HORNETS WIN TURNPIKE TUSSLE 42-35 AT WASHBURN

October 1, 2022-Emporia State built what proved to be an insurmountable lead of 42-14 early in the fourth quarter and then were able to run out the final 1:54 in a 42-35 win at Washburn on Saturday evening.
 
The Hornets took the opening kickoff and drove to the Ichabod 28 yard line before a third down sack ended the drive.  Emporia State forced a three and out on Washburn's first possession and then went 78 yards in 11 plays to take a 7-0 lead on a Braden Gleason seven yard pass to Tommy Zimmerman with 7:21 left in the first quarter.
 
The teams traded punts until the Hornets put together a nine play, 82 yard drive capped by a 16 yard pass from Gleason to Tyler Kahmann with 6:16 left in the half.  The Ichabods responded with their first long drive of the game, going 75 yards in 14 plays and cut the lead to 14-7 on a one yard quarterback sneak by Kellen Simoncic with 1:06 left in the half.
 
To open the second half the Ichabods Collin Wilson fumbled Sam Dobbins kick off and was tackled at the Washburn three yard line.  The Hornets forced a three and out and then took advantage of the short field for a 31 yard touchdown drive.  Billy Ross Jr made it 21-7 with 11:46 left in the third quarter. 
 
Emporia State forced another three and out and took over at their own 24 yard line.  Gleason found Jaylen Varner in the corner of the end zone from 17 yards out with 7:00 left to give the Hornets a 28-7 lead.  Washburn converted the longest play of the year against the Hornet defense on the next possession as Simoncic hit Peter Afful for a 77 yard touchdown with 6:07 left in the third to make it 28-14.
 
The Hornets responded with an 11 play, 75 yard drive that saw Canaan Brooks score from 15 yards out on a fourth and one play to give Emporia State a 35-14 lead with 1:12 left in the third quarter.
 
On the first play of the fourth quarter Cade Harelson picked off Simoncic at the Washburn 28 yard line. Four plays later Corey Thomas hauled in a 28 yard pass to give Gleason his fourth touchdown of the game and Emporia State a 42-14 lead with 13:16 left. 
 
The Ichabods would score the final 21 points but ate up 7:10 of the next 11:10 in the process.   Washburn scored on a 17 yard pass from Simoncic with 10:43 left to make it 42-21.  The Hornets used 3:37 on a five play 13 yard drive before Ross Brungardt pinned the Ichabods at their own six following a 39 yard punt.  Washburn used 12 plays and 4:01 off the clock before scoring on a 12 yard pass from Simoncic to Wilson with 3:05 left to pull within 42-28. 
The Hornets forced Washburn to burn all three of their timeouts on the next possession before having to punt again with 2:37 left in the game.  The Ichabods went 50 yards on four plays before Simoncic hit JJ Letcher for eight yards with 1:54 left to make it a one possession game.
 
Jaedon Pool recovered the onside kick for the Hornets and they were able to kneel down to run out the clock as they won their second straight Turnpike Tussle.
 
Braden Gleason went 27 of 39 for 300 yards with four touchdowns while adding 22 rushing yards on six carries and one reception for nine yards. Jaylen Varner was his favorite of ten receivers, grabbing six for 78 yards and a touchdown.  Canaan Brooks had 92 yards on 20 carries with a touchdown while Billy Ross Jr added 54 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
 
Dawson Hammes led Emporia State with eight tackles while Jaedon Pool had seven stops and Cade Harelson had six solo stops with an interception.
 
The Hornets are back in Welch Stadium next week when they play host to Central Missouri.  Kick-off from Jones Field at Welch Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m.
 
NOTES:
Gleason now has 48 career touchdown passes to rank fourth on the Emporia State career list.