EMPORIA STATE FOOTBALL ENDS SEASON WITH 34-14 WIN OVER CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

November 16, 2019-Emporia State sent their 17 seniors out in resounding fashion with a 34-14 win over Central Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon at Jones Field at Welch Stadium.
 
The Hornets came out in a unique formation with senior offensive lineman Austin Unterreiner lined up in the backfield and Pat Briningstool getting his first start of the year at quarterback.  Emporia State would gain 12 yards on the first two plays before Braden Gleason came in at quarterback.  Gleason would lead the Hornets down to the two yard line when Dalton Cowan came in at QB and ran it in from two yards out for 7-0 Hornet lead with 9:59 left in the first quarter.  Emporia State used three different quarterbacks on the 12 play, 75 yard drive.
 
On the Bronchos possession Lawson Holbert picked off his league leading sixth interception of the year to set Emporia State up at the UCO 43 yard line.  Ten plays later Clark Schoonover hit a 23 yard field goal to give the Hornets a 10-0 lead with 4:43 left in the quarter.  A Gleason pass was deflected and intercepted by Dylan Buchheit with 2:26 left in the first.  Three plays into the second TJ Roberts scored from a yard out to pull the Bronchos within 10-7 with 13:36 left in the half. 
 
Emporia State got the ball back with 4:44 left in the half and ate up 4:38 of the half before Gleason hit Cole Schumacher for a 23 yard touchdown pass and a 17-7 lead with six seconds left in the half.
 
Central Oklahoma got the ball to start the second half and it looked like they would go three and out when Brandon George's arm was hit as he was throwing and the ball popped up in the air, but it came down in Josh Moore's arms 20 yard down field for a first down.  UCO would take advantage of the break and would eventually score on a ten yard pass from George to Dustin Basks with 10:57 left in the third to pull within 17-14.  That would be the only score of the third quarter as Emporia State took a three point lead into the fourth.
 
The Hornets would go 70 yards in six plays on their first drive of the fourth quarter capped by a 37 yard pass from Gleason to Wil Amos as they took a 24-14 lead with 11:57 to go.  On the ensuing possession Gee Stanley forced and recovered a fumble by George at the UCO 46 yard line to put the Hornets back on offense.  Emporia State settled for a 29 yard field goal from Schoonover to take a 27-14 lead with 4:39 left.
 
On the next possession Holbert picked off another pass to give him seven for the year but the Hornets would end up punting back to the Bronchos with 3:18 left in the game. On first down from their own 17 George was sacked by Stanley and Tre'vaun Ammons recovered it in the endzone to give Emporia State a 34-14 lead with 3:07 left. 
 
The Hornet defense held UCO on downs on their next possession and Briningstool came in to run two plays in victory formation as the Hornets secured the 34-14 win.
 
Carlos Grace had 108 yards on 24 carries.  Gleason was 17 of 27 for 160 yards and two touchdowns .  Schumacher had six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown while Amos had three catches for 50 yards and a touchdown.   Holbert had four tackles to go with his two interceptions.  Stanley forcedtwo fumbles, recovered one, had a sack and five total tackles.  Jace McDown and Montrell Wilson shared team high honors with six stops each.
 
Emporia State ended the season on a two game winning streak and are set to return eight starters on offense and seven starters on defense next year.

NOTES
Lawson Holbert's seven interceptions this year tie him with Kole Schankie for fourth on the Emporia State single season list.
Clark Schoonover's 14 made field goals this year tie him with Austin Morton for fourth on the Emporia State single season list.