HORNET COMEBACK COMES UP SHORT IN 38-37 LOSS AT MISSOURI WESTERN

September 18, 2021-Emporia State built a 28-7 lead at the half only to see Missouri Western take a fourth quarter lead before the Hornets two point conversion was ruled short with 1:29 left gave the Griffons a 38-37 victory on Saturday night in St. Joseph, Mo.
 
The Hornets got in front on a 52 yard punt return with 8:12 left in the first quarter.  The Griffons came right back with a 42 yard scoring  strike from Anthony Vespo to Brandon Hall on their first play from scrimmage following the return to tie it up.  After the teams traded punts Emporia State went on a four play, 80 yard drive capped by a six yard touchdown pass from Braden Gleason to Tommy Zimmerman with 3:06 left in the quarter.  The big play of the drive was a 72 yard pass from Gleason to Jaylen Varner for 72 yards down to the six yard line as Emporia State took a 14-7 lead into the second quarter.
 
The second quarter started with Emporia State holding on fourth down when Cade Harelson got a tackle for loss at midfield.  The Hornets responded with a seven play drive that ended with Gleason finding Zimmerman again, this time from 17 yards out as Emporia State took a 21-7 lead with 11:32 left in the half. 
 
The Hornet defense got another three and out on the ensuing possession and Emporia State took over at their own 45 yard line. On first down Gleason found Dexton Swinehart for 36 yards down to the Griffon 19 yard line.  Four plays later Calvin Boyce bulled his way into the endzone and Emporia State took a 28-7 lead with 8:03 remaining in the period. Neither team scored the rest of the half with Missouri Western missing a 35 yard field goal with two seconds left in the half.
 
The Griffons received the ball to start the second half and went 82 yards on eight plays, capped by a 45 yard touchdown from Vespo to Traveon James on third down.  The teams again traded three and outs until Gee Stanley intercepted a ball that was tipped by Jace McDown with 6:33 left to set the Hornets up at the Griffon ten yard line.  Sam Dobbins converted a 30 yard field goal to push Emporia State's lead back to 17 points at 31-14. On the next drive Vespo went three for three capped by a 16 yard touchdown pass to James.  The PAT missed wide right as the Hornets led 31-20 with 3:12 left in the third.
 
The fourth quarter saw the Griffons score 18 points in a 2:35 span.  It started with a 42 yard touchdown run by Hall on third down and he then caught the two point conversion to make it 31-28 with 10:32 left.  A bad snap from center on the Hornets first play on the next possession resulted in a safety as MWSU pulled to within 31-30 with 10:17 left.  The Griffons returned the free kick 33 yards to midfield and five plays later Shen Butler Lawson scored from a yard out and Cooper Burton caught the two point conversion to give Missouri Western a 38-31 lead with 7:57 left.
 
Emporia State was forced to punt with five minutes left and the defense responded with a three and out to give the ball back to the offense with 3:27 left.  Gleason went five of seven for 47 yards and added a 14 yard rush on the ensuing drive.  He found Ross for a three yard touchdown with 1:29 left to pull the Hornets within 38-37.  Emporia State elected to go for two and the win.  Gleason connected with Ross but his knee was ruled down before he hit the pylon as Western held onto the one point lead.
 
The defense forced another three and out and Emporia State got the ball back with 22 seconds left.  After a first down rush lost seven yards, Gleason completed passes to Ross and Kai Lemons before time expired.
 
Braden Gleason finished the game 28 of 43 for 289 yards and three touchdowns while adding 32 yards on five carries.  He gave up his first interception on pass that was bobbled at reception. Billy Ross Jr. had 170 all-purpose yards with 69 yards on 22 carries, seven receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown, and two punt returns for 52 yards.  Tommy Zimmerman caught two touchdown passes for a total of 23 yards while Jaylen Varner had two catches for 80 yards and Dexton Swinehart pulled in four passes for 60 yards.
 
Defensively Cadee Harelson was credited with 15 tackles including three tackles for loss and a sack.  Dawson Hammes, Jace McDown and Gee Stanley each recorded eight tackles.
 
Emporia State will be back on the road next weekend when they travel to Pittsburg State.  Kickoff from Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg, Kan. is set for 7:00 p.m.