EMPORIA STATE FOOTBALL ROLLS TO 44-27 WIN OVER CENTRAL MISSOURI

October 8, 2022-Emporia State rolled up 563 yards of total offense and scored over 40 points for the second straight week in a 44-27 win over Central Missouri on Saturday afternoon on Jones Field at Welch Stadium.

The Hornets got a 64 yard kick return by Zion Jones to open the game but had to settle for the first of three Caden Dodson field goals to take a 3-0 lead with 12:57 left in the first quarter.  Emporia State went up 10-0 on a five yard touchdown run by Billy Ross Jr. with 6:25 left in the quarter that capped an 11 play, 65 yard drive.  On the ensuing Mule drive ESU forced the first of two turnovers when Derrick Maxwell stripped the ball and Declan Haub jumped on it with 4:09 left in the quarter. Six plays later Braden Gleason connected with Tyler Kahmann on a four yard touchdown pass to make it 17-0 with 1:58 left in the opening period.
 
The Mules got on the board on their first possession of the second quarter when Marcellous Hawkins scored on a one yard dive to make it 17-7 with 12:44 left in the half.  The teams traded punts until Emporia State took over at their own 17 with 1:23 left in the half.  Gleason went six of eight for 85 yards capped by a 30 yard pass that Kahmann juggled in the endzone before hauling it in on the last play of the half.  Dodson's PAT gave Emporia State a 24-7 lead at the break.
 
Gleason scrambled in from nine yards out with 8:42 left in the third quarter to put Emporia State up 31-7.  Jack Pospisil caught the ensuing kickoff at his own four yard line and found a seam down the right sideline for a 94 yard touchdown to pull the Mules within 31-14.   The Hornets answered with a 12 play, 51 yard drive capped by Dodson's second field goal of the game, this one from 31 yards to take a 34-14 lead with 4:36 left in the third.
 
Emporia State forced a three and out on the next possession and would go 62 yards in four plays with Corey Thomas grabbing a 45 yard touchdown pass from Gleason with 2:08 left to give the Hornets a 41-14 lead.
 
Cedric Case would hook up with Malik Clayborn on a 26 yard touchdown pass on the second play of the fourth quarter.  CJ Adams blocked the PAT attempt and the Hornets led 41-20 with 14:48 left in the game.  Emporia State answered with a 15 play, 55 yard drive that ate up 6:10 off the clock before Dodson hit his third field goal of the game, this one from 34 yards out to go up 44-20 with 8:38 left.  on the next play from scrimmage Maxwell forced his second fumble of the game and the Hornets recovered at the UCM 31 yard line. 
 
Emporia State ate up another 4:25 off the clock before sending Dodson out for his fourth field goal attempt of the game, and his career.  He missed ti wide left to give the ball back to the Mules at their own 20.  They would eventually score on a 32 yard pass from Case to Arkell Smith with 1:26 left for the final score.
 
Braden Gleason went 32 of 44 for 317 yards with three touchdowns and added 34 yards and a touchdown on five rushes.  Tyler Kahann had ten catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns while Corey Thomas caught six passes for 111 yards and a score.  Canaan Brooks had 134 yards on 17 carries.  It was the first time in the Garin Higgins era that the Hornets had two receivers over 100 yards receiving and a running back with over 100 yards rushing in the same game.
 
Dawson Hammes was credited with a team high seven tackles and a pass break up while Derrick Maxwell had four tackles and two forced fumbles.
 
The Hornets will be back in action on Saturday, October 15 when they travel to Neb.-Kearney.  Kickoff in Kearney, Neb. is set for 1:00 p.m.