Game #1
#4 Emporia State Hornets (0-0, 0-0 MIAA)
at #1 Northwest Missouri Bearcats (0-0, 0-0 MIAA)
Thursday, Aug. 31 • 7:00 p.m. • Tjeersdma Field/Bearcat Stadium (6500) • Maryville, Mo.
Series Record: NWMSU leads 31-2 Current Streak: NWMSU 24 wins
Last Meeting: at #1 NWMSU 44, #9 ESU 13 (Nov. 26, 2016-NCAA Playoffs)
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 6:00 p.m. TV: None
Internet (Audio):
www.kvoe.com Internet (Video):
themiaanetwork.com
Live Stats Complete Notes in pdf
Officials: Announced on Game Day
Up Next: vs. Neb.-Kearney • Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Jones Field at Welch Stadium • Emporia, Kan.
HERE WE GO AGAIN
Emporia State begins it's 120th season of college football with one of the most anticipated matchups in the nation. The #4 Hornets take on the defending national champions and top ranked Northwest Missouri in a rematch of last year's NCAA Division II Super Region-3 Semifinal. It is the second straight season the two have met in the season opener and fifth time since November of 2015 that the two schools have played each other.
SEASON OPENERS
Emporia State is 67-47-5 all-time in season openers and have started the season 1-0 in 14 of the last 16 years. Coach Garin Higgins is 8-2 in season openers with the Hornets and 13-2 in his career in season openers. Emporia State has gone 18-8 in MIAA openers since joining the conference in 1991.
MIAA DIGITAL NETWORK
The MIAA has partnered with BlueFrame Technology to stream all conference football games. The MIAA Network broadcasts can be viewed on desktop, mobile devices, and internet-connected television devices anywhere in the world. Fans can find all of the action on www.themiaanetwork.com and on The MIAA Network apps for Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku.
THE COACHES
Garin Higgins has a career record of 115-61 in his 16th season as a head coach. He is 64-52 in his 11th season at his alma mater and is 54-28 since the start of the 2010 season. He led the Hornets to the NCAA Playoffs in three of the last four years with a national semifinal appearance 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 0-12 against NWMSU.
Rich Wright is in his first season as head coach at Northwest Missouri. He had been an assistant at NWMSU since 2004 and the defensive coordinator since 2011. He is 0-0 against Emporia State.
SCOUTING THE HORNETS
The Hornets are set to return 13 starters, seven on offense and six on defense, along with all of their specialists. Preseason All-American quarterback Braxton Marstall threw for 3,599 yards and 31 touchdowns while adding 515 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground last season. Justin Brown caught 73 passes for 738 yards and eight touchdowns. Landon Nault led the Hornets in rushing with 651 yards and four touchdowns. Four players that have started in the playoffs are set to return on the offensive line. Linebacker Gabe Cleveland had 66 tackles while defensive end TreVaun Ammons was fourth in the MIAA last year with seven total sacks. Corner AJ West had 44 tackles with an interception, and three pass break ups. Kicker Austin Morton was second in the MIAA in kick scoring, going 55 of 57 on PATs and hitting 14 field goals.
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Northwest Missouri won their second straight and sixth overall national championship last season. They are set to return 14 starters from last season with seven each on offense and defense.
THE SERIES
This is the 34th meeting in the series and the second straight year the two have met to open the season. The Bearcats lead the series 31-2 and have won 24 straight. The last Emporia State win was 41-26 in Maryville in 1994.
LAST TIME OUT AGAINST NWMSU
The #9 Emporia State football team got 327 passing yards out of Braxton Marstall, but it was not enough in a 44-13 loss to #1 Northwest Missouri in the second round of the NCAA Playoffs. Marstall went 28 of 45 for 327 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Justin Brown and Mitchell Foote both had eight catches with Brown getting 93 yards and a touchdown while Foote finished with 84 yards. Louis Dailey also caught three passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. Defensively Gabe Cleveland had a game high 13 tackles and half a sack. TreVaun Ammons had five tackles and three passes knocked down at the line of scrimmage.
UP NEXT
The Hornets will take on Neb.-Kearney in the home opener on Jones Field at Welch Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 7. Kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
FAMILIAR FOES
This will be the fifth meeting between Emporia State and Northwest Missouri on the gridiron since November of 2015. In that same time the Hornets and Bearcats have meet five times on the baseball and softball diamonds, and just twice in men's and women's basketball,
PLAYOFF HISTORY
The Hornets are 3-4 in their seven NCAA playoff games over four trips to the Division II playoffs and have won three of their last five playoff games. Emporia State and Northwest Missouri are the only MIAA teams to have won playoff games in back to back years since Pittsburg State did it in 2004 and 2005.
LAST YEAR'S POLLS
The MIAA had three teams ranked in the top 25 in the final AFCA and D2Football.com national polls. The Hornets were ranked #9 in the D2Football.com poll and are #10 in the AFCA poll. Northwest Missouri was the #1 team in both polls while Central Missouri was #16 in the D2Football.com poll and #21 in the AFCA poll. The Hornets have been ranked in the AFCA Poll during the regular season in each of the last five years. Emporia State is 7-8 against teams ranked in the AFCA Top 25 over the last four years, with a 7-2 record against teams other than Northwest Missouri.
PRESEASON POLLS
The Hornets have achieved their highest preseason rankings in school history from several sources. Both the MIAA Coaches and Media Preseason Poll have the Hornets slated #2 behind Northwest Missouri. Emporia State is ranked #4 in the preseason by the AFCA, Street & Smith's and Lindy's. They are #3 in the Massey Computer Ratings and are ranked #17 by HeroSports computer rankings.
BEST IN THE STATE
Emporia State and Northwest Missouri were each named the Best College Football Team over the last five years in their respective states by HeroSports. This match up joins Alabama vs. Florida State and BYU vs. LSU in Division I and Franklin (Ind.) vs. Thomas More (Ky.) in Division III as the only games between the best teams in a state on the opening weekend of college football.
FIRST FIVE YEARS VS. LAST FIVE YEARS
Emporia State was 19-36 in head coach Garin Higgins first five seasons. The Hornets were sitting at 1-4 and trailing Missouri Southern 17-0 at the midway point of the 2011 season. Emporia State came back to win 31-24 and have gone 49-18 since then. Of the 18 losses, 11 have been to teams ranked in the AFCA Top 25 at the time with eight of the losses to Northwest Missouri.
In Emporia State's first 50 games under Coach Higgins, the Hornets averaged 19.46 points per game while giving up 29.46 points per game. In the 67 games since then Emporia State is averaging 34.81 points while giving up just 23.70 points per game.
OUTSIDE THE CONFERENCE
The Hornets have gone 13-2 in non-conference games under Garin Higgins and are 24-7 outside the MIAA in the 21st century. Since joining the MIAA, ESU is 33-12 in non-conference games and has lost only three games to unranked non-conference D-II opponents since 1996.
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 eight national championships and had a representative in 15 of 26 national championship games. The MIAA has been represented in ten of the last 13 national championship games. In that time the MIAA is 42-15 in the NCAA Playoffs and 12-7 in bowl games for a combined post season record of 54-22 against non-conference opponents. Emporia State is the sixth MIAA team to win multiple NCAA Playoff games. The Hornets join Northwest Missouri (1996-99, 2002, 2004-11, 2013, 2015-16), Pittsburg State (1989-92, 1995, 2001, 2004-05, 2011), Missouri Western (2012), and Central Missouri (2010) as MIAA teams that have reached the quarterfinals. Emporia State's game at Northwest Missouri was the first all MIAA regional final since 2011 and the fifth of all-time. Six different MIAA schools have advanced to the NCAA Playoffs and won a game since 2010 while seven current member institutions have represented the league in the NCAA Playoffs. Counting their time in other conferences ten of the current 12 MIAA football playing schools have been NCAA Division II Playoff participants.
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
YOU HAVE TO SCORE TO WIN
The Hornets are 50-8 under coach Higgins when scoring 28 or more points with a 45-3 record in their last 48 games in which they have scored at least 28 points. Emporia State has won 16 games when allowing their opponents 28 or more points under coach Higgins, but the Hornets have only won 14 games when they have scored less than 28 points. The Hornets have averaged 40.5 points per game in their 35 wins and 18.5 points in their 15 losses since Emporia State last posted a shutout - a 13-0 win over Lindenwood in 2012.
RIDING SCHOOL
Quarterback Braxton Marstall (Jr./Emporia, Kan.) was named a preseason All-American by Lindy's and Street & Smith's Magazines and was named the Preseason National Offensive Player of the Year by Street & Smith's. He is 12-3 as a starter for the Hornets in his career.
He was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection last season. He was ranked sixth in the nation in total passing yards, eighth in completions per game and completion percentage, ninth in points responsible for, 11th in total offense and 13th in passing touchdowns. He led the MIAA in completions and total offense yards, was second in passing touchdowns and completion percentage, third in total passing yards, and fourth in passing efficiency. He is the only player in the MIAA with at least 3000 passing yards and at least 500 rushing yards.
His 327 passing yards at Northwest Missouri in the NCAA Playoffs are the most passing yards allowed by the Bearcats since 2014. He had the fifth best passing day in MIAA history in the first round against Minn.-Duluth with 481 yards on 26 of 39 passing with five touchdowns. He was 16 of 28 for 180 yards with three touchdowns and added a team high 50 yards rushing at Washburn. He was named MIAA Offensive Player of the Week after passing for 359 yards on 33 of 52 passing with three touchdowns at Missouri Western. He was 16 of 26 for 202 yards with three touchdowns passing and added 49 yards on 13 rushes against Ft. Hays State. He was 28 of 37 for 321 yards with a touchdown and had 18 carries for 73 yards and two rushing touchdowns at Pittsburg State. He was the first Hornet quarterback to have back to back games with multiple rushing touchdowns since Mike Burch in 1989. 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 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 the fourth quarter comeback. He was 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 in 2015 after playing as a 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 is second in single season total offense at Emporia State with 4,120 yards, and ranks third in single season passing with 3,599 yards and single season touchdown passes for the Hornets with 31 last year. He is sixth on the Emporia State career list with 3,976 passing yards and 34 touchdown passes.
He only played two games as a senior at Emporia HS due to a collarbone injury.
PURE MICHIGAN
Quarterback Patrick Briningstool (Fr.-RS/Clinton Township, Mich.) has captured the back up position after redshirting last season. He was the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week for the Missouri Western game.
He threw for over 4,300 yards and 52 touchdowns as a prepster at Chippewa Valley HS in Clinton Township, Mich.
MR. WALLACE
Quarterback T'Quan Wallace (So./Oklahoma City, Okla.) saw his first regular season action in the fourth quarter last year at Northeastern State.
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.
JUST IN CASE
Receiver Justin Brown (Jr./El Reno, Okla.) was named second-team All-MIAA last season. He was second in the MIAA in receptions per game, sixth in touchdown receptions and ninth in total receiving yards last year.
He had eight catches for 93 yards and a touchdown at Northwest Missouri in the playoffs. He caught four passes for 70 yards against Minn.-Duluth in the first round of the playoffs. He had two catches for 35 yards with a touchdown at Washburn. He had 102 yards and two touchdowns on nine catches at Missouri Western. He had three catches for 47 yards with a long of 35 yards against Ft. Hays State. He had five catches for 40 yards at Pittsburg State. He had his second straight ten catch day with ten receptions for 75 yards against Lindenwood. 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 Nebraska-Kearney. He had four catches for 16 yards and a touchdown against Northwest Missouri.
He had four touchdowns and averaged 89.0 yards per game over the first three games of 2015. He had seven catches for 76 yards and a touchdown in Edmond before he was lost for the season when he broke his leg and was awarded a medical redshirt. 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 (Sr./Nashville, Tenn.) is in his third year at Emporia State. He is out for the Northwest Missouri game with a shoulder injury.
He had just two receptions for 28 yards at Northwest Missouri in the playoffs. He had 134 yards on four catches with two touchdowns against Minn.-Duluth in the first round. He had five catches for 50 yards with a 38 yard touchdown grab against Ft. Hays State. He had three catches for 31 yards and a touchdown and added 51 yards on four rushes with a touchdown at Pitt State. He 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 Okla. 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 Mo. Southern. He had four catches for 32 yards at Neb.-Kearney.
He was third in the MIAA in receiving touchdowns, fifth in total receiving yards and 20th in yards per catch in 2015 and averaged 118.3 receiving yards in the playoffs. He had four touchdown catches of over 50 yards last year - 68 yards at Northwest Missouri in the playoffs, 73 yards at Minnesota State, 51 yards against Neb.-Kearney and 80 yards against Northeastern State. He had a season high 191 yards on ten catches at Northwest Missouri in the regional final. He had 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 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 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.
THE DAILEY SHOW
Receiver Louis Dailey (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas) is in his second season with the Hornets.
He caught three passes for 61 yards and a touchdown against Northwest Missouri in the NCAA Playoffs. He had a career high 135 yards on six receptions with two touchdowns against Minn.-Duluth. He now has four receptions of over 45 yards on the year. He caught four passes for 42 yards at Washburn. He had three catches for 20 yards at Missouri Western. He caught two passes including a ten yard touchdown against Ft. Hays State. He had a career high seven catches for 75 yards at Pittsburg State. He 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.
SIMPLE AS A-B-C 1-2-3
Receiver Jordan Jackson (Jr./Bonner Springs, Kan.) is in his fourth year at Emporia State.
He 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 in the season opener.
Two of his five catches in 2015 went for touchdowns. He had three catches for 40 yards with a 24 yard touchdown against Neb.-Kearney. 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 (Jr./Edmond, Okla.) had an 11 yard catch against Ft. Hays State. He 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 in 2015. 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 is also a member of the Hornet track & field team and was a national qualifier as a member of the outdoor 4x100m relay.
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.
PROFITABLE
Receiver Carson Proffitt (Jr./Lewisville, Texas) had a 12 yard catch against Minn.-Duluth and pulled in a 17 yard pass at Northeastern State last year. He is averaging 15.8 yards per catch in 17 career games with the Hornets.
He was a two-time All-District pick at quarterback for Hebron HS.
DEEP IMPACT
Receiver Tyler Harris (Jr.-TR/Andover, Kan.) had 17 catches for 234 yards and a touchdown last season at Hutchinson CC. He was an all-state performer for Andover Central HS in 2014 after getting 37 receptions for 980 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior.
DRAGON HUNTER
Receiver Jaylon Raydel (Jr./Gardner, Kan.) sat out last season with an injury. He played in 11 games as a red-shirt freshman in 2015.
He was a first-team All-State selection for Gardner-Edgerton HS and was a two-time All-Eastern Kansas League pick.
ON THE SURFACE
Receiver Seth Surface (So./Perry, Kan.) is in his third year with the Hornets. He was a first-team All-Big 7 Conference performer at quarterback for Perry -Lecompton HS. He had over 2100 yards of total offense and 26 total touchdowns as a senior.
STRONG ENOUGH
S-back Denzel Strong (Jr./Independence, Mo.) moved from running back to S-Back this season.
He was 22nd in the MIAA in yards per carry among players with at least 50 rushes last season. He had 11 carries for 31 yards at Washburn. He had a 16 yard catch at Missouri Western. He had 11 carries for 39 yards against Ft. Hays State. He gained 62 yards on eight carries with a touchdown against Lindenwood. He had 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 21st in the league in total rushing with 406 yards as a freshman in 2015. 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.
He came to Emporia State after redshirting one season at Hutchinson CC. He had over 1300 yards at Van Horn HS.
ANDRE THE GIANT
S-Back Andre Lewis (Jr.-TR/Ottawa, Kan.) had seven catches for 122 yards at Hutchinson CC last season. He is near the top of most offensive and defensive statistical categories at Ottawa HS and was selected to play in the Greater KC Football Coaches Association All Star Game following his senior year.
GREAT BALLS OF FIRE
Tight end Trenton Ball (Jr./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 was rated a three star recruit by ESPN.com and listed as the #21 tight end prospect in the country at Carl Albert HS.
LONG HILL
Running back Landon Nault (Jr./Kingfisher, Okla.) was an honorable mention All-MIAA pick last season. He is seventh in the MIAA in total rushing yards. He had a game high 88 yards rushing on 16 carries with a touchdown against Minn.-Duluth, with 80 yards coming in the second half. He had 41 yards on 13 carries at Washburn. He had 18 carries for 49 yards at Missouri Western. He had 22 carries for 65 yards against Ft. Hays State. He had 82 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown at Pittsburg State. He 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 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 as a freshman. He finished with 179 yards on 28 carries and a touchdown at Henderson State. It was 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 has 1,349 career rushing yards on 337 carries with seven touchdowns in 27 career games for Emporia State.
He was the Oklahoma Offensive Player of the Year after gaining 2,199 yards and 45 touchdowns on 249 carries as a senior. He was a Wendy's High School Heisman National Finalist.
TRIUMPHANT
Running back Kai Callins (Jr./Guthrie, Okla.) has rehabbed from his second knee injury and returns for his junior season.
He had 15 yards on seven carries before getting injured at Neb.-Kearney last year. 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.
LEGACY
Running back Ricky Van Weezel (So./Burleson, Texas) saw his first action for the Hornets against Missouri Southern last season.
He red-shirted at Memphis in 2015 after gaining 1,276 yards on 156 carries with eight touchdowns as a senior for Centennial HS.
His father Rick Van Weezel was a running back/kicker for the Hornets from 1987-90.
SPIDERMAN
Tackle Estevan Arana (So./Enid, Okla.) was named honorable mention All-MIAA last year. He missed two games with an ankle injury before returning to the starting lineup against Washburn. He was named the Squarehead Award winner at Central Missouri. He saw his first action for the Hornets against Northwest Missouri after redshirting in 2015.
He was a three-year letterwinner for Enid HS and earned all-conference, all-district and all-state honors on the offensive line.
BUILDING BRICKS
Center Jake Warehime (Sr./Choctaw, Okla.) has started 27 straight games at center. He was named the Squarehead Award winner against Northwest Missouri to start last 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 in 2015.
GREAT DANE
Tackle Dane Riley (Sr./Azle, Texas) earned Squarehead Award honors against Washburn. He 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.
THE WEIRDNESS
Guard Thomas O'Grady (Sr./Topeka, Kan.) played in ten games as a junior last season. He missed three games with an ankle injury before returning to action against Lindenwood. He saw action in all 14 games as a sophomore.
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.
BOYS IN THE HALL
Guard Dylan Hall (Sr./Topeka, Kan.) missed two games with a back injury but returned to action at Central Missouri last year.
He was named the Squarehead Award winner against Washburn in 2015. He got his first career start against Missouri Western.
He was an All-Centennial League first-team pick, helping Seaman HS reach the 5A playoffs as a senior.
PLAY RIGHT AWAY
Guard Austin Unterreiner (So./O'Fallon, Mo.) moved into the offensive line rotation as a true freshman. He played much of the second half at Pittsburg State at right tackle.
He was a first-team all-conference and second-team all-district performer for Francis Howell HS.
BIG STEVE
Tackle Steve Williams (So./St. Louis, Mo.) returns to Emporia State after sitting out last season. He played in 12 games with seven starts as a true freshman for the Hornets in 2015.
He was a first-team all-conference performer on the offensive line for Clayton HS and a four-year letter winner. He also earned honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore and second-team honors as a junior.
LILLICH OF THE FIELD
Tackle Andrew Lillich (Jr./Basehor, Kan.) is in his third year with the Hornets. He transferred to Emporia State after redshirting at Butler CC. He was a first-team All-Kaw Valley League pick for Basehor-Linwood HS.
IN THE CENTER OF IT ALL
Center Joe Pomatto (Sr./Paola, Kan) saw action in eight games last year. He missed the first four games of 2015 with an injury. He returned to action against Lindenwood. He is in his fifth 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.
CRUISING ALONG
Center/guard Cole Cruz (Sr./Hutchinson, Kan.) filled in at both center and guard for the Hornets last year. He was a two-time honorable mention All-Jayhawk performer at center for KJCCC Co-Champion Dodge City CC. He was an all-league selection for Hutchinson HS.
INTO THE VALLEY
Guard Braden Janzen (Jr./Valley Center, Kan) is in his fourth year with the Hornets.
He was a first-team All-ArkValley/Chisholm Trail League performer for Valley Center HS..
ON THE DEFENSE
Since 2012, the Hornets are the only team in the country to force at least 25 turnovers each season. Emporia State was ranked third in the MIAA in scoring defense at 24.2 points per game. They were second in the MIAA in rushing defense and allowed one runner to go over 100 yards on the ground against them last year. They were third in the MIAA in pass efficiency defense and lead the league with 21 interceptions to rank ninth nationally last season. The Hornets allowed only 36 scores, 27 touchdowns and nine field goals, on 165 drives that have started on their opponents side of midfield.
CLEVELAND ROCKS
Linebacker Gabe Cleveland (Sr./Eudora, Kan.) had 66 tackles last season, including a career high 13 stops at Northwest Missouri in the playoffs. He averaged 9.0 tackles per game over the final five games of the season. He had six tackles, an interception and a pass break up against Minn.-Duluth. He was credited with 11 tackles, two for a loss, 1.5 sacks, forced and recovered a fumble against Washburn. He had a team high nine tackles and 1.5 TFL at Missouri Western. He had six solo tackles against Ft. Hays State. He had five tackles, including an assist behind the line of scrimmage against Lindenwood. 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.
He had three tackles at Henderson State in the 2015 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.
LOGAN'S RUN
Linebacker Logan Thompson (So./Sedgwick, Kan.) was credited with seven tackles with a sack and a fumble recovery that he took 15 yards before pitching it to AJ West who went the final 35 yards for a touchdown against Minn.-Duluth. He had an assisted tackle behind the line of scrimmage on fourth and one at Washburn. He had five tackles at Missouri Western. He tied his career high with seven tackles and added a pass break up and quarterback hurry against Ft. Hays State. He had a career high seven tackles and forced a fumble at Pittsburg State. He had one solo tackle against Lindenwood. He had a tackle for loss at Northeastern State. He returned to action against Central Okla. 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 of 2016.
He was named a First Team All-Kansas 4A linebacker as he helped Sedgwick HS earn back-to-back league 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.
IMMANUEL CAN
Linebacker Immanuel Cason (Jr./Junction City, Kan.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets. He played in ten games last season and was a key contributor on special teams.
He was an All-Class 6A performer for Junction City HS as a senior.
REMINGTON STEELE
Linebacker Remington Whitley (Sr./Olathe, Kan.) had three tackles against Minn.-Duluth. He was credited with four tackles at Northeastern State. He led Emporia State with nine tackles against Mo. 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 opener.
He had two tackles against Northwest Missouri in the 2015 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 and had four stops against Mo. Southern.
He was named First-Team All-Sunflower League, earned Sunflower League Football Defensive Player of the Year honors and was honorable mention all-state as a senior for Olathe South HS.
THREE SHEETS
Linebacker Orlando Sheets (Jr./Oklahoma City, Okla.) played in ten games last season for the Hornets.
He was a Class 5A Oklahoma All-Star Team linebacker for Del City HS. He had 78 tackles including six sacks and four fourced fumbles as a senior.
GET DOWN
Linebacker Jace McDown (Fr.-RS/Columbus, Kan.) is in his second season with the Hornets.
He was a Kansas Top 11 pick and Offensive Player of the Year in Class 4A-II with 2,667 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns as he led Columbus HS to the Class 4A-II semifinals and an 11-1 record. He had 121 tackles as a senior and recorded 401 tackles on defense in his career.
MEYER-BRIGGS
Linebacker Luke Meyer (Jr./Wellsville, Kan.) is in his fourth season with the Hornets.
He was a three year starter at linebacker for Wellsville HS and had 96 tackles with three forced fumbles and 7.5 tackles for loss as a senior in 2013.
BARD OF THE LAKE
Linebacker Cole Baird (Fr.-RS/Silver Lake, Kan.) is in his second season with the Hornets.
He was a first team All-Class 3A selection for Silver Lake HS. He had 65 tackles and two interceptions for the Eagles as a senior.
THE FIRST DAY
Defensive end Tre'Vaun Ammons (So./Omaha, Neb.) was fourth in the MIAA with 7.0 sacks last season.
He was credited with five tackles and three pass break ups in the playoff game at Northwest Missouri. He had six tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and blocked a punt against Minn.-Duluth. He was credited with four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a pass break up and two quarterback hurries at Missouri Western. He had a sack and forced fumble against Ft. Hays State. He had five tackles including one for a loss at Pittsburg State. 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 Okla. 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 (Sr./Cottleville, Mo.) was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection and was tied for eighth in the MIAA with six sacks last season.
He had four tackles at Northwest Missouri in the playoffs. He recorded five tackles with two of them being sacks against Minn.-Duluth. He had three tackles at Missouri Western with an assist behind the line of scrimmage. He had three tackles with one for a loss against Ft. Hays State. His one tackle at Pitt State was for a loss of four yards. He had three tackles, 1.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry against Lindenwood. He had three tackles and recovered a fumble in the end zone at Northeastern State. 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 as a sophomore. 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.
LOGAN'S RUN
Defensive end Logan Powell (Jr./Gardner, Kan) had an assisted tackle at Northwest Missouri in the playoffs. He had three tackles against Washburn in his first action since October 8. He had a pass break up at Northeastern State.
As a red-shirt freshman he had a tackle and a pass break up against Washburn in 2015.
He was a second-team All-State performer for Gardner-Edgerton HS as a senior in 2013.
STRENGTH FROM WITHIN
Defensive lineman Marek Thompson (Fr.-RS./Osceola, Mo.) is in his second year with the Hornets.
He was a two-time first-team All-State pick and unanimous selection as a senior. He was a Missouri state finalist for the Wendy's HS Heisman. He holds Osceola HS records in shot at 48-03 and discus at 161-00.
BASSMASTER
Defensive lineman Parker Bass (So./Emporia, Kan) was credited with three tackles at Pittsburg State. He 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 the previous 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) was second in the MIAA and ranked 36th in the nation with two fumble recoveries. He had a tackle and a fumble recovery at Pitt State. He forced and recovered a fumble at Northeastern State. He had two tackles, one for a loss of three yards, against Mo. Southern. 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.
ROCKY HORROR
Defensive lineman John Denton (Sr./Perry, Kan.) is in his second year with the Hornets.
He played tight end for UMass in 2014 before sitting out the last two seasons. He began his college career at Coffeyville CC. He played in 16 games as a blocking tight end for the Ravens with 128 receiving yards. He was an All-League performer for Perry-Lecompton HS.
HOWLING COMMANDO
Defensive lineman Patrick Dugan (Sr./Wichita, Kan.) is in his second year with the Hornets. He had seven tackles, five of them solo, with a sack and a fumble recovery in five games last year.
He transferred to Emporia State from Butler CC after earning First-Team All Class 5A honors from the Kansas Football Coaches Association as a senior at Bishop Carroll HS.
YOUNG ONES
The defensive line will be filled out by a trio of young players. Jackson Maase (So./Overland Park, Kan.) played in four games last year and recorded a solo tackle against Minnesota Duluth in the playoffs. Dyllan Haworth (Fr.-RS/Weatherford, Okla.) and Mark Golubski (Fr.-RS/Kansas City, Kan.) will be making their first road trips with the Hornets. Haworth was a first-team Class 4A All-Star in Oklahoma on the offensive line for Weatherford HS while Golubski was an All-Eastern Kansas League pick for Bishop Miege HS.
SPEEDY
Cornerback A.J. West (Jr./Yukon, Okla.) earned second-team All-MIAA and All-Region honors last season after recording 44 tackles with an interception and three pass break ups.
He broke up a pass against Northwest Missouri in the playoffs. He had six tackles and took a lateral 35 yards for a touchdown after a fumble against Minn.-Duluth. He had three solo stops at Washburn. He was credited with three tackles against Ft. Hays State. He had eight tackles and a pass break up at Pittsburg State. He 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. 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 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.
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.
TOP DESIGN
Safety Marcus Houghton (Sr./McPherson, Kan) was a second-team Academic All-American last year. He has already graduated and is working on his MBA.
He had 26 tackles with a pass break up and a 49 yard fumble return last year. He was credited with five tackles at Northwest Missouri in the playoffs. He had two tackles against Minn.-Duluth. He had three tackles at Missouri Western. He returned to the lineup with one tackle and a pass break up against Pittsburg State after missing three games with an ankle injury. 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.
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 named second-team CoSIDA Academic All-American for his work in the classroom and on the field. He has a 3.97 GPA in business administration.
SAFETY IN NUMBERS
Safety Gary Woods II (So./Oklahoma City, Okla.) was tied for 21st in the MIAA in interceptions last season.
He had five tackles with an assisted tackle for loss at Pittsburg State. 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 tackles, one tackle for loss and a pass break up against Missouri Southern.
He was a two-time all-Southwest Prep Conference (includes schools from Oklahoma and Texas) selection at Casady Prep School 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.
ACE OF MAYZE
Cornerback Ace Mayze (Sr./Arlington, Texas) returns for his senior season after not being able to compete last year.
He had a solo stop at Henderson State in the 2015 playoffs. He had three tackles at Ft. Hays State and was in on half a tackle for loss. He recorded three tackles and a pass break up at Central Oklahoma. He had five tackles and a key fourth quarter pass breakup against Central Missouri. He was credited with seven tackles at Missouri Southern.
He had three tackles and a fumble recovery at Missouri Western in 2014. He recorded five tackles at Northeastern State. He had a pair of solo tackles against Central Oklahoma. He had one tackle and was credited with two pass break ups at Central Missouri. He was credited with five tackles against Missouri Southern.
He saw action in all 11 games as a freshman. He had a season high five tackles, four of them solo stops, against Southwest Baptist.
SPARTACUS
Cornerback Jarrett Strode (Sr./St. Charles, Mo.) is in his sixth year with the Hornets and is the lone remaining active member of the 2012 Kanza Bowl Championship team. He was injured against Northwest Missouri in the first game of last year and was granted a second medical red-shirt.
He played in six games as a junior in 2015 with seven tackles. He had two tackles at Henderson State. He was credited with two solo stops against Washburn.
He redshirted in 2014 with an injury. As sophomore in 2013 he had nine tackles in eight games. He had a season high four tackles at Lincoln and recorded three solo tackles at Ft. Hays State. As a freshman he moved into the starting line up late as injuries piled up in the Hornet secondary. He had two unassisted tackles against TAMU-Kingsville in the Kanza Bowl. He had four tackles at Washburn.
CLOSE THE GATE
Defensive back Roscoe Gatewood (So./Midwest City, Okla.) moved into the post season roster as a red-shirt freshman last year. He had one tackle at Washburn. 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.
THE LOHR OF THE LAND
Defensive back Dillon Lohr (So./Midwest City, Okla.) is in his third year with the Hornets. He became Emporia State's primary kick returner at the end of last year.
He had three kick returns with a long of 27 yards against Minn.-Duluth. He had a pass break up at Washburn. He had a career high four tackles against Ft. Hays State. He had a 17 yard kickoff return at Pittsburg 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.
GOLD FINGER
Safety Asher Goldston (Jr./Lenexa, Kan.) is a transfer from Hutchingson CC. He Had 51 tackles with four interceptions and a touchdown for the Blue Dragons. He was an All-Sunflower League kick returner for Shawnee Mission West HS in 2013.
CHANGE UP
Cornerback Brent Davenport (Jr./Dallas, Texas) is in his fourth year with the Hornets but his first on the defensive side of the ball. He came to Emporia State as a quarterback and has played wide receiver the last two years before moving to defense.
THE THIRD PHAROAH
Safety Ramsey Stramel (Sr./Herington, Kan.) is the only other Hornet with game experience at the safety position, playing in three games last year after moving from receiver. He transferred to Emporia State after playing for Ft. Scott CC. He had seven receptions for 67 yards for the Greyhounds as a sophomore.
SAVAGES
Safety Cody Savage (Sr./Canton, Kan.) is in his first year with the Hornets. He transferred to Emporia State from Kansas State.
He played two seasons at receiver for Hutchinson CC. He caught three passes for 89 yards i nhis two years.
He was a two-year starting quarterback for Canton-Galva HS and earned honorable mention all-state honors.
NEW BLOOD
Cornerback Kelin Gordon (Fr./Del City, Okla.) is the only true freshman on the travel roster. He was the District 5A-1 defensive back of the year for Del City HS. He earned All-District and All-Big City selection after recording 44 tackles, seven interceptions and one fumble recovery as a senior. He was also a member of Del City HS state championship 4x100m relay team.
SALTY
Kicker Austin Morton (Sr./Rockwall, Texas) was an honorable mention All-MIAA pick. He was second in the MIAA in total kick scoring and is fourth in made field goals. He was ranked 12th in the nation in field goals made. He hit eight out of eight PAT against Minn.-Duluth, but had a string of eight straight made field goals snapped. He was three of three on field goals with a career long of 49 yards at Washburn and hit three of three PATs to break the school record for carer makes. He made 34 and 32 yard field goals against Missouri Western. He hit a 42 yard field goal against Ft. Hays State. He connected on both field goals and all five PATs at Pittsburg State. He hit a pair of career long 44 yard field goals at Northeastern State. He was five for five against Central Okla. on PATs. 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. He was two for three on field goal attempts and hit all four PAT attempts at Neb.-Kearney. He was a 2015 preseason All-American by Lindy's and the Sporting News.
He was an AP Little All-American as a sophomore. 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 in 2015.
He set the Emporia State and NCAA Division II playoff single game record with five made field goals in the rain at Henderson State with two of them from over 40 yards out. 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. 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 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. 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 46 makes. He holds the Emporia State single game and season records for most field goals made. He is 46 of 61 in his career on field goals at Emporia State. He has made a school record 146 of 154 PAT attempts. He is second in total field goals made among active D-II players.
MARCHING ON
Kicker/punter Justin Marcha (Sr./Edmond, Okla.) was an honorable mention All-MIAA pick at punter last season. He was seventh in the MIAA and 36th in the nation in punting average at 40.0 yards per punt and he had the second longest punt of the year in the league. He is just the fourth Hornet to average 40.0 yards per punt for a season behind Pat Amon's school record avearge of 41.9 in 2001, Kelly Goodburn's 40.8 in 1984, and Tyler Chilson's 40.4 in 2010
He averaged 39.5 yards per punt at Northwest Missouri in the playoffs and put both of his kickoffs into the end zone. He averaged 38.0 yards per punt against Minn.-Duluth and had four touchbacks on ten kickoffs against the Bulldogs. He averaged 45.6 yards per punt on eight punts at Missouri Western with three inside the Griffon 20 yard line. He averaged 63.0 yards on six kickoffs and MWSU's average starting field position was inside their own 24 following his kicks. He averaged 43.6 yards per punt against Lindenwood. He averaged 54.3 yards per punt with a 70 yarder at Northeastern State and averaged 62.3 yards on nine kickoffs. He averaged 60.2 yards with just one touchback in eight kickoffs against Mo. Southern. He averaged 41.2 yards on six punts at Neb.-Kearney.
He was an honorable mention selection at punter as a sophomore. He was sixth in the MIAA in punting average at 38.8 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 averaged 58.1 yards per kick with 19 touchbacks on 87 kick offs. All three of his kickoffs at Northwest Missouri in the playoffs were good for touchbacks. His 28 yard rush on a fake punt is the longest run from scrimmage for the Hornets against the Bearcats since Zach Rampy had a 29 yard gain in 2008. He averaged 41.5 yards on six punts at Minnesota State with one blocked. He averaged 39.1 yards on eight punts at Northwest Missouri in the regular season, forcing three fair catches, and had one blocked. He had a 50 yard punt against Pittsburg State. 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.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Long snapper Reid Buckingham (Sr./Lawrence, Kan.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets and has handled the long snapping since he first set foot on campus.
THE POLLS SAY
The MIAA has three teams ranked in the top 25 in the preseason AFCA and D2Football.com national polls. The Hornets are ranked #4 in the AFCA and D2Football.com preseason polls. 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 for six straight years. Emporia State is 7-8 against teams ranked in the AFCA Top 25 over the last four years, with a 7-2 record against teams other than Northwest Missouri.
HEAD COACH GARIN HIGGINS
Former Hornet Garin Higgins begins his 11th season at his alma mater having transformed Hornet football into a national power. He has a 115-61 record in 15 years as a head coach and 64-52 in ten seasons at Emporia State. His 64 wins rank third behind Hornet legends Fran Welch and Larry Kramer. He has built the Hornets the right way over his ten seasons and orchestrated one of the great turnarounds in Emporia State history. The Hornets have gone 45-16 over the last five years after going 19-36 in his first five seasons.
He is the 21st head football coach at Emporia State, was the first to lead the Hornets to ten wins in two different seasons and has now done it in three seasons. He has coached in more post season games than any one in Emporia State history. He completed his ninth season by taking his alma mater deeper into the NCAA Division II playoffs than ever before last season. 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 115-60 as a head coach with a 64-51 record at his alma mater. 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.
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.
INJURY REPORT
Wide receiver Morris Williams II (shoulder) is out for the Northwest Missouri game.
THE NFL EXPERIENCE
The Hornets have had 15 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. Jeff Richards is in camp with the Carolina Panthers after winning a Grey Cup with the Ottawa Redblacks in the CFL last season. Adam Schiltz saw action in exhibition games with the Chiefs in 2015 while Austin Willis played in exhibition action for the Buffalo Bills last year. 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.
LISTEN & WATCH LIVE
Video webcasts for all of Emporia State's regular season games are available on a pay per view basis from the MIAA Digital Network. The MIAA Network broadcasts can be viewed on desktop, mobile devices, and internet-connected television devices anywhere in the world. The MIAA Network content is available live, via live DVR, and is also immediately archived for on-demand viewing after each event. This means fans of the MIAA Network can watch whenever, wherever, and on their platform of choice.
Fans can find all of the action on www.themiaanetwork.com and on The MIAA Network apps for Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku.
Audio of all Emporia State games are available on KFFX 104.9FM and at www.kvoe.com with Greg Rahe, Kenneth Sellers and Ron Thomas providing the call. KFFX is in their 30th straight year as the radio home of Hornet Athletics, the longest active streak between a commercial station and an MIAA school.
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 entire six year run of the MIAA Television Network the Hornets had a home game featured, capped by their 45-34 win over Central Missouri in the 2015 home opener. 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 six 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.
CAPTAINS
This year's team captains are senior safety Marcus Houghton, linebacker Gabe Cleveland, junior quarterback Braxton Marstall, senior S-Back Denzel Strong, junior running back Landon Nault, and senior offensive lineman Tom O'Grady.
A Hornet win would...
•make Emporia State 1-0 overall, 1-0 in the MIAA;
•be the Hornets first win over a nationally ranked team to open the season;
•make Emporia State 3-31 all-time against Northwest Missouri;
•snap a 24 game losing streak to the Bearcats;
•be the first time Emporia State has defeated a #1 ranked team in football;
•be the Hornets first win in Maryville since 1994;
•snap Northwest Missouri's 30 game winning streak;
•make Coach Higgins 65-52 at Emporia State and 116-61 overall.
A Hornet loss would...
•make Emporia State 0-1 overall, 0-1 in the MIAA;
•give Emporia State season opening losses in back to back years for the first time since 1995-96.
•make Emporia State 2-32 all-time against Northwest Missouri;
•be Emporia State's 25th straight loss to the Bearcats;
•give Northwest Missouri a 31 game winning streak;
•make Coach Higgins 64-53 at Emporia State and 115-62 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.
