March 27, 2017-Fresh off back to back appearances in the NCAA Division II Playoffs and Top Ten national finishes, the Emporia State football team has officially announced their 2017 schedule.  The Hornets will play host to six games this fall on Jones Field at Welch Stadium, where they have won 11 of their last 12 games over the past two years.

For the second straight year Emporia State will open up with the defending national champions as they travel to Maryville, Mo. to take on Northwest Missouri on Thursday, August 31.  It will be the fourth time in their last 18 games that the Hornets have faced the Bearcats.

The home opener will a week later on September 7 against Neb.-Kearney in Welch Stadium. The Hornets have won eight of their last ten meetings with the Lopers and have outscored them 86-41 over the last two years.  

Emporia State will travel to Joplin, Mo. on September 16 for their first Saturday game. Kick-off against Missouri Southern is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in Hughes Stadium. The Hornets have won five straight against the Lions.

The 14th annual Football Traditions event will be held in conjunction with Emporia State's first Saturday home game against Central Missouri on Sept. 23.  The Hornets pulled out a thrilling 37-31 double overtime win last year in Warrensburg, Mo. and have won two straight against the Mules following their 45-34 victory spread over three days in 2015.

It's back on the road on Sept. 30 when Emporia State takes on Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla. The Hornets have won five of the last six meetings with the Bronchos, including a 35-21 victory in Welch Stadium last year.

The Hornets return to Welch Stadium in week six on October 7 against Northeastern State.  The Hornets have won all five meetings with the RiverHawks as members of the MIAA, including a 55-14 win the last time the two met in Welch Stadium in 2015.

Emporia State will take their longest road trip of the year on October 14 as they head to St. Charles, Mo. to take on Lindenwood.  The Hornets won 35-28 last year when Braxton Marstall scored on a 15 yard run with 15 seconds left in the game.

One of the most played rivalries in NCAA Division II history comes to Welch Stadium on October 21 when Emporia State plays host to Pittsburg State.  The two teams have met 96 times with Emporia State winning three of the last five meetings, including the last two in Welch Stadium.

The final road trip of the regular season will be on October 28 when Emporia State travels to Hays, Kan. for an Octoberfest game with Ft. Hays State.  The Hornets picked up a 24-16 win last year to snap a two game losing streak to the Tigers.

A November 4 Homecoming contest with Missouri Western will start the final two game home stand at Welch Stadium for Emporia State.  The Hornets have won four straight over the Griffons, including last season's 27-14 win in St. Joseph, Mo.

The most played active rivalry in Division II will wrap up the regular season when Emporia State plays host to Washburn in the 114th Turnpike Tussle. The Hornets lead the all-time series 55-52-6 and have won four of the last five between the two.

Emporia State went 5-1 on Jones Field at Welch Stadium last season on the way to an 11-2 overall mark, with both losses coming to the eventual national champion. The Hornets advanced to the second round of the NCAA Playoffs and won a playoff game for the second straight year.  Emporia State has made the playoffs in three of the last four yeas and is set to return 13 starters, seven on offense and six on defense, along with all of their specialists next year.

Emporia State started spring practices on Monday, March 27 at Jones Field at Welch Stadium and are scheduled to have 14 practices capped by Legends Weekend on April 21-22.  The weekend will include a Legends Flag Football game in addition to the Hornets spring game at Welch Stadium.

2017 Emporia State Football Schedule
Thur.    Aug. 31    at Northwest Missouri    Maryville, Mo.    7:00 p.m.
Thur.    Sept. 7      Neb.-Kearney    Emporia    7:00 p.m.
Sat.    Sept. 16     at Missouri Southern    Joplin, Mo.    6:00 p.m.
Sat.    Sept. 23     Central Missouri    Emporia    2:00 p.m.
Sat.    Sept. 30     at Central Oklahoma    Edmond, Okla.     TBA
Sat.    Oct. 7      Northeastern State    Emporia    2:00 p.m.
Sat.    Oct. 14       at Lindenwood    St. Charles, Mo.    TBA
Sat.    Oct. 21      Pittsburg State    Emporia     2:00 p.m.
Sat.    Oct. 28       at Ft. Hays State    Hays, Kan.     2:00 p.m.
Sat.    Nov. 4     Missouri Western    Emporia     2:00 p.m.
Sat.    Nov. 11    Washburn    Emporia     2:00 p.m.

2017 Emporia State Spring Practice Schedule
Monday, March 27    4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 29    4:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 2        3:15 p.m.
Monday, April 3        3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, April 5    4:00 p.m.
Friday, April 7        7:15 p.m. (Friday Night Lights)
Sunday, April 9        3:15 p.m.
Monday April 10        4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 12    4:00 p.m.
Friday, April 14        3:00 p.m.
Monday, April 17    4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 19    4:00 p.m.
Legends Weekend
Friday, April 21        TBA 
Saturday, April 22    10:30 a.m. (Legends Game)
            2:00 p.m. (Spring Game)