EMPORIA STATE FOOTBALL ROLLS TO 51-14 WIN OVER NORTHEASTERN STATE

September 5, 2019-The new look Emporia State offense rolled up 570 yards of offense on the way to a 51-14 season opening win over Northeastern State. It is the most points scored in a season opener by the Hornets since a 53-28 win over Missouri Southern on September 4, 2014.
 
The Hornet defense, which returned 13 of their top 15 tacklers from a year ago, produced three and outs or turnovers on every RiverHawk possession of the first half. Northeastern State did not cross into Emporia State territory until their final possession of the third quarter.
 
The offense, which had to replace the MIAA's leading rusher, passer and touchdown receiver from last year, scored on their first five possessions to take a 27-0 lead with 12:24 left in the first half.  The Hornets led 30-0 at the half as sophomore Clark Schoonover hit three field goals, one more than Emporia State had as a team all last season.
 
Sophomore Dalton Cowan made the most of his first start as threw for 261 yards and three touchdown along with 88 rushing yards on nine carries. He had touchdown passes of 74, 47 and 32 yards for the Hornets. Red-shirt freshman Dexton Swinehart had five catches for 112 yards and a touchdown while sophomore Corey Thomas had seven receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown.  Sophomore Cole Schumacher and senior Seth Surface had the other touchdown grabs.  Braden Gleason was five for seven for 39 yards and touchdown through the air as well as Emporia State finished with an even 300 yards passing.
 
Seven Hornets averaged over 3.3 yards per carry as Emporia State had 270 rushing yards on the night.  Red-shirt freshman Calvin Boyce had 50 yards on nine carries with a three yard touchdown. Graduate student Kai Callins had 37 yards on a team high 11 carries while junior transfer Carlos Grace added 34 yards on eight carries.
 
Defensively Emporia State held Northeastern State to just 213 total yards and forced three turnovers.  Senior Lawson Holbert had two interceptions while sophomore Kelin Gordon picked off a pass in the endzone to end the RiverHawks first scoring threat. Junior Jace McDown led Emporia State with six tackles. Junior transfer Gee Stanley had three tackles for loss.
 
The Hornets will now take their show on the road as they travel to Pittsburg State next weekend.  Kick-off from Carnie Smith Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 14 in Pittsburg, Kan.