HORNET FOOTBALL FALLS AT PITTSBURG STATE

September 14, 2019-Emporia State overcame a 16 point third quarter deficit to tie the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter but #23 Pittsburg State scored 24 fourth quarter points, 17 of which came off Hornet turnovers and a missed field goal, on the way to a 47-23 victory in Pittsburg, Kan.
 
The Hornets dominated the first quarter, holding the ball for 11:17 and outgaining the Gorillas 104-9, but only had a 7-0 lead.  Emporia State held the ball for the first 8:22 but missed a 40 yard field goal with 6:38 left.  On the ensuing possession Cade Harelson forced a fumble and Jackson Maase recovered it to set the Hornets up at the Pitt State 30 yard line.  Three plays later Dalton Cowan found JT Mackey for a nine yard touchdown to give the Hornets a 7-0 lead with 3:14 left in the quarter.
 
The Gorillas got on the board with 7:06 left in the half on a 47 yard field goal by Jared Vincent that capped a nine play, 42 yard drive.  After the Hornets were forced to punt Mak Sexton came on at quarterback for the Gorillas and went seven for eight for 38 yards in a 14 play, 79 yard drive to give Pitt State a 10-7 lead.  Tucker Horak scored on a one yard run with 1:29 left in the half following a pass interference call on the Hornets.  Emporia State ran six plays but Cowan came up a yard short on a fourth down run with 25 seconds left to give the ball back to Pitt State with 25 seconds left. Sexton went three of four for 37 yards to set up a 30 yard field goal from Vincent that gave the Gorillas a 13-7 lead at the half.
 
The teams traded three and outs to start the second half and Vincent hit his third field goal of the game with 9:22 left in the quarter to put the Gorillas up 16-7. Cowan was intercepted on the next drive and Kiante Hardin returned it to the Hornet four yard line.  Two plays later Horak scored on another one yard run to put the Gorillas up 23-7 with 7:40 left in the third quarter.  The teams again traded three and outs and Emporia State set up on their own 29 yard line with 4:56 left in the quarter.  Twelve seconds later it was 23-15 after Carlos Grace broke through for a 71 yard touchdown run followed by a two point conversion pass from Cowan to Andre Thomas-Cobb.  The Hornet defense forced another three and out and got the ball at their own 14 yard line 2:56 left in the quarter.
 
The Hornets then marched 86 yards in eight plays with Cowan going three of four passing for 81 yards during the drive. Cowan capped the drive with a five yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter and again found Thomas-Cobb for the two-point conversion to tie the game at 23 with 14:55 left.
 
Pitt State answered with a six play, 64 yard drive and went up 30-23 with 13:24 left on a two yard run by Tyler Adkins.  The Hornets then drove 53 yards down to the Gorilla 13 but Clark Schoonover's field goal attempt from 30 yards hit the right upright with 9:44 left.   Sexton then went four for four for 54 yards during an eight play, 80 yard drive as the Gorillas went up 37-23 on a four yard touchdown run by Tyler Adkins with 6:51 remaining.
On the next series Cowan was sacked on first down and then threw his second interception as Morgan Selemaea returned it 25 yards to the Hornet 23 yard line. The Emporia State defense held the Gorillas to five yards and Vincent hit his fourth field goal of the game to put Pitt State up 40-23 with 4:26 left.  On the next possession Grace gained ten yards on first down before Cowan was intercepted by Hardin for the second time in the game. This time he returned it 45 yards for a pick six to make it 47-23 and seal the win.
 
Carlos Grace led Emporia State with 16 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown.  Dalton Cowan was 19 of 33 for 174 yards and a touchdown through the air with three interceptions.  Cole Schumacher was the top target with four receptions for 60 yards.
 
Jace McDown led Emporia State with a game high 14 tackles, including two for a loss and a pass break up.
 
The Hornets return to Jones Field at Welch Stadium next weekend to take on Neb.-Kearney.  Kick-off for the Family Day contest is set for 2:00 p.m.