven tackles and a passbreak up.  Marcus Houghton, Kole Schankie, and Josh Monteagudo all had five stops and either a take away or forced fumble.   
 
THE?COACHES
Garin Higgins has compiled a career record of 105-60 in his 15th season as a head coach. He is 54-51 in his tenth season at his alma mater and is 45-27 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 4-3 against Mo. Southern.
Denver Johnson is 1-12 in his second year at Mo. Southern and 70-78 overall in 13 years as a head coach. He is 0-1 against Emporia State.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 1-1 on the season with a won over Neb.-Kearney and a loss to #1 Northwest Missouri. The Hornets have scored on their opening drive and forced their opponent to punt on their first drive in both games this season. They are averaging 24.0 points per game and giving up 24.0 points per game. Braxton Marstall is averaging 216.5 yards of total offense per game with three touchdown passes. Kole Schankie is the leading tackler at 7.0 stops per game. The Hornets are +3 in turnover margin after two games.
 
SCOUTING?THE LIONS
Missouri Southern is 0-2 on the season with losses to Ft. Hays State and Missouri Western. They are averaging 12.0 points per game and giving up 36.5 points per game. TJ Fleeton is averaging 203.5 yards of total offense per game. Justin Legier is the leading tackler at 7.5 tackles per game.
 
THE SERIES
This will be the 42nd meeting in the series that dates back to 1970. The Hornets lead the series 13-10 in MIAA play with the Lions leading the overall series 22-19. Emporia State has won four straight against Missouri Southern.
 
LAST TIME OUT AGAINST MSSU
Brent Wilson threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns while Mitchell Foote had a school record 88 yard punt return for a touchdown in the Hornets 38-20 win at Missouri Southern to open last season. Justin Brown was the leading receiver with five catches for 61 yards as eight different Hornets caught at least one pass for at least 12 yards. Antonio Brown had 17 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Jason Tetuan was the credited as the leading tackler with 12 stops. Emporia State ended with 486 yards of total offense on 81 plays.
 
UP NEXT
Emporia State travels to Warrensburg, Mo. next weekend to take on their second ranked opponent in the first four weeks of the season. Kick-off against #14 Central Missouri is set for 1:00 p.m. from Vernon Kennedy Field at Walton Stadium.

YOU HAVE TO SCORE TO WIN
The Hornets are 42-8 under coach Higgins when scoring 28 or more points with a 37-3 record in their last 40 games in which they have scored at least 28 points.  Emporia State has averaged 41.24 points per game in their 29 wins and 18.93 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.) 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. It was the first time since his junior year in high school that he had started and completed two straight games. 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 completed one pass for 29 yards against Northwest Missouri off the bench as a freshman.  
He only played two games as a senior at Emporia HS due to a collarbone injury.
 
DOUBLE DIP
Quarterback Jaylen Lowe (Jr./Owasso, Okla.) 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 the same game since Ray Ray Davis against Texas A&M-Kingsville in the 2012 Kanza Bowl. He was four of five for 35 yards and added 19 yards on seven carries with a touchdown against Northwest Missouri. It was the first time he had played a competitive football game since 2012 as a senior at Owasso HS.
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 is expected to play both sports for the Hornets.
He was a first-team Tulsa World All-Metro selection in both football and basketball as a senior for Owasso HS. He was the first player since 2006-07 to earn the honor in both sports by the Tulsa World.
 
MR. WALLACE
Quarterback T'Quan Wallace (Fr.-RS/Oklahoma City, Okla.) was impressive during the Hornets spring game. He was a three year starter at quarterback for Casady Prep in Oklahoma City. 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.  He also scored five times on the ground in those six games.
 
BIG FOOTE
Mitchell Foote (Sr./Enid, Okla.) had eight catches for 89 yards at Neb.-Kearney. He had two catches for 30 yards against Northwest Missouri. He has gone six games without a touchdown reception, dating back to the Washburn game last year.
He was a first-team All-MIAA and CCA/CoSIDA All-Super Region3 pick at receiver. He led the MIAA with 12 touchdown receptions last season and finished the year with 79 catches for 877 yards, despite sitting out the Neb.-Kearney game with an injury.  He was ranked second in the MIAA in receptions per game and seventh in yards per game. He was 17th in the nation in receiving touchdowns and was second in the nation with two punt returns for touchdown. A total of 60 of his 79 catches on the season went for either a first down or a touchdown, with 30 of his 34 catches on third or fourth down resulting in a first down or touchdown.
He had four receptions for 40 yards in the regional title game at Northwest Missouri. He sat out the Neb.-Kearney game with a foot injury last year and came back with eight receptions for 116 yards at Minnesota State. He had a team high 67 yards on four catches at Northwest Missouri. He had six receptions for 54 yards and two touchdowns against Washburn, including an acrobatic one handed grab in the corner of the end zone. 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 TD that gave the Hornets a fourth quarter lead. 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 a school record 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 a then career best 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 two catches for 43 yards against Northwest Missouri in 2013. 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 150 receptions for 1,697 yards and 18 touchdowns in 35 career games.
 
THE TIME
Receiver Morris Williams II (Jr./Nashville, Tenn.) had four catches for 32 yards at Neb.-Kearney. He was held without a catch against Northwest Missouri after combining for 13 catches for 239 yards in two games against the Bearcats last season. It was just the second time in his Emporia State career he has not caught a pass.
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 this 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 Shjuan Richardson had an 81 yard catch against Truman in 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 transferred to Emporia State from Kilgore College. He had 30 receptions for 509 yards and five touchdowns for the Rangers as a freshman in 2013. His 17.0 yards per catch ranked 19th in the NJCAA in 2013. He had six catches for 152 yards and two scores against Southeast Prep Academy and eight catches for 149 yards and a TD against Cisco.
 
JUST IN CASE
Receiver Justin Brown (So./El Reno, Okla.) caught seven passes for 89 yards and a touchdown at Neb.-Kearney. He had four catches for 16 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive against Northwest Missouri.
He was still 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 on a 12 yard reception down to the Bronchos two yard line on third down. 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 last year he had four of his 14 catches 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 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. 
 
LEANER
Receiver Anthony Buffalomeat (Sr./Lawrence, Kan.) 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.
 
THE DAILEY SHOW
Receiver Louis Dailey (Jr./Grand Prairie, Texas) joined a select group of Hornets who have caught a touchdown pass on their first career reception when he hauled ni a 49 yarder at Neb.-Kearney.  He had 36 receptions for 502 yards with six touchdowns in 2014 for Kilgore CC.
 
SIMPLE AS A-B-C 1-2-3
Receiver Jordan Jackson (So./Bonner Springs, Kan.) 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.

OVER THE MIDDLE
Receiver Jordan Reed (So./Edmond, Okla.) had a 56 yard touchdown against Pittsburg State and ended with two catches for 64 yards and one five yard rush against the Gorillas. 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.
 
BROWN AND SERVE
Running back Antonio Brown (Sr./St. Louis, Mo.) 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 last year 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 1,953 yards and 21 touchdowns with 61 catches for 377 yards and a score in 38 career games.
 
STRONG ENOUGH
Running back Denzel Strong (So./Independence, Mo.) 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 a 74 yard run by Seville Ko against Ft. Hays State on August 27, 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 at Hutchinson CC. He had over 1300 yards at Van Horn HS.
 
LONG HILL
Running back Landon Nault (So./Kingfisher, Okla.) 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 the game 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.
 
TRIUMPHANT
Running back Kai Callins (So./Guthrie, Okla.) had 15 yards on seven carries before getting injured at Neb.-Kearney. He had one reception for ten yards against Northwest Missouri.
He had 346 rushing yards, had three touchdowns, averaged 4.4 yards per carry and had a pair of 100 yard games as a true freshman in 2014. He had ten carries for 29 yards against Northwest Missouri as a freshman. He had 58 yard on ten rushes at Washburn. He gained 40 yards on 12 carries at Missouri Western. He had 101 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown against Ft. Hays State. He led Emporia State with 107 yards on 11 carries including a 57 yard touchdown run against Missouri Southern. 
He was the MVP of the Oklahoma Class 5A state championship game after rushing for 245 yards and four touchdowns. He was named VYPE Magazine Mr. Football in Oklahoma his senior year.
 
REESE'S PIECES
S-back Reese Richards (Sr./Azle, Texas) 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 last year. 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.) did not play in the playoffs at Northwest Missouri last year with a knee injury. He had one reception for two yards at Henderson State. 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. He was the 14th rated player overall in the state of Oklahoma.
 
NICK OF TIME
Tight end Nick Oliver (So./Overland Park, Kan.) had a career long 18 yard reception at Henderson State last year. 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.
 
OFF THE ICE
Guard Jarrett Stastny (Sr./Sanger, Texas) 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.
 
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. 
 
HOOSIER DADDY
Tackle DeAndre Herron (Sr./Avon, Ind) is a graduate transfer from the University of Indiana. He played in the Hornets 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.
 
THE WEIRDNESS
Guard Thomas O'Grady (Jr./Topeka, Kan.) 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.
 
GREAT DANE
Tackle Dane Riley (Jr./Azle, Texas) was named the Swuarehead 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.
 
IN THE CENTER OF IT ALL
Center Joe Pomatto (Jr./Paola, Kan) 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.
 
SPIDERMAN
Tackle Estevan Arana (Fr.-RS/Enid, Okla.) 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.
 
BOYS IN THE HALL
Guard Dylan Hall (Jr./Topeka, Kan.) is questionable with a back injury. 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.

ON THE DEFENSE
Emporia State held Neb.-Kearney to 41 yards of total offense in the first half and just 251 yards for the game. The Hornets forced the Lopers into nine drives that were three and outs or ended with a turnover in less than three plays. Three of Northwest Missouri's seven scoring drives covered less than 50 yards and the Hornets twice forced field goals, including once when NWMSU had first and goal form the three.
Four of the Hornets opponents eight scoring drives on the season have covered less than 50 yards.
 
VICTORY OF THE PEOPLE
Linebacker Kole Schankie (Sr./Madison, Kan.) 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 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 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 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 212 total tackles, 133 of them solo, in 37 career games and has averaged 6.8 tackles in four career playoff games.
 
REMINGTON STEELE
Linebacker Remington Whitley (Jr./Olathe, Kan.) got his first career start at middle linebacker adn 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 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.
 
CLEVELAND ROCKS
Linebacker Gabe Cleveland (Jr./Eudora, Kan.) did not play at Neb.-Kearney with a hamstring injury. He had five tackles and the Hornets lone sack against Northwest Missouri.
He had three tackles at Henderson State. 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.
He is in his fourth 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.
 
LOGAN'S RUN
Linebacker Logan Thompson (Jr.-TR/Sedgwick, Kan.) had a solo tackle at Neb.-Kearney. He is in his first year with the Hornets. 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 selected to play in the 2013 Kansas Shrine Bowl.
 
A GOOD MAN
Linebacker Brandon Goodman (Sr./Paola, Kan.) 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. Last season 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.
 
THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT
Linebacker Curtis Shorts (Sr./Ft. Worth, Texas) recorded two tackles at Neb.-Kearney.
He had eight tackles in nine games last season. He had three tackles and a quarterback hurry at Henderson State.  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.
 
STARE DOWN
Linebacker Jarron Ogles (Sr./Topeka, Kan.) had three solo stops at Neb.-Kearney. He recorded two tackles against Northwest Missuri.
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.
 
CLEANHEAD
Defensive lineman Eddie Vinson (Sr./Omaha, Neb.) 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 107 total tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks in 27 career games.
 
LETHAL WEAPON
Defensive linemen DeAndre Glover (Sr./Hempstead, Texas) 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.) 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 tackles as a senior.
 
WALKER, TEXAS RANGER
Defensive lineman Donovan Walker (Jr./Cottleville, Mo.) 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.
 
BASSMASTER
Defensive lineman Parker Bass (So./Emporia, Kan) had a solo and an assisted tackle at Neb.-Kearney. 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. He had 20 tackles for loss and seven sacks for the Spartans as a senior in 2014.
 
THE HERD
Defensive lineman Colin Frickey (Jr./Clearwater, Kan) 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, first team in 2013, and a two-time selection at defensive end, with a first team nod in 2013.
 
A TON OF ABS
Defensive lineman Larenz Abston (Sr./Des Moines, Iowa) missed the first two 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 had two solo tackles against Neb.-Kearney. 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.) recorded two solo stops at Neb.-Kearney. He had six tackles against Northwest Missouri with five of them unassisted.
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 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 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) 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) 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 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 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. It was the first three interception game by a Hornet since Derek Lohman had three against Southwest Baptist in 2011.  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 six tackles and two pass break-ups at Lindenwood. 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.
 
TOP DESIGN
Safety Marcus Houghton (So./McPherson, Kan) 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.
 
WHAT'S COOKING
Safety Drew Cook (So./Oklahoma City, Okla.) had five solo tackles against Northwest Missouri in the season opener.
He was credited with two tackles against Washburn. He recorded three tackles against Northeastern State.
He 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.
 
SAFETY IN NUMBERS
Safety Gary Woods II (Fr.-RS/Oklahoma City, Okla.) 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.
 
SALTY
Kicker Austin Morton (Jr./Rockwall, Texas) 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 is the first time Emporia State has 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 34 makes. 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 34 of 41 in his career on field goals at Emporia State and has made 97 of 103 PAT attempts. He is ninth 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.) 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 averaged 56 yards on three kickoffs against the Bearcats.
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 have gone 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. His lone touchback against the Bronchos was muffed inside the five yard line before UCO recovered it in the end zone.  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.  He also hit a PAT against the Lions.
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 (knee), defensive back Jarrett Strode (knee) and running back Kai Callins are out for the season. Defensive lineman Larenz Abston (abdominal) and defensive lineman Ugonna Nwaire (hand) are doubtful this week while offensive lineman Dylan Hall (back) is questionable.
 
THE POLLS SAY
The MIAA has two teams ranked in the top 25 in the AFCA national poll and three in the D2Football.com polls, with two other teams receiving votes in the AFCA coaches poll. The Hornets are ranked #20 in the D2Football.com poll this week and are receiving votes in the AFCA poll.  Northwest Missouri is the #1 team in both the AFCA and D2Football.com polls. Emporia State was 3-2 against teams in the AFCA Top 25 and 4-2 against teams ranked in the D2Football.com poll last year.
 
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.
 
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 105-60 as a head coach with a 54-51 record at his alma mater. He is 44-27 in the last five seasons and 38-17 over the last 55 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 33-14 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.
 
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 linebacker Kole Schankie, defensive lineman Eddie Vinson, wide receiver Mitchell Foote, running back Landon Nault and linebacker Ty McKenzie.
 
A Hornet win would...
•make Emporia State 2-1 overall, 2-1 in the MIAA;
•make Emporia State 20-22 all-time against Missouri Southern;
•be the Hornets fifth straight win against the Lions;
•make Coach Higgins 55-51 at Emporia State and 106-60 overall.
 
A Hornet loss would...
•make Emporia State 1-2 overall, 1-2 in the MIAA;
•make Emporia State 19-23 all-time against Missouri Southern;
•snap a four game Hornet winning streak against the Lions;
•make Coach Higgins 54-52 at Emporia State?and 105-61 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.
• 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.