October 28, 2017-Playing without starting quarterback Braxton Marstall, Emporia State was held to 223 yards of offense in a 34-7 loss to #7 Ft. Hays State on Saturday at Lewis Field Stadium.
The Hornets started red-shirt freshman Pat Briningstool at quarterback and the Tigers forced a three and out on the first series. After a 59 yard punt by Justin Marcha, Ft. Hays State took over on their own 12 yard line. Ten plays later Jacob Mezera connected with J.J. Lewis for an eight yard touchdown pass and 7-0 Tiger lead.
That was the only score of the first quarter as Emporia State forced a punt and got an interception from Cody Savage on the next two series. Emporia State punted on their next possession and changed to T'Quan Wallace at quarterback for the third series and the first period ended with FHSU leading 7-0.
The Hornets were able to withstand a muffed punt on the first series of the second quarter and forced another punt. Another three and out from the Hornets the Tigers were able to get a 41 yard field goal from Brandon Brown to go up 10-0 with 8:37 left in the half. After trading punts the Tigers took over at their own eight with 3:54 left in the half. The went 76 yards in 12 plays before the Hornet defense forced another 32 yard field goal from Brown to make it 13-0 FHSU at the break.
The Tigers got the ball to start the second half and took just three plays to go up 20-0 on a 68 yard pass from Mezera to Tyler Bacon with 13:41 left in the quarter. On the ensuing drive Wallace was sacked on third and four from the FHSU 46 but Marcha was able to pin the Tigers at their own seven yard line. FHSU then went on a four play, 93 yard drive - with no play going for less than 13 yards - and took a 27-0 lead with 10:33 left on Mezera's 25 yard pass to Kenneth Iheme.
The Hornets had a chance to get on the board at the end of the third quarter as they drove down to the Tiger one yard line. Jordan Reed almost broke the plane of the goal line on a third and goal pass from Wallace and Nault was stopped for no gain on fourth down to give the ball back to FHSU with 2:26 left in the quarter on their own one yard line. Iheme broke through for a 54 yard run on the very next play to get the Tigers out of danger. The Hornets held on first and second and goal before Charles Tigner scored on a two yard run with 11:47 left in the game to cap an 11 play, 99 yard drive that took 5:49 off the clock.
Emporia State finally got on the board when Kai Callins scored on a one yard run with 5:24 left for the final score of 34-7.
Wallace went 15 of 28 for 118 yards and an interception. Justin Brown had his string of three straight 100 yard receving games snapped as he had a team high five receptions for 66 yards. Tre'Vaun Ammons had nine tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks to lead the Hornet defense while Gabe Cleveland had a team high 11 tackles.
The Hornets return to Jones Field at Welch Stadium to close out the regular season with two home games. Emporia State plays host to Missouri Western on November 4 in the Hornets Homecoming game. Kick-off is set for 2:00 p.m.
