EMPORIA STATE FOOTBALL MEETS MISSOURI SOUTHERN ON SENIOR DAY

Game #10
Emporia State Hornets (5-4, 5-4 MIAA)
vs. Missouri Southern Lions (1-8, 1-8 MIAA)
Saturday, Nov. 3 at 2:00 p.m.  • Jones Field at Welch Stadium (7,000) • Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: MSSU leads 22-21 Current Streak: ESU 6 Wins
Last Meeting: ESU 36, at MSSU 29 (September 16, 2017)
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 1:00 p.m. TV: None
Internet (Audio): www.kvoe.com Internet (Video): themiaanetwork.com
Live Stats • Ticket Info • Complete Notes in pdf
Officials: Announced on Game Day
Up Next: at Central Oklahoma • Saturday, November 10 at 2:00 p.m.
Wantland Stadium (12,000) • Edmond, Okla.

CELEBRATING SENIORS   
Emporia State will celebrate the last game at Welch Stadium for 19 seniors as they play host to Missouri Southern with a chance to secure a winning record in four straight seasons for the first time as members of the NCAA.

LAST TIME OUT
Justin Brown blocked a potential game winning field goal on the last play of regulation and then scored the game winning touchdown in overtime for the Hornets as Emporia State defeated Washburn 34-31 in the 115th edition of the Turnpike Tussle.
The Hornets had leads of 7-0 and 14-7 before the Ichabods took a 21-14 lead with 2:53 left in the half.  ESU scored with :47 left to go to halftime tied at 21.  Emporia State went up 28-21 in the third and Washburn tied it at 28 with 14:51 left in the game. WU drove to the ESU seven yard line with 29 seconds left and then ran the clock down to :03 before setting up for the field goal that was blocked by Brown. After the Bods converted a field goal in their half of the OT, Braxton Marstall hit Brown for an eight yard touchdown for the walk-off win.
Braxton Marstall finished the game 32 of 51 for 373 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions while adding 40 yards on the ground on 12 carries with two scores.  Brown had seven catches for 91 yards and a touchdown while Tyler Harris finished with eight receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown.  Nault was the leading rusher with 73 yards on 20 carries. Defensively Jace McDown had a career high 14 tackles and forced two fumbles.

THE COACHES
Garin Higgins has a career record of 126-70 in his 17th season as a head coach. He is 75-61 in his 12th season at his alma mater and is 66-37 since the start of the 2010 season. He led the Hornets to the NCAA Playoffs in three of the last five 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 6-3 against Missouri Southern.
Joe Bettasso is 1-5 after taking over as interim coach at Missouri Southern on September 18.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 5-4 on the year. They lead the nation in fourth downs converted and fourth down attempts, going 24 of 37 on the year. They lead the MIAA and are ranked 23rd in the nation in turnover margin.  Tyler Harris is leading the MIAA and ranked 12th in the nation in touchdown receptions. Braxton Marstall leads the MIAA in passing yards and touchdown passes, ranking 22nd and 38th nationally in each. Justin Brown is leading the MIAA and 20th nationally in receptions.

SCOUTING THE LIONS
Missouri Southern is 1-8 on the season. They are ranked last in the MIAA in scoring and are the only conference team averaging less than 10.0 points per game. The Lions are ranked 11th in scoring defense giving up 46.8 points per game.

THE SERIES
This will be the 44th meeting in the series that dates back to 1970. The Hornets lead the series 15-10 in MIAA play with the Lions leading the overall series 22-21. Emporia State has won six straight against Missouri Southern.

LAST TIME OUT VS. MO. SOUTHERN
The #14 Hornets ran 98 plays and gained 500 total yards as they escaped with a 36-29 victory over Missouri Southern. The Lions scored first on an 18 yard touchdown pass, but AJ West blocked the PAT and Ace Mayze returned the ball to make it 6-2 in the first quarter. The teams would go into the half tied at 19 thanks to another blocked PAT. MSSU hit a field goal to go up 22-19 with 8:45 left in the third before ESU scored 17 straight points to take control. Landon Nault ended the game with 113 yards on 23 carries while Braxton Marstall was 21 of 36 for 236 yards and two touchdowns.  Jordan Reed was the leading receiver for the Hornets with four catches for 79 yards.  Logan Thompson had nine tackles and a 25 yard interception return for a touchdown on defense.

UP NEXT
The Hornets travel to Edmond, Okla. to take on Central Oklahoma in the final regular season game next Saturday. Kick-off from Wantland Stadium is set for 2:00 p.m.

KNOW THE FOE
This will be the 44th meeting between Emporia State and Missouri Southern and the 26th time the two have met as MIAA foes. The teams have met every year since 1991, with the exception of the 2012 and 2013 seasons when the MIAA had an unbalanced schedule.  In what may have been one of the biggest games in Emporia State history, the then 1-4 Hornets overcame a 17 point halftime deficit against the then 1-3 Lions to eventually win 31-24 on October 8, 2011 in Welch Stadium.  Emporia State went on to finish that season by winning four the final six games and are 60-27 since then. Against Missouri Southern in that time, the Hornets have won by an average score of 44.0-24.5 points per game.
Since that Hornet win in 2011 the Lions have had four head coaches - Bart Tatum (4 games), Daryl Daye (32 games), Denver Johnson (36 games) and current interim coach Joe Bettaso (6 games). In that same time frame Emporia State has had six players start at quarterback - Tyler Eckenrode (17 games), Brent Wilson (29 games), Corbin Jones (1 game), Ty Reasnor (5 games), Braxton Marstall (34 games) and Pat Briningstool (1 game).

FLIP A SWITCH
Emporia State was 15-34 under head coach Garin Higgins and trailing Missouri Southern 17-0 at the midway point of the 2011 season. Emporia State came back to win 31-25 and have gone 60-27 since then. Of the 27 losses, 13 have been to teams ranked in the AFCA Top 25 at the time. 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 86 games since then Emporia State is averaging 33.29 points while giving up 27.95 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.  

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, Northwest Missouri, and Pittsburg State are the only MIAA teams to have won playoff games in back to back years.

MIAA IN THE POSTSEASON
Since the MIAA first expanded in 1989 and the new teams became eligible for post season play in 1990, the league has eight national championships and a representative in 15 of 27 national championship games, including ten of the last 14 title games.  In that time the MIAA is 42-17 in the NCAA Playoffs and 16-7 in bowl games for a combined post season record of 58-24 against non-conference opponents. 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 fifth all-MIAA regional final all-time.  Six different MIAA schools have advanced to the NCAA Playoffs and won a game since 2010 while eight 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. The only two schools to have never made the NCAA Playoffs are Lindenwood, who played for the 2010 NAIA National Championship, and Northeastern State, who made the NAIA National Championship game four times and won the title in 1994. Both of them have played in NCAA sanctioned bowl games since 2011, meaning every football playing member of the MIAA has participated in post season play at some point.   
All MIAA NCAA Divison II Quarterfinals
2015    at Northwest Mo. 38, Emporia State 17    
2011    at Pittsburg State 41, Northwest Mo. 16
2010    at Northwest Mo. 37, Central Mo. 20    
2005    Northwest Mo. 21, at Pittsburg State 10
2004    at Pittsburg State 50, Northwest Mo. 36

YOU HAVE TO SCORE TO WIN
The Hornets are 59-12 under coach Higgins when scoring 28 or more points with a 54-7 record in their last 61 games in which they have scored at least 28 points. Emporia State has won 19 games when allowing their opponents 28 or more points under coach Higgins, but the Hornets have only won 16 games when they have scored less than 28 points. The Hornets have averaged 38.98 points per game in their 43 wins and 19.59 points in their 21 losses since Emporia State last posted a shutout - a 13-0 win over Lindenwood in 2012. The 53-52 loss at Central Oklahoma last season was the first time in school history the Hornets have scored 50 points in regulation and lost a game.

RIDING SCHOOL
Quarterback Braxton Marstall (Sr./Emporia, Kan.) is 23-11 in his career as a starter and has six fourth quarter or later comebacks, five of which the Hornets have scored with under two minutes left or in overtime to win. Three times he has led the Hornets back from double digit deficits in the second half. He leads the MIAA in passing yards, passing touchdowns and completions, while ranking second in points responsible for and total offense. He is the only active D2 player with 8,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in his career.
AS A SENIOR-He earned his third MIAA Offensive Player of the Week honor after throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns while adding two scores and 40 yards on the ground against Washburn. He was 35 of 49 for 278 yards with three passing touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown against Missouri Western. He earned his second straight MIAA Offensive Player of the Week award by gaining 341 total yards with four total touchdowns at Central Missouri. He was 24 of 33 for 278 yards and two touchdowns in the air and gained 63 yards on 15 carries with two rushing touchdowns against the Mules. He was named MIAA Offensive Player of the Week after going for 289 yards and three touchdowns while adding a team-high 68 yards on the ground as he led the Hornets to a fourth quarter come from behind win against Ft. Hays State. He was 40 of 63 for 404 yards and two touchdowns and added 38 rushing yards on 15 carries with two more touchdowns against Lindenwood. It was his fifth career 400 yard passing game. He was 20 of 35 for 132 yards with a touchdown and gained 72 yards on nine rushes at Neb.-Kearney. He was seven of 23 for 72 yards with a touchdown and an interception against Pittsburg State.
AS A JUNIOR-He was named honorable mention All-MIAA last season. He led the MIAA in completions per game, is second in passing touchdowns and passing yards per game, third in passing efficiency, total passing yards, total offense, points responsible for and completion percentage, and was fifth in yards per completion. He was ranked fifth in the nation in total offense and completions per game, 11th in passing yards per game, 15th in total passing yards, 21st in touchdown passes, 29th in completion percentage, 35th in points responsible for, and 37th in passing efficiency. He was 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 was 24 of 42 for 261 yards and two touchdowns against Missouri Western and led the Hornets back from a ten point second half deficit for the win. He earned his second MIAA Offensive Player of the Week award of the 2017 season when he went 36 of 61 for 421 yards and three touchdown at Lindenwood along with 50 rushing yards. He went 21 of 30 for 315 yards and three touchdowns against Northeastern State. He was 27 of 42 for 429 yards with five touchdown passes and added 37 rushing yards at Central Oklahoma.  He was 28 of 39 for 344 yards with two touchdowns against Central Missouri and added 29 rushing yards. He was named MIAA Offensive Player of the Week after going 30 of 36 for 435 yards with four touchdowns against Neb.-Kearney.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection in 2016. 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 was the only player in the MIAA with at least 3,000 passing yards and at least 500 rushing yards that year.
His 327 passing yards at Northwest Missouri in the 2016 NCAA Playoffs were the most passing yards allowed by the Bearcats since 2014. He had the fifth best passing day in MIAA history in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs against Minn.-Duluth with 481 yards on 26 of 39 passing with five touchdowns. 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 28 of 37 for 321 yards with a touchdown and had 18 carries for 73 yards and two rushing touchdowns at Pittsburg State. He had 39 completions against Lindenwood for 317 yards and a touchdown and added 49 yards rushing and two scores on the ground. 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.
AS A FRESHMAN-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.
IN HIS CAREER-He holds the Emporia State career records for total offense at 10,112 yards, passing yards at 8,981 yards, pass attempts, pass completions, and total offensive attempts and the single game record for individual offensive attempts with 76 against Lindenwood this year. He is second on the Emporia State career list with 75 touchdown passes. He is second in single season total offense at Emporia State with 4,120 yards in 2016 to rank sixth in the MIAA in the category. He ranks third in passing with 3,599 yards and 31 touchdown passes for the Hornets 2016 and is also sixth on the single season yardage list with 2,893 yards in 2017.  He is fifth in the MIAA in career total offense and needs 56 yards to tie Pittsburg State's Neal Philpot for fourth. He is currently eighth in career passing in MIAA history and could move up to sixth with 116 yards.
He is ranked second among active D2 players in total offensive plays, third in completions, fifth in total offense, touchdowns responsible for and passing attempts, sixth in passing yards per game and total touchdown passes, seventh in completion percentage.

DALTON GANG
Quarterback Dalton Cowan (Fr.-RS/Topeka, Kan.) has emerged as the backup quarterback to Marstall.
AS A FRESHMAN-He threw a 54 yard touchdown in his only snap against Ft. Hays State. He did not play against Northwest Missouri with flu like symptoms. He played the final series against Pittsburg State and had the majority of the fourth quarter at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a first-team All Class 5A and first-team All-Centennial League selection at quarterback for Seaman HS. He was named Topeka Offensive Player of the Year after he passed for 1,870 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 589 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground for the Vikings. His father Jeff Cowan played linebacker for the Hornets while his mother Cassie (Henry) Cowan played basketball for the Lady Hornets.

MR. WALLACE
Quarterback T'Quan Wallace (Jr./Oklahoma City, Okla.) is in his fourth season with the Hornets.
AS A JUNIOR-He played the final two series at Northwest Missouri.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He went 15 of 28 for 118 yards in relief against Ft. Hays State last season. He was four for four for 32 yards when forced into action against Pitt State in the fourth quarter. He had an 18 yard rush against Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN-He saw his first regular season action in the fourth quarter at Northeastern State as a freshman.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-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.

LONG HILL
Running back Landon Nault (Sr./Kingfisher, Okla.) is a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's William V. Campbell Trophy. He is ranked second in the MIAA in rushing and fifth in rushing touchdowns.
AS A SENIOR-He gained 73 yards on 20 rushes at Washburn. He had a career high 61 yard touchdown rush on the way to 114 yards on 21 carries at Central Missouri. He had 55 yards on 13 carries and added a career high eight pass receptions for 48 yards. He was held to 29 yards on 11 carries at Northwest Missouri. He scored three touchdowns and had 94 all purpose yards against Lindenwood. He had his second straight 100 yard game with 124 yards on a career high 29 carries at Neb.-Kearney. He had a regular season career high 177 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown against Pittsburg State. He had 88 rushing yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns at Northeastern State.
AS A JUNIOR-He was a second-team All-MIAA pick at running back on the field and earned second-team Academic All-America honors in the classroom.
He was ranked third in the MIAA with nine rushing touchdowns while ranking fifth in the league with ten total touchdown and was sixth in rushing yards per game. He had 138 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown against Washburn last year. He had two touchdowns against Missouri Western. He rushed for 64 yards with two touchdowns on 23 carries at Central Oklahoma. He added 47 yards and a touchdown on four catches for his third straight game with at least 100 yards from scrimmage. He had 133 yards on 25 carries with two touchdowns against Central Missouri. He ran for 113 yards on 23 carries at Missouri Southern. He had 35 yards on ten carries against Neb.-Kearney.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He was an honorable mention All-MIAA pick in 2016 and was 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 22 carries for 65 yards against Ft. Hays State. He had 82 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown at Pittsburg 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.
AS A FRESHMAN-He was ranked tenth in the MIAA in rushing with 727 yards and was tied for 20th with four rushing touchdowns in 2015. He finished with 179 yards on 28 carries and a touchdown at Henderson State. He had 69 yards on 14 carries against Neb.-Kearney. 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.  
IN HIS CAREER-He has 2,757 career rushing yards on 664 carries with 23 rushing touchdowns to go with 66 catches for 491 yards and three receiving touchdowns in 46 career games for Emporia State. He has carried the ball more than any active NCAA Division II player and ranks 13th across all three NCAA Divisions. He is ranked 17th in total rushing yards among active D2 players. His 179 rushing yards against Henderson State in 2015 are the most by a Hornet in an NCAA playoff game and were the post in a post season game of any type for Emporia State since Tyler Paul gained 224 against Winona State in the 2002 Mineral Water Bowl.

TRIUMPHANT
Running back Kai Callins (Jr./Guthrie, Okla.) is a fifth year junior on the field for the Hornets due to a pair of knee injuries and has already graduated. He has 1,024 rushing yards in his career.
AS A JUNIOR-He gained 31 yards on six rushes at Washburn. He had 33 yards on six carries against Missouri Western. He rushed six times for 34 yards and added two catches for 25 yards at Central Missouri. He had five catches for 37 yards against Ft. Hays State. He had seven carries for 27 yards against Lindenwood. He had 38 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown at Neb.-Kearney.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He gained 55 yards on 12 carries against Washburn last season. He had a team high 46 yards on eight rushes at Ft. Hays State. He had ten carries for 45 yards against Pittsburg State. He ran for 83 yards on a career high 25 carries with two touchdowns and added two catches for 16 yards and a touchdown at Lindenwood. He had 72 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries with 72 yards on seven punt returns against Northeastern State. He had 66 yards on 16 carries at Missouri Southern. He had 29 yards on six carries, 38 yards on two receptions and a punt return for 6 yards for 73 all-purpose yards against Neb.-Kearney. He had four carries for 12 yards, a punt return for 14 yards and a 44 yard kick return at Northwest Missouri in his return to the lineup.
He had 15 yards on seven carries before getting injured at Neb.-Kearney in 2016 and getting a medical redshirt. He had one reception for ten yards against Northwest Missouri in his first action after sitting out the 2015 season following a knee injury in spring ball.
AS A FRESHMAN-He had 346 rushing yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman in 2014. 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 Mo. Southern.

JUST IN CASE
Receiver Justin Brown (Sr./El Reno, Okla.) is the Emporia State career leader with 248 receptions. He leads the MIAA in receptions, ranks seventh in touchdown catches and tenth in receiving yards.
AS A SENIOR-He was named MIAA Special Teams player of the Week after he blocked a potential game winning field goal at Washburn. He then scored the game winning touchdown in overtime as part of his seven catch, 91 yard performance against the Ichabods. He had 79 yards on ten catches and a touchdown against Missouri Western. He had four catches for 54 yards at Central Missouri. He had 68 yards on seven receptions at Northwest Missouri. He caught a season high 11 balls for 126 yards against Lindenwood. He caught five passes for 35 yards and the go ahead touchdown at Neb.-Kearney. He had three catches for 59 yards and a touchdown against Pitt State.
AS A JUNIOR-He was a first-team All-MIAA receiver and earned first-team All-Region honors from Don Hansen's Football Gazette. He had 86 receptions for 999 yards with eight touchdowns last season. He was eighth in the nation in receptions and 20th in receiving yards and second in the MIAA in both categories while ranking fourth in the league in touchdown receptions.
He caught eight passes for 87 yards against Washburn. He had 12 catches for 120 yards and the game winning touchdown against Missouri Western. He caught five passes for 66 yards at Ft. Hays State. He had 110 yards on nine catches against Pittsburg State. He had a career high 16 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown at Lindenwood. He caught six passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns against Northeastern State. He had six receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown at Central Oklahoma with five of the catches resulting in a first down or touchdown. He had 14 catches for 152 yards against Central Missouri with a touchdown. He had eight catches for 92 yards against Neb.-Kearney.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He was named second-team All-MIAA in 2016. He was second in the MIAA in receptions per game, sixth in touchdown receptions and ninth in total receiving yards. 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 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 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 seven passes for 89 yards and a touchdown at Nebraska-Kearney.
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 at Central Oklahoma 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 had five catches for 61 yards at Missouri Southern.
AS A FRESHMAN-He had four of his 14 catches go for touchdowns. He had six catches for 77 yards and three touchdowns at Neb.-Kearney. He had a 29 yard reception against Northwest Missouri. 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.
IN HIS CAREER-He has 2,751 yards and 28 touchdowns on 248 receptions in his 45 career games. He holds the Emporia State career record for receptions. He is in a four way tie for third in Hornet history in touchdown catches and is fourth in career receiving yards for the Hornets. He needs 91 yards to tie Shjuan Richardson for second in career receiving and two touchdowns to tie Mitch Foote for second in career scores at Emporia State.
He is third among active NCAA Division II players and fifth in all divisions in receptions. His 28 touchdowns rank 14th among active D2 players while he is 16th in receiving yards among active D2 players.

DEEP IMPACT
Receiver Tyler Harris (Sr./Andover, Kan.) leads the MIAA in touchdown receptions ranks fifth in total receptions, and sixth in receiving yards. He is also ranked tenth in the MIAA in punting at 39.1 yards per punt while the Hornets rank eighth in the league in net punting at 35.5 yards per punt.
AS A SENIOR-He had eight catches for 90 yards and a touchdown at Washburn.  He also punted six times with an average of 53.5 yards including a career best 73 yarder. He had a career high nine receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown against Missouri Western and converted a fake punt with a 26 yard rush. He had seven receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown at Central Missouri. He had four catches for a career high 140 yards with two touchdowns against Ft. Hays State. He had seven receptions for 65 yards against Lindenwood and added a touchdown. He had five catches for 34 yards at Neb.-Kearney. He caught five passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns at Northeastern State.
AS A JUNIOR-He had a 25 yard reception against Central Missouri. He had two catches for 21 yards and ran for a six yard touchdown at Mo. Southern. He had two catches for 33 yards including a 26 yarder on the first play at Northwest Missouri.
IN HIS CAREER-He was a member of the Hornet baseball team that advanced to the NCAA Regional last season. He was used mostly as a pinch runner and was three of four on stolen base attempts.
IN HIGH SCHOOL/CC-He had 17 catches for 234 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore at Hutchinson CC in 2016. He was an all-state performer for Andover Central HS in 2014 after getting 37 receptions for 980 yards and 12 touchdowns.   

OVER THE MIDDLE
Receiver Jordan Reed (Sr./Edmond, Okla.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets. He is tied for seventh in the MIAA in touchdown receptions.
AS A SENIOR-He had four catches for 48 yards and a touchdown at Washburn. He hauled in three passes for 53 yards and a touchdown at Central Missouri. He caught five passes for 50 yards and two touchdowns against Ft. Hays State. He had three receptions for 38 yards in the first half against Lindenwood. He had four catches for 38 yards at Neb.-Kearney.
AS A JUNIOR-He caught four passes for 76 yards and added a 27 yard rush at Lindenwood last season. He had four catches for 113 yards and a touchdown against Northeastern State. He had five catches for 77 yards with a touchdown at Missouri Southern.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He had 52 yards on three receptions at Central Missouri in 2016. He had five receptions for 60 yards against Missouri Southern.
AS A FRESHMAN-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 took off his redshirt and had a 16 yard reception against Northeastern State in his first game.
IN HIS CAREER-He is also a member of the Hornet track & field team and is a two-time national qualifier as a member of the outdoor 4x100m relay.  His relay is ranked fourth in Emporia State history after running a 40.55 and placing tenth nationally last May.

SIMPLE AS A-B-C 1-2-3
Receiver Jordan Jackson (Sr./Bonner Springs, Kan.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets.
AS A SENIOR-He had a ten yard catch at Washburn. He caught three passes for 23 yards against Lindenwood. He had his first reception of the year at Neb.-Kearney.
AS A JUNIOR-He had two catches for 31 yards against Central Mo. last season. He had two catches for 53 yards with a 34 yard touchdown against Neb.-Kearney.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He had six catches for 60 yards at Northeastern State as a sophomore in 2016. He caught three passes for 41 yards at Central Missouri. He caught one pass for four yards against Northwest Missouri in the season opener.
AS A FRESHMAN-Two of his five catches as a freshman 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.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-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 SURFACE
Receiver Seth Surface (Jr./Perry, Kan.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets. He caught two passes for 18 yards against Lindenwood. He saw action in six games last season.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-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.   

ANY GIVEN SATURDAY
Receiver Travon Jones (So./Mesquite, Texas) is in his second season with the Hornets.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He has played in all nine games. He had a 19 yard reception against Lindenwood. He has returned 14 kicks for 237 yards on the season with a long of 33 yards at Northwest Missouri.

SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT
Receiver Corey Thomas (Fr.-RS/Topeka, Kan.) is in his second season with the Hornets. He had an eight yard reception at Northwest Missouri.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a Top 11 All-City pick in Topeka as a junior in 2015. He had 1,034 rushing yards and 996 receiving yards with eight touchdowns as a junior but missed much of his senior season at Topeka HS due to Injury.

HARRISON
Receiver Kyle Harrison (Jr./Nashville, Tenn.) is in his first year with the Hornets after transferring from Ft. Scott CC. He caught three passes for 28 yards at Washburn. He had a ten yard reception and a five yard rush at Northwest Missouri.
AT FT. SCOTT CC-He was an honorable Mention All-Jayhawk Conference performer for the Greyhounds last season. He had 48 catches for 542 yards and two touchdowns.  

STRONG ENOUGH
S-back Denzel Strong (Sr./Independence, Mo.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets.
AS A SENIOR-He had 71 yards receiving on two catches at Washburn with a long of 51 yards. He had four catches for 24 yards against Missouri Western. He had five receptions for 35 yards against Lindenwood. He had 22 yards on two receptions including a 14 yard catch on a flea flicker at Northeastern State.
AS A JUNIOR-He had 50 yards on three receptions including a 31 yard touchdown against Missouri Western last season. He had a career best 81 yard catch and run at Central Oklahoma. He had two catches for 22 yards against Central Missouri. He had 61 yards on five receptions at Missouri Southern after making the switch to super back.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He was 22nd in the MIAA in yards per carry among players with at least 50 rushes as a running back in 2016.  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 ran for 27 yards on eight carries with a touchdown and added three catches for 23 yards at Neb.-Kearney.
AS A FRESHMAN-He was 21st in the league in total rushing with 406 yards in 2015.  He had 13 carries for 41 yards against Neb.-Kearney. 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 a team high 80 yards on seven carries at Central Oklahoma thanks to a season long 70 yard rush.
IN HIGH SCHOOL/CC-He redshirted one season at Hutchinson CC. He had over 1300 yards at Van Horn HS.

DRAGON HUNTER
S-Back Jaylon Raydel (Sr./Gardner, Kan.) is in his sixth year at Emporia State. He has missed three games with an injury and is questionable for Missouri Southern.
AS A SENIOR-He had one catch for 11 yards and forced a fumble on special teams at Northwest Missouri. He had a six yard reception against Lindenwood. He had a catch and a rush against Pittsburg State for a total of seven yards. He had a 12 yard reception and forced a fumble on special teams at Northeastern State.
AS A JUNIOR-He moved to S-Back from receiver prior to the Ft. Hays State game last season. He caught two passes for 19 yards against Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He sat out 2016 with an injury. He played in 11 games in 2015 with an assisted tackle on special teams against Northwest Missouri.
AS A FRESHMAN-He had four catches for 18 yards against Lindenwood as a redshirt freshman in 2014. He had one reception for one yard against Northwest Missouri.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a first-team All-State selection for Gardner-Edgerton HS and was a two-time All-Eastern Kansas League pick.

FORMULA ONE
S-Back Cole Schumacker (Fr.-RS/Rossville, Kan.) had a 12 yard reception at Central Missouri. He had two key catches for ten yards in the fourth quarter against Ft. Hays State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was an All-Class 3A receiver and three-time state champion at Rossville HS.

GREAT BALLS OF FIRE
Tight end Trenton Ball (Sr./Midwest City, Okla.) is in his fifth year with the Hornets.
AS A SENIOR-He caught a six yard pass at Neb.-Kearney.
AS A JUNIOR-He had a five yard reception on a fake field goal at Northwest Missouri to open 2017 season.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He played in all 13 games in 2016 and recorded a tackle on special teams at Pittsburg State.
AS A FRESHMAN-He had one reception for two yards at Henderson State in the 2015 playoffs. He had an 18 yard reception against Missouri Western.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-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.

HAMMER
Tight end Marcellus Edwards (Jr./Little Rock, Ark.) made the switch from defense to offense during training camp. He redshirted for the Hornets last year after transferring from Rochester (Minn.) Community & Technical College.

SPIDERMAN
Tackle Estevan Arana (Jr./Enid, Okla.) has 26 starts in 29 career games at Emporia State.
AS A JUNIOR-He earned his second Squarehead Award of the season against Neb.-Kearney. He was named the Squarehead Award winner after week one's win at Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He was an honorable mention All-MIAA performer last season. He earned his second straight Squarehead Award against Pittsburg State and his third of the season. He was also the Squarehead winner at Lindenwood. He was named the Squarehead Award winner at Missouri Southern.
AS A FRESHMAN-He was named honorable mention All-MIAA in 2016. 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.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a three-year letterwinner for Enid HS and earned all-conference, all-district and all-state honors on the offensive line.

BIG STEVE
Tackle Steve Williams (Jr./St. Louis, Mo.) is in his third year with the Hornets.
AS A JUNIOR-He was named Squarehead Award winner against Lindenwood after missing the Neb.-Kearney game with an illness.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He earned the Squarehead Award winner against Ft. Hays State last year. He was named the Squarehead Award winner for the Neb.-Kearney game in his first start of the season.
AS A FRESHMAN-He sat out the 2016 season after playing in 12 games with seven starts as a true freshman for the Hornets in 2015.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a first-team all-conference performer on the offensive line for Clayton HS and a four-year letter winner.

PLAY RIGHT AWAY
Guard Austin Unterreiner (Jr./O'Fallon, Mo.) is in his third year at Emporia State. He was named the Squarehead Award winner against Ft. Hays State.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He got his first career start at Missouri Southern last year.
AS A FRESHMAN-He moved into the offensive line rotation as a true freshman in 2016.  He played much of the second half at Pittsburg State at right tackle.
IN HIGH SCHOOL- He was a first-team all-conference and second-team all-district performer for Francis Howell HS.

INTO THE VALLEY
Guard Braden Janzen (Sr./Valley Center, Kan) is in his fifth year with the Hornets. He is a three-time winner of the Squarehead Award, getting the nod against Missouri Western, Northwest Missouri and Pittsburg State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a first-team All-ArkValley/Chisholm Trail League performer for Valley Center HS.

FRESHMAN PHENOM
Center Hayden Reed (Fr.-RS/Celina, Texas) became the first freshman to start at center for the Hornets under coach Higgins since Lance Uhles in 2008. There have only been three regular starters at center in that time - three year careers by Jake Warehime (2015-17) and Daniel Goodman (2012-14) in addition to Uhles four year career (2008-11).
IN HIGH SCHOOL- He was a first-team All-District performer on the offensive line for Celina HS.

LILLICH OF THE FIELD
Tackle Andrew Lillich (Sr./Basehor, Kan.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets. He was named the Squarehead Award winner against Central Missouri. He has played in 13 games over the last two seasons.
IN HIGH SCHOOL/CC-He transferred to Emporia State after redshirting at Butler CC.  He was a first-team All-Kaw Valley League pick for Basehor-Linwood HS.

YOUNG ONES
Tackle Xavier Cason (Fr./Junction City, Kan.) has made the two-deep as a true freshman. He was a Class 6A All-State Honorable Mention pick and 2018 Shrine Bowl Participant. He is the younger brother of Hornet linebacker Manny Cason. Guard Tyler Banta (So./Oklahoma City, Okla.) was a first-team Class 5A OCA All-Star and Carl Albert HS Lineman of the Year. Center Jarrett Roy (So./Hoyt, Kan.) redshirted last year at Emporia State after transferring from Dodge City CC and played in the 2016 Kansas Shrine Bowl representing Royal Valley HS. Guard Wyatt Malcolm (So./Columbia, Ill.) was a first-team all-conference and all-district selection at Westminster Christian HS.

ON THE DEFENSE
The Hornets lead the MIAA and rank fifth in the nation in fumbles recovered and lead the league in turnover margin. They have held seven of their nine opponents to under their season average in rushing and held Northeastern State to just 14 rushing yards.  It is a school record as a member of the NCAA for Emporia State, breaking the old record of 19 yards against then Missouri-Rolla in 2004.  

THE FIRST DAY
Defensive end Tre'Vaun Ammons (Jr./Omaha, Neb.) has moved back down to defensive end after playing the first four games as a stand up outside linebacker.
AS A JUNIOR-He had three tackles at Washburn. He was credited with five tackles and a quarterback hurry against Missouri Western. He recorded seven tackles, 2.5 TFL, a sack, and recovered a fumble against Ft. Hays State. He had six solo tackles against Lindenwood. He was credited with four tackles and a forced fumble at Neb.-Kearney. He recorded three tackles, including half a sack against Pittsburg State. He had five tackles and was in on a sack at Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He earned second-team All-MIAA honors last season. He led the MIAA and ranked 25th in the nation in tackles for loss last year and was second in the league in sacks.  He recorded 17.5 TFL, 8.5 sacks, and 53 total tackles to go with four forced fumbles, six quarterback hurries and an interception last season.  
He recorded a career high ten tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks against Washburn. He had a nine tackles with 3.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks at Ft. Hays State. He was credited with six tackles, 2.5 TFL and a pass break up at Lindenwood. He had four tackles, 3.0 TFL and a sack against Northeastern State. He had four tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a pass break up against Central Missouri. He recorded six tackles, two quarterback hurries, a sack and forced fumble at Missouri Southern. He had four tackles, two for a loss and a sack against Neb.-Kearney.
AS A FRESHMAN-He was fourth in the MIAA with 7.0 sacks as a freshman in 2016. 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 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 Oklahoma.  He had three tackles and recovered a fumble at Central Missouri. He had two unassisted tackles and a quarterback hurry in his Hornet debut against Northwest Missouri.
IN HIS CAREER-He has 32.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks in 33 career games. He is ranked eighth among active NCAA Division II players and 14th in all divisions in forced fumbles with eight and is ranked 27th in D2 in total sacks.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a second-team All-Metro selection for Omaha North HS and had 93 total tackles as a senior.

BASSMASTER
Defensive lineman Parker Bass (Jr./Emporia, Kan) leads the MIAA and ranks fourth in the nation with three fumble recoveries. He is fifth in the MIAA  with 5.0 sacks while ranking sixth in the conference with 9.0 tackles for loss.
AS A JUNIOR-He had four tackles at Washburn. He earned his second MIAA Defensive Player of the Week award with five tackles and a 74 yard fumble return for a touchdown against Central Missouri. He had five tackles, one for a loss and had a fumble forced and recovered against Ft. Hays State. He had four tackles at Northwest Missouri. He was credited with a sack and a quarterback hurry against Lindenwood. He had five tackles with one for a loss against Pittsburg State. He was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Week after recording a career best 3.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss at Northeastern State. All five of his tackles were behind the line of scrimmage against the RiverHawks.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He had a pass break up, a quarterback hurry and an assisted tackle against Missouri Western. He was credited with four tackles, including two assisted tackles for loss at Ft. Hays State. He had four tackles and two quarterback hurries against Pittsburg State. He recorded three tackles with an assisted tackle for loss at Lindenwood. He had three tackles, 1.5 TFL, a sack and a quarterback hurry against Northeastern State. He recorded four tackles at Central Oklahoma. He had four tackles including an assisted tackle for loss against Central Missouri. He missed two games with a leg injury.
AS A FRESHMAN-He was credited with three tackles at Pittsburg State as a freshman in 2016. He recorded three tackles at Northeastern State. He had two unassisted tackles against Central Oklahoma. He recorded two solo tackles at Central Missouri. He had two tackles against Northwest Missouri.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-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.

STRENGTH FROM WITHIN
Defensive lineman Marek Thompson (So./Osceola, Mo.) is in his third year at Emporia State.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He had a career high six tackles at Washburn. He had four tackles including two sacks and a pass break up at Central Missouri. He had five tackles, four of them unassisted, against Lindenwood. He was credited with five assisted tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He recorded three tackles against Pittsburg State. He had a solo tackle at Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN-He had a sack and a forced fumble against Washburn last season. He recorded three tackles against Missouri Western. He had two tackles, one for a loss and knocked down a pass at the line of scrimmage at Ft. Hays State. He had four tackles with two of them for a loss against Pittsburg State. He had two assisted tackles, one behind the line of scrimmage, at Lindenwood. He had three tackles against Central Missouri. He had two tackles against Neb.-Kearney. He had four tackles at Northwest Missouri.
IN HIS CAREER-He is also a member of the Emporia State track & field team and placed 11th in the MIAA in the discus last spring.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-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.

MAASE WINDU
Defensive lineman Jackson Maase (Jr./Overland Park, Kan.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets.
AS A JUNIOR-He was credited with four tackles against Missouri Western. He recorded a solo sack against Ft. Hays State. He had three stops at Northwest Missouri. He had a tackle for loss against Lindenwood. He had three tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He was credited with three assisted tackles with one of them behind the line of scrimmage against Pittsburg State. He had two tackles including an assist behind the line of scrimmage and had a fumble recovery of 26 yards.
AS A SOPHOMORE- He was credited with a solo tackle against Central Missouri last year. He had one tackle at Northwest Missouri.
AS A FRESHMAN-He played in four games and recorded a solo tackle against Minnesota Duluth in the playoffs in 2016.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was named second-team All-Eastern Kansas League as a junior when he helped lead Blue Valley HS to the Class 5A State championship but missed several games as a senior due to an injury.

BLOWIN' IN THE WIND
Defensive lineman Dyllan Haworth (So./Weatherford, Okla.) is in his third year with the Hornets. AS A SOPHOMORE-He had two solo stops against Pittsburg State. He was in on a tackle for loss at Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN-He recorded two solo tackles against Pittsburg State last season. He had two tackles against Northeastern State. He was credited with two assisted tackles in his Emporia State debut at Northwest Missouri.
IN HIS CAREER-He is also a member of the Hornet Track & Field team. He finished in the top 20 in the MIAA in both the shot and discus last spring.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a first-team Class 4A All-Star in Oklahoma on the offensive line for Weatherford HS

OFF THE FERRY
Defensive lineman Jahmek Murphy (Jr./Staten Island, N.Y.) is in his first year with Emporia State after transferring from ASA College.
AS A JUNIOR-He had a solo tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry at Central Missouri. He sealed the win against Ft. Hays State with a sack on the final play of the game. He had a tackle for loss on second and goal that helped hold Pittsburg State to a field goal.
IN HIGH SCHOOL/CC-He had nine tackles in seven games with three tackles for loss and a sack at ASA College in New York last season. He graduated from Tottenville HS.

POWELL GARDEN
Defensive end Logan Powell (Sr./Gardner, Kan) is a fifth year senior for the Hornets.
AS A SENIOR-He injured his knee on the first series against Central Missouri and is out for this week. He had three unassisted tackles at Northwest Missouri. He had a career high five tackles against Pittsburg State. He was credited with two solo tackles at Northeastern State.
AS A JUNIOR-He had two tackles and a quarterback hurry against Northeastern State last year. He was credited with two tackles against Central Missouri. He had an assisted tackle, a fumble recovery and a blocked PAT at Missouri Southern. He had three tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a quarterback hurry in his first career start at Northwest Missouri.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He had an assisted tackle at Northwest Missouri in the 2016 playoffs. He had three tackles against Washburn.  He had a pass break up at Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN-He had a tackle and a pass break up against Washburn in 2015.

STRANGER THINGS
Defensive lineman Hawkens Taylor (Fr.-RS/Flower Mound, Texas) is in his second season with the Hornets.
AS A FRESHMAN-He had two solo tackles at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a First-team All-District 6-6A at defensive tackle as a senior after earning first-team All-District 5-6A as a defensive end his junior year for Marcus HS.

BRING THE WOOD
Nickel backer Gary Woods II (Jr./Oklahoma City, Okla.) is third in the MIAA and 17th in the nation in fumbles forced and is fourth in the conference in solo tackles.
AS A JUNIOR-He recorded five tackles and a fumble recovery at Washburn. He had ten tackles and a pass break up against Missouri Western. He was credited with three tackles, a forced fumble and a pass break up at Central Missouri. He recorded nine tackles and had a forced fumble inside the five yard line against Ft. Hays State. He had six tackles, a pass break up and forced a fumble at Northwest Missouri. He was credited with four tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack against Lindenwood. He had ten tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He recorded ten tackles against Pittsburg State. He had six tackles including a team high five unassisted stops with a TFL and a pass break-up at Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He was an honorable mention All-MIAA performer last season. He had nine tackles against Washburn. He recorded ten tackles against Missouri Western. He had eight tackles with a six yard tackle for loss at Ft. Hays State. He had six tackles with a sack part of a tackle for loss against Northeastern State. He recorded eight tackles at Central Oklahoma, in his first start at nickel backer after beginning season at safety. He had eight tackles, including one for a loss against Central Missouri. He was credited with seven tackles, a forced fumble and a pass break up at Missouri Southern.
AS A FRESHMAN-He was tied for 21st in the MIAA in interceptions in 2016 as a freshman. 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 at Central Missouri. He had five tackles, one tackle for loss and a pass break up against Missouri Southern.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-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.

LOGAN'S RUN
Will linebacker Logan Thompson (Sr./Sedgwick, Kan.) is sixth in the MIAA 44 solo tackles on the year.
AS A SENIOR-He had nine tackles, including one for a loss against Missouri Western. He recorded nine tackles, seven of them solo, and had an interception at Central Missouri. He had ten tackles, two for a loss and a pass break up against Ft. Hays State. He was credited with eight stops, four of them solo, and a pass break up at Northwest Missouri. He had six tackles including one for a loss against Lindenwood. He recorded eight tackles with on tackle for loss at Neb.-Kearney. He had eight tackles with two behind the line of scrimmage against Pittsburg State. He was credited with two tackles at Northeastern State.
AS A JUNIOR-He had nine tackles and forced a fumble against Washburn last season. He had nine tackles against Missouri Western. He was credited with four tackles, a pass break up and a quarterback hurry against Northeastern State. He had four tackles and a pass break up against Central Missouri. He was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Week after his interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference at Missouri Southern. He finished with nine tackles against the Lions. He had five tackles against Neb.-Kearney. He was credited with seven tackles at Northwest Missouri.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He 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 tied his then career high with seven tackles and added a pass break up and quarterback hurry against Ft. Hays State. He had a then career high seven tackles and forced a fumble at Pittsburg State. He had a tackle for loss at Northeastern State.
AT KANSAS STATE-He played in five games for Kansas State before transferring to Emporia State in the spring of 2016.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-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.

GET DOWN
Mike linebacker Jace McDown (So./Columbus, Kan.) is leading the MIAA in solo tackles and forced fumbles while ranking third in the nation in forced fumbles and eighth in solo tackles. He is second in the conference and 13th in the nation in total tackles. He was named the D2Football.com National Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts against Ft. Hays State.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He earned his second MIAA Defensive Player of the Week award after recording a career high 14 tackles and forcing two fumbles at Washburn. He had 11 tackles and one tackle for loss against Missouri Western. He was credited with nine tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry at Central Missouri. He had 12 tackles, a forced fumble, pass break up and an interception against Ft. Hays State to earn MIAA and D2Football.com Defensive Player of the Week honors. He led the Hornets with nine tackles, had a forced fumble and a pass break up at Northwest Missouri. He had a then career high in tackles for the fourth straight game when he recorded 13 stops against Lindenwood. He had 11 solo stops, 2.5 TFL and his first career sack against the Lions. He was credited with 12 tackles including a sack at Neb.-Kearney. He had 11 tackles with an assisted tackle for loss against Pitt State. He had six tackles with a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry in his first career start at Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN-He was a regular on special teams for Emporia State as a freshman last season. He was credited with two solo tackles against Washburn. He had four tackles on special teams against Missouri Western.  
IN HIGH SCHOOL-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.

WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA
Linebacker Jordan Griffin (So./St. Louis, Mo.) is in his first year at Emporia State after transferring from Ft. Scott CC.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He has played in seven games this year. He had three tackles and a pass break up in his first career start at Washburn. He recorded two tackles at Central Missouri. He had four tackles at Northwest Missouri.
IN HIGH SCHOOL/CC-At Ft. Scott CC he had a 100 yard interception return for a touchdown against Iowa Western. He had an 84 yard fumble return for a touchdown for Trinity Catholic HS.

PROCESSIONAL
Linebacker Cade Harelson (RS-Fr./Davenport, Okla.) is in his second year with the Hornets after redshirting last season.
AS A FRESHMAN-He had four solo tackles against Missouri Western. He had two tackles and his first career interception at Central Missouri. He was credited with an assisted tackle and a pass break up at Northwest Missouri. He had three tackles at Neb.-Kearney.  He recorded four tackles with 1.5 sacks in his Emporia State debut at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was an All-Little City First team selection and all-state honoree for Davenport HS. He was the eight man football Class B-7 District MVP.

THE LAW
Linebacker Lawson Holbert (Jr./Leawood, Kan.) is in his first year with the Hornets after transferring from Hutchinson CC.
AS A JUNIOR-He was credited with three tackles at Washburn. He had two tackles against Missouri Western. He had two assisted tackles at Central Missouri. He had four tackles against Ft. Hays State. He had two tackles against Lindenwood.
IN HIGH SCHOOL/CC-He had seven tackles with a 43 yard interception return for a touchdown for the Blue Dragons last season. He was an honorable mention All-Eastern Kansas League pick at receiver for Blue Valley HS.

THREE SHEETS
Linebacker Orlando Sheets (Sr./Oklahoma City, Okla.) is in his fifth year at Emporia State.
AS A SENIOR-He has played in all nine games. He had a season high three tackles including a tackle of a three yard loss at Northwest Missouri.
AS A JUNIOR-He had a pass break up against Northeastern State. He had seven tackles against Central Missouri. He was credited with a solo and assisted tackle at Missouri Southern, both behind the line of scrimmage. He had six tackles and a fumble recovery against Neb.-Kearney. He recorded five tackles and had a solo sack  that led to a punt at Northwest Missouri.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He played in ten games as a sophomore in 2016 for the Hornets.  
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a Class 5A Oklahoma All-Star Team linebacker for Del City HS. He had 78 tackles including six sacks and four forced fumbles as a senior.

IMMANUEL CAN
Linebacker Manny Cason (Sr./Junction City, Kan.) is in his fifth year with the Hornets.
AS A SENIOR-He started and had two solo tackles at Northwest Missouri. He had two unassisted tackles at Northeastern State.
AS A JUNIOR-He was credited with a solo tackle and a quarterback hurry against Central Missouri. He had a solo tackle at Missouri Southern. He had two tackles at Northwest Missouri.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He played in ten games as a sophomore in 2016 and was a key contributor on special teams.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was an All-Class 6A performer for Junction City HS as a senior. His younger brother Xavier is an offensive lineman for Emporia State.

DAWSON'S CREEK
Linebacker Dawson Hammes (RS-Fr./Rossville, Kan.) is in his second year with the Hornets after redshirting last season.
AS A FRESHMAN-He has played in all seven games this season. He had two stops against Missouri Western. He had two solo tackles against Ft. Hays State. He was credited with a solo tackle at Northwest Missouri.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was an All-State and Top 33 selection in the state of Kansas. He earned first-team All-Mid-East League with 172 tackles, with six sacks and three pass deflections as a senior. He was a three-time state champ at Rossville HS playing for his father, former Hornet Derick Hammes.

CLOSE THE GATE
Safety Roscoe Gatewood III (Jr./Midwest City, Okla.) is in his fourth year at Emporia State. He injured his knee in the first half at Central Missouri and is out for this week.
AS A JUNIOR-He had nine tackles against Ft. Hays State. He recorded five stops at Northwest Missouri. He was credited with four solo tackles and a pass break up against Lindenwood. He had seven tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He had a career high ten tackles including an assisted TFL against Pittsburg State.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He had a career high six tackles and a pass break up against Missouri Western. He recorded five tackles with a solo tackle for loss of six yards at Ft. Hays State in his first career start. He had three solo tackles against Pittsburg State. He forced a fumble at Lindenwood. He had two tackles and a pass break up against Northeastern State. He recorded four tackles at Missouri Southern. He had three tackles, two of them solo, at Northwest Missouri.
AS A FRESHMAN-He moved into the post season roster as a red-shirt freshman in 2016. He had one tackle at Washburn. He was credited with one tackle at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-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.

AIR JORDAN
Safety Jordan Wallace (So./Denton, Texas) is in his first year with the Hornets after transferring from Coffeyville CC.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He recorded a career high six tackles with a pass break up at Washburn. He matched his previous career high with five tackles against Missouri Western. He was credited with five tackles against Lindenwood. He recorded a career high five tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He had four tackles and returned an interception 35 yards against Pittsburg State. He had two solo tackles at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL/CC-He had 21 tackles and two pass break ups for the Red Ravens last year. He originally Signed with Iowa State out of high school. He was ranked as a Three Star Recruit, and listed in the top 100 in the state of Texas. He was a First-Team All-District at Guyer HS. He had 76 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception as a senior.

SAVAGES
Safety Cody Savage (Sr./Canton, Kan.) is in his second year with Emporia State.
AS A SENIOR-He was in position to block the potential game winning field goal attempt by Washburn had Justin Brown not gotten the block. He had two tackles at Northwest Missouri. He played at cornerback at Neb.-Kearney and finished with two tackles and a pass break up.
AS A JUNIOR-He was credited with half a tackle for loss against Missouri Western last year. He had six tackles and an interception he returned 13 yards at Ft. Hays State. He had four tackles including one for a nine yard loss against Pittsburg State. He recorded three tackles at Lindenwood. He had an interception return of 20 yards and was credited with one tackle and a pass break up against Northeastern State. He recorded a solo tackle at Central Oklahoma.
IN HIGH SCHOOL/CC-He transferred to Emporia State from Kansas State. He played one season at receiver for Hutchinson CC and caught three passes for 89 yards. He was a two-year starting quarterback for Canton-Galva HS and earned honorable mention all-state honors.

THE BIRD
Safety Trey Morris (Fr.-RS/Cushing, Okla.) is in his second year at Emporia State.
AS A FRESHMAN-He had a career high five tackles at Northwest Missouri. He had a tackle and returned a kick-off 46 yards against Lindenwood.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He earned All-District, all-area, and all-state honors at Cushing HS. He had 35 catches for 873 yards and 15 touchdowns and carried the ball 36 times for 365 yards.

iSPY
Cornerback Kyle Rinck (So./Independence, Kan.) is in his third year with the Hornets. He is ranked second in the MIAA and 22nd in the nation with 12 passes defended.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He broke up three passes and had seven tackles at Washburn. He had four tackles, one tackle for loss, a pass break up and a blocked PAT against Missouri Western. He matched his career high with eight tackles and had two pass break ups at Central Missouri. He had a career high eight tackles, three pass break ups and recovered a fumble against Ft. Hays State. He had three tackles, including one for a loss at Northwest Missouri. He had five tackles, four of them unassisted, against Lindenwood. He had two tackles and a pass break up at Neb.-Kearney. He had a tackle and two pass break ups in his first career start against Pittsburg State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was an honorable mention all-state performer for Independence HS.

JUMP IN THE POOL
Cornerback Jaedon Pool (Fr./Midwest City, Okla.) is in his first season with the Hornets.
AS A FRESHMAN-He had a solo tackle and a pass break up at Washburn. He had two tackles and a pass break up at Northwest Missouri. He two tackles and two pass break ups against Lindenwood. He had a pair of tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He was credited with five solo tackles and a pass break up against Pittsburg State. He had two solo tackles and a fumble recovery in his first game as a Hornet at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a First-Team All-District pick on defense for Carl Albert HS. He had 75 tackles, five Sacks and an Interception on defense while catching 22 passes for 335 yards and four touchdowns. He was part of back-to-back State Championship teams in football in 2016 and 2017 and was a part of the 2017 Track & Field State Championship team.  

CHI-TOWN
Cornerback Jawil Aldridge (Jr./Chicago, Ill.) is in his first year with the Hornets after transferring from Butler CC.
AS A JUNIOR-He had a career high eight tackles with two behind the line of scrimmage at Washburn. He was credited with five tackles at Central Missouri. He recorded four tackles against Lindenwood. He had two solo tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He had a tackle, a fumble recovery and two pass break ups at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL/CC-He had 29 tackles for Butler CC as a sophomore last season. He redshirted at Illinois State in 2015. He recorded 78 tackles and picked off four passes, while causing two fumbles at Marist HS. He led Marist to the semifinals of the IHSA state playoffs.

CHANGE UP
Cornerback Brent Davenport (Sr./Dallas, Texas) is in his fifth year with the Hornets but just his second on the defensive side of the ball.
AS A SENIOR-He had three solo tackles against Missouri Western. He was credited with a career high seven tackles at Central Missouri. He recorded two tackles and two pass break ups against Pittsburg State. He had a pair of tackles at Northeastern State.
AS A JUNIOR-He had two tackles against Missouri Western last year. He had four tackles at Ft. Hays State.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He had a 36 yard reception at Northeastern State. He recorded a solo tackle at Washburn.
IN HIS CAREER-He came to Emporia State as a quarterback and has played wide receiver for two years before moving to defense.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He threw for over 2,100 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior for Lakeview Central (Texas) HS with 287 rushing yards and five scores. In just six games as a senior he had 1,600 yards and ten touchdown passes with 400 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.  

GOLD FINGER
Cornerback Asher Goldston (Sr./Lenexa, Kan.) is in his second year with the Hornets after transferring from Hutchinson CC. He intercepted a two-point conversion attempt at Central Missouri.
AS A JUNIOR-He recorded six solo tackles with a fumble recovery against Washburn last season. He had four solo tackles against Missouri Western. He recorded five tackles and a pass break up at Ft. Hays State. He had seven tackles against Pittsburg State. He had five tackles and two pass break ups at Central Oklahoma.
IN HIGH SCHOOL/CC-He Had 51 tackles with four interceptions and a touchdown for Hutchinson CC. He was an All-Sunflower League kick returner for Shawnee Mission West HS.

CAPTAINS
This year's team captains are quarterback Braxton Marstall, running back Landon Nault, receiver Justin Brown, linebacker Gary Woods II, linebacker Jayce McDown, and defensive back Roscoe Gatewood.

HEAD COACH GARIN HIGGINS
Former Hornet Garin Higgins is in his 12th season at his alma mater having transformed Hornet football into a national power. He has a 126-70 record in his 17 years as a head coach and 75-61 in his 12th season at Emporia State. His 75 wins are the second most in Emporia State history behind Fan Welch's 115 from 1928-54. He has built the Hornets the right way during his 12 seasons and orchestrated one of the great turnarounds in Emporia State history. The Hornets have gone 56-25 over the last seven 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 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 in 2015 while winning seven more games than in 2014. 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 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 and was one win away in 2017. He is one of six Hornet coaches to win at least five games in four straight years.
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.  While at Northwestern Oklahoma State, 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.
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.

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 content is available live and is immediately archived for on-demand viewing after each event.  Fans can find 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, Reid Buckingham and Tagan Trahoon on the call. KFFX is in their 31st 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 that 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. The Hornets are third behind Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri for the most appearances on live television over the last eight 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.

THE POLLS SAY
The MIAA has one team ranked in the top 25 in this week's AFCA National Poll with three more receiving votes. There are three conference teams in the D2Football.com national poll. The Hornets have been ranked in the AFCA Poll during the regular season for six straight years. Emporia State is 8-10 against teams ranked in the AFCA Top 25 over the last four years, with an 8-3 record against teams other than Northwest Missouri.

BEST IN THE STATE  
Emporia State was named the Best College Football Team in the state of Kansas over the period of 2012-16 by HeroSports. The survey took winning percentage, playoff appearances, conference championships, bowl games and national player and coach of the year awards.  The Hornets have a .738 winning percentage and three playoff appearances, highlighted by a Regional Championship game in 2015. ESU has finished second in the MIAA in four of the last six years to Northwest Missouri, the top team in Missouri, however only conference championships count in the Hero Sports scoring.

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 played in exhibition games with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Chargers over the past two seasons after winning a Grey Cup with the Ottawa Redblacks in the CFL in 2016. Adam Schiltz saw action in exhibition games with the Chiefs in 2015 while Austin Willis played in exhibition action for the Buffalo Bills in 2016. 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.

A Hornet win would...
•make Emporia State 6-4 overall, 6-4 in the MIAA;
•guarantee Emporia State a winning record for the fourth straight year;
•be the first time Emporia State has had four straight winning seasons as an NCAA member;
•make Emporia State 22-22 all-time against Missouri Southern;
•be Emporia State's seventh straight win against Missouri Southern;
•make Coach Higgins 76-61 at Emporia State and 127-70 overall.

A Hornet loss would...
•make Emporia State 5-5 overall, 5-5 in the MIAA;
•make Emporia State 21-23 all-time against Missouri Southern;
•snap a six game Emporia State winning streak against Missouri Southern;
•make Coach Higgins 75-62 at Emporia State and 126-71 overall.

WORKING OVERTIME
• The Hornets are 6-8 in overtime games with wins in six of their last eight after dropping their first four extra period contests.
• Emporia State is 4-1 in overtime games under Garin Higgins with wins in the last four 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 has twice overcome a 17 point deficit at the half for a win in MIAA play. Most recently they trailed 17-0 at Neb.-Kearney before rallying for a 20-17 win in week three this year. The first was against Missouri Southern in 2011 when the Hornets trailed 17-0 and eventually won 31-24 in Welch Stadium.
• 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.