EMPORIA STATE FOOTBALL ROLLS TO 42-17 WIN OVER NORTHEASTERN STATE

September 1, 2022-Emporia State rolled up 451 yards of total offense on the way to a 42-17 season opening win over Northeastern State on Thursday night at Welch Stadium.

The Hornets jumped out to a 14-0 midway through the first quarter thanks to a eight yard touchdown run by Canaan Brroks and a six yard touchdown pass from Braden Gleason to Tyler Kahmann. 

The RiverHawks finally got on the board with 13:04 left in the half on a pass from Jacob Frazier to DaShawn Williams. Emporia State responded with a six play, 66 yard drive capped by a one yard run by Gleason to go up 21-7 with 11:16 left in the half. 

On the first play after a Northeastern State punt, Gleason could not control the snap from center cleanly and Blake Corn recovered the fumble for the RiverHawks at the Hornet 25 yard line.  Three plays later Frazier and Williams hooked up again, this time from 27 yards out to pull NSU within 21-14 with 7:08 left in the half.

With under a minute left Derrick Maxwell intercepted Frazier at the Hornet 43 yard line.  Gleason then took the Hornets 57 yards in 26 seconds to go up 28-14.  Cole Schumacher battled his way int on a 37 yard completion from Gleason for the touchdown with seven seconds left.

The only scoring in the third quarter was a 44 yard field goal by Tyler Crawford the pulled the RiverHawks within 28-17 with 1:12 left in the quarter. 

Emporia State put the game away with two scored to start the fourth quarter.  Gleason hit Jaylen Verner on a fade route in the corner from 14 yards out on the first play of the period to go up 35-17.  On the ensuing drive Khahlil Rasheed intercepted Frazier to give the ball back to the Hornets.  Six plays later Billy Ross Jr. scampered in from 35 yards out to put Emporia State up 42-17 with 10:29 left in the game.

The Hornet defense forced a three an out on the next drive and the offense went on a 12 play, 53 yard drive that although they didn't score on, took 5:45 off the clock and effectively ended the game.

Braden Gleason went 23 of 37 for 312 yards and three touchdowns while adding 22 yards and another score on the ground.  He connected with 11 different receivers on the night led by Tyler Kahmann with six catches for 94 yards and a touchdown.  Billy Ross Jr led the rushing attack with 59 yards on six carries while Canaan Brooks had 14 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively Jordan Williams had a game high ten tackles with three tackles for loss and a sack.  Derrick Maxwell recorded six tackles, three pass break ups and an interception while Khalil Rasheed added four tackles and an interception.

The Hornets are back in action next Thursday when they travel to Central Oklahoma.  Kick-off from Richison Stadium in Edmond, Okla. Is set for 7:00 p.m.