October 9, 2021-Despite six turnovers and 14 penalties Emporia State had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead with under two minutes left in a 45-38 loss at Central Missouri on Saturday afternoon. The two teams combined for 1,167 yards and 83 points on the day.
The Mules jumped out to a 14-0 lead with 9:20 left in the first quarter. They took the opening kick-off 75 yards to score on a 39 yard run by Koby Wilkerson with 14:03 left. The Hornets drove into UCM territory only to see
Canaan Brooks fumble at the Mule 43 yard line. Five plays later Logan Twehous scored from five yards out on a quarterback keeper to give UCM a 14-0 lead.
Emporia State would get on the board thanks to a one yard touchdown run by Brooks that capped a nine play, 64 yard drive to open the second quarter. Central Missouri answered back with a 41 yard touchdown pass from Twehous to Jared Bubak to take a 21-7 lead with 9:46 left in the half.
The Hornets came right back with a 12 play, 82 yard drive of their own with
Dalton Cowan scoring at the end of a 14 yard pass play from Gleason with 5:06 remaining in the half. ESU then forced a UCM punt and took over at their own ten yard line with 3:05 left in the half. Gleason started the Hornet drive with a 23 yard scramble and would go four for four for 59 before Brooks scored his second touchdown from three yards out and Emporia State went into the half tied at 21.
Emporia State had the ball to start the second half and drove to the Central Missouri 42 yard line when Duane Clayton intercepted a pass to end the drive. The Hornet defense was able to hold the Mules to a 38 yard field goal with 9:38 left as UCM took a 24-21 lead.
On the ensuing drive the Hornets went 71 yards in five plays capped by a 27 yard pass to
Kai Lemons with 7:51 left to take their first lead at 28-24. On the next play from scrimmage Twehous hooked up with Cameron Saunders for a 72 yard touchdown as UCM went back on top 31-28 with 7:32 left. On the next drive Gleason was sacked for a loss of seven back to the ESU 15 and the ball came loose before Chima Dunga recovered it and went into the end zone to give the Mules a 38-28 lead with 6:45 left in the third quarter.
On the next drive ESU got into UCM territory before Brooks fumbled at the Mule 31 yard line. The Hornet defense held and forced a Mule punt. Three straight completions from Gleason to three different receivers got ESU into UCM territory again. Gleason scrambled to the Mule 40 but Travis DeGrate forced another fumble to set UCM up at their own 40 yard line. The Mules converted a fourth down during their nine play, 60 yard drive before Twehous hit Arell Smith for a two yard touchdown to take their biggest lead of the game at 45-28 with 13:57 left in the game.
The Hornets drove to the UCM 22 before they stalled out and had to settle for a 39 yard field goal by
Sam Dobbins to pull within 45-31 with 11:32 left. Emporia State was able to force Central Missouri to turn the ball over on downs when
Montrell Wilson broke up a pass with 9:27 left. Onn the next drive Gleason was picked off by Aundra Gilbert who returned it 43yards down to the Hornet five yard line. On second and goal from the three
Jordan Williams forced Wilkerson into a fumble and
Jace McDown recovered it to give the Hornets life with 7:49 left.
The Hornets drove 89 yards in ten plays before Gleason scrambled in from nine yards out with 4:44 left to pull within 45-38. On the next drive
Arich Ansley picked off Twehous with 1:52 left to give the Hornets the ball with a chance to tie the game. After gaining a first down Gleason was intercepted for the second time, this time by Dylan Price at the UCM 30 yard line. The Hornets were able to get UCM into a third and 12 from their own 28 with just under a minute left. Twehous hit Saunders and his forward progress was awarded the 40 yard line for a first down.
Braden Gleason went 48 of 67 for 497 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 49 rushing yards on seven carries with a touchdown.
Wil Amos had nine receptions for 76 yards while
Dalton Cowan caught seven passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Kai Lemons had 47 yards on four receptions with a touchdown.
Canaan Brooks had 15 carries for 79 yards and two touchdowns along with five catches for 54 yards.
Emporia State finished the game with 672 yards on 101 plays while Central Missouri gained 495 yards on 66 plays.
After playing four of their first six games on the road, Emporia State will return to Jones Field at Welch Stadium on Saturday, October 16 to take on Neb.-Kearney. Kick-off is set for 1:00 p.m.
NOTES
Gleason's 48 completions breaks Brent Wilson's school record of 43 set against Lindenwood in 2015 and the MIAA record of 47 set by Evan Gray of Mo. S&T against MWSU in 2003.
Gleason's 67 pass attempts breaks Sean Ponder's school record of 66 set against Fort Hays State in 1995.
Gleason's 546 yards of total offense are second in the MIAA to Brent Wilson's 571 against Central Oklahoma in 2013.
Gleason's 497 passing yards are second at ESU to Brent Wilson's 522 set against Central Oklahoma in 2013 and third all-time in the MIAA.
Emporia State's 39 first downs breaks the school record of 38 set against MSSU in 2018.
