October 13, 2018-Emporia State got it's first defensive score since September 16, 2017 on the way to a 41-23 victory at Central Missouri on Saturday in Warrensburg, Mo. It is the third win for the Hornets in the last four meetings with the Mules and moves Emporia State to 4-3 on the season.
The Hornets scored touchdown on their first three drives while allowing the Mules just ten points on their first five drives. After forcing UCM to turn the ball over on downs on the opening drive, Emporia State went 63 yards on 13 plays to take a 7-0 lead on Braxton Marstall's one yard dive with 7:48 left in the first quarter. Central Missouri was able to get within 7-3 on an Alex Langer 30 yard field goal with 1:59 left in the period.
On the first play of the second quarter Marstall scrambled 23 yards to give the Hornets a 13-3 lead as the PAT was blocked. The Mules quickly answered with a four yard touchdown pass from Jeremy Hunt to Jalen Marsalis with 10:43 left in the half. Landon Nault put Emporia State back up by two scores with a career long 61 yard run to make it 20-10 with 9:49 remaining.
Logan Thompson picked off a Hunt pass with 4:41 left in the half and two plays later the Hornets were up 27-10. Marstall found Justin Brown for 37 yards on first down and then hit Tyler Harris for a three yard score with 4:25 remaining. UCM answered with a nine play 65 yard drive capped by a 22 yard pass from Hunt to Ryan Sass to make it 27-17 at the break.
Neither team scored in the third period as the two teams combined to punt nine times while the Hornets got the only turnover of the quarter on a Cade Harrelson interception of Hunt that ESU was not able to turn into points.
The Hornets took a three score lead on their first drive of the fourth quarter when Marstall connected with Jordan Reed for a 34 yard touchdown with 13:13 left in the game. The Mules drove down to the Emporia State 29 yard line on the ensuing possession but Gary Woods II forced a DeVante Turner fumble that Parker Bass picked up and returned 74 yards for a touchdown as Hornets took a 41-17 lead with 11:05 remaining.
The Mules came back with a six play, 58 yard drive capped by a 24 yard Hunt to Marsalis touchdown with 9:33 left. Asher Goldston intercepted the two point attempt to keep the margin at three scores at 41-23. The Hornets went three and out on their drive and the Mules drove down to the Emporia State 11 yard line but Woods broke up a fourth down pass with 4:01 left. Emporia State was then able to run out the clock and pick up the 41-23 lead.
Marstall was 24 of 33 for 278 yards with two touchdowns and added 63 yards on 15 carries with two more scores. Landon Nault had his third 100 yard rushing game of the season, finishing with 114 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown. Tyler Harris was the leading receiver for the Hornets with seven catches for 92 yards and a score.
Defensively Logan Thompson and Jace McDown each had nine tackles for the Hornets. Thompson added an interception while McDown had 2.0 tackles for loss, including half a sack. Parker Bass had five tackles to go with his 74 yard fumble return for a touchdown.
The Hornets are back in action next weekend when they welcome Missouri Western to Jones Field at Welch Stadium. Emporia State's Homecoming game kicks off at 2:00 p.m. on October 20.
NOTES
Bass' fumble return for a touchdown was the first defensive touchdown scored by the Hornets since Logan Thompson returned an interception 26 yards against Missouri Southern on September 16, 2017
