October 22, 2022-Playing on the road Emporia State had to come from behind twice to defeat Missouri Southern 24-21 on Saturday afternoon in Joplin, Mo. With the win the Hornets improve to 6-2 on the season and remain in second place in the MIAA.
With steady winds between 25-30 mph and gusts up to 35 the first half was all about field position. The Hornets went three and out on their first possession and the Lions responded with a nine play, 55 yard drive that ate up 4:53 off the clock. Dwayne Lawson capped the drive with a one yard touchdown to go up 7-0 with 8:34 left in the first quarter.
The teams traded punts before the Hornets took over at their own 20 with 2:55 left in the quarter. Their ensuing drive went into the second quarter before
Caden Dodson hit a 22 yard field goal with 14:17 left in the second quarter. Southern would then go on an 18 play, 75 yard drive that took 12:02 off the clock. Luke Sampson would hit Ezekiel Lang in the back of the end zone for a 21 yard touchdown pass with 2:15 left in the half. ESU challenged the call and it was upheld as the Lions took a 14-3 lead.
Braden Gleason hit three straight passes of at least 15 yards to get the Hornets down to the three yard line. After a rush for no gain by
Billy Ross Jr, Gleason connected with
Tyler Kahmann in the back of the end zone with 43 seconds left to pull the Hornets within 14-10 at the half.
The two teams traded three and outs to start the second half before the Hornets took over with 10:13 left in the third at their own 20 yard line. Emporia State would go the length of the field in 12 plays capped by a three yard touchdown pass from Gleason to
Jaylen Varner to give the Hornets a 17-14 lead with 5:46 left in the quarter. The Lions responded with a nine play, 55 yard drive of their own with Nathan Glades scoring from two yards out with 48 seconds left in the quarter to put MSSU up 21-17.
The fourth quarter started with Emporia State driving to the Southern 36 yard line before Gleason was stopped short on a fourth and five play. The Hornet defense forced a three and out to get the ball back. The offense stalled at midfield leading to a
Ross Brungardt punt of 39 yards that was faircaught at the 12 yard line. On third and 12 from the Lion ten yard line Dawson Herl was sacked by the Hornets
Rylan Miller for a loss of two back to the eight yard line. Nick Williams punt got caught in the wind and only travelled six yards as the Hornets set up at the 14 yard line with 7:37 left in the game.
Gleason hit
Cole Schumacher for 11 yards down to give ESU first and goal at the two. After a rush was held to no gain, Gleason connected with Varner for a second time as the Hornets took a 24-21 lead with 6:17 left. On the next possession MSSU elected to punt facing fourth and nine at their own 37 with 3:29 left. This time Williams got off a line drive that rolled to the Hornet 11 yard line. Emporia State ran the ball, forcing the Lions to use their remaining timeouts. Facing fourth and two from their own 31 with 21 seconds left Brungardt let go with a 69 yard punt to flip the field as the Lions took over at their own 20 with 12 seconds left. Southern gained 36 yards on two plays before time ran out and the Hornets secured their fourth straight win.
Braden Gleason was 24 of 31 for 211 yards with three touchdowns and added 25 rushing yards on four carries.
Corey Thomas had seven catches for 57 yards while
Jaylen Varner had six receptions for 33 yards and two touchdowns.
Canaan Brooks had 60 yards on 20 carries. Defensively
Jaedon Pool and
Dawson Hammes each had ten tackles with Hammes credited with two quarterback hurries.
The Hornets will be back in action on Saturday, October 29 for a Homecoming contest against Fort Hays State. Kickoff from Jones Field at Welch Stadium is set for 2:00 p.m.
NOTES
Braden Gleason had 236 yards of total offense to pass Brian Shay (6,958 yards from 1995-98) for fourth on the Emporia State career total offense list.
