FAMILY DAY SEES EMPORIA STATE FOOTBALL PLAY HOST TO MISSOURI WESTERN

Football | 9/15/2022 10:30:00 AM

Game #3
Emporia State Hornets (1-1, 1-1 MIAA)
vs. Missouri Western Griffons (2-0, 2-0 MIAA)
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 • 1:00 p.m. • Jones Field at Welch Stadium • Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: MWSU leads 27-16 Current Streak: MWSU 3 Wins
Last Meeting: at MWSU 38, ESU 37 (Sept. 18, 2021)
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 12:00 p.m.
Internet (Audio): www.kvoe.com Internet (Video): themiaanetwork.com/esuhornets
Live Stats • Ticket Info • Game Day Central • Complete Notes in pdf
Officials: Announced on Game Day
Up Next: Pittsburg State
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 • 1:00 p.m. • Jones Field at Welch Stadium • Emporia, Kan.

IT'S A FAMILY THING
Emporia State plays host to Missouri Western on Family Day at Welch Stadium.

LAST TIME OUT
Emporia State outgained Central Oklahoma 468 yards to 346 but failed to convert on five fourth downs in a 21-13 loss to the Bronchos in Edmond, Okla. Braden Gleason scrambled in from six yards out to give the Hornets a 7-0 lead with 6:47 left in the first quarter.  Stephon Brown scored from three yards out with 11:46 left in the half to tie the game for the Bronchos.  Gleason hit Corey Thomas for a 79 yard TD but the PAT attempt missed left as Emporia State took a 13-7 lead with 10:40 left in the third quarter.  Brown hit Nasir Kemper for a touchdown to convert on fourth and three from the 13 to go up 14-13 with 11:10 left. Brown scored from 19 yards out to five UCO a 21-13 lead with 5:15 remaining. Gleason hit six of his next seven passes to put the Hornets in first and goal at the UCO ten yard line.  On fourth and goal from the five his pass to Cole Schumacher was incomplete to give the ball back to UCO with 2:18 left. The Hornet had the Bronchos at third and three with 2:08 left but Antonio Smith was able to gain five yards to get the first down. Gleason was 29 of 45 for 417 yards and a touchdown passing and rushing.  Ross had seven catches for 96 yards to go with eight rushes for 23 yards. Corey Thomas had two catches for 84 yards and a touchdown.  Declan Haub had a team high 11 tackles.

THE COACHES
Garin Higgins has a career record of 140-84 in his 20th season as a head coach. He is 89-75 in his 15th season at his alma mater and is 80-50 since the start of the 2010 season. He is the tenth winningest coach in MIAA history and ranks second among active coaches. He has led the Hornets to the post season in six of the last nine seasons with three NCAA Playoffs and a national semifinal appearance in 2015. He had a 51-9 career record as the head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma, including two trips to the national championship game. Higgins was a quarterback for Emporia State from 1987-90 and was on the 1989 national runners-up team. He is 5-9 against Missouri Western.
Matt Williamson is 28-20 in his fifth season at Mo. Western. He is 3-1 against Emporia State.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 1-1 on the season. The Hornets are leading the MIAA in passing yards while ranking third in total offense and fifth in scoring. Braden Gleason is leading the nation in total offense and is second in passing yards. They are leading the league in interceptions, rank third in scoring defense and fifth in total defense. Derrick Maxwell is leading the MIAA and ranked 12th in the nation in passes defended. Jordan Williams is third in the MIAA in tackles for loss.

SCOUTING THE GRIFFONS
Missouri Western is 2-0 on the season. Offensively the Griffons lead the MIAA in rushing offense, are third in scoring offense and fourth in total offense. Brandon Hall and Reagan Jones are ranked second and third in the MIAA in rushing. They lead the MIAA in total defense and scoring defense.

THE SERIES
This is the 44th meeting between the schools with Missouri Western holding a 27-16 advantage. It has been a series of streaks with the shortest winning streak by either team at three games.

LAST TIME VS. MISSOURI WESTERN
Emporia State built a 28-7 lead 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. ESU got in front on a 52 yard punt return by Billy Ross Jr. 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 to tie it up. ESU scored the next 21 points to lead 28-7 at the half. The Griffons scored 31 of the next 34 points to take a 38-31 lead with 7:57 remaining. The Hornets got the ball back with 3:27 left and went 64 yards in eight plays with Gleason finding Ross on a three yard touchdown with 1:29 left. Ross's knee was ruled down before he hit the pylon on the two point attempt. Braden Gleason finished the game 30 of 45 for 307 yards and three touchdowns.

UP NEXT
The Hornets return to Jones Field at Welch Stadium to play host to Pitt State on Saturday, September 24. Kick-off is set for 1:00 p.m.

KNOW THE FOE
This will be the 44th meeting between Emporia State and Missouri Western. The series has been one of streaks. Before 2018's loss the Hornets had won five contests after the Griffons had posted an eight game winning streak from 2005-12. Both schools had a pair of three game winning streaks from 1993-2004. Emporia State won five straight meetings between 1986 and 1992 after Missouri Western had captured the first ten contests from 1977-85.

FLIP A SWITCH
Emporia State was 15-34 under head coach Garin Higgins and trailing Missouri Southern 17-0 at the midway point of the 2011 season. Emporia State came back to win 31-24 and have gone 74-41 since then. Of the 41 losses, 18 have been to teams ranked in the AFCA Top 25 at the time. In Emporia State's first 49 games under Coach Higgins, the Hornets averaged 19.86 points per game while giving up 30.06 points per game. In the 113 games since then Emporia State is averaging 32.89 points while giving up 27.19 points per game and have won nearly two-thirds of their games.

OUTSIDE THE CONFERENCE
The Hornets have gone 14-3 in non-conference games under Garin Higgins and are 25-8 outside the MIAA in the 21st century. Since joining the MIAA, ESU is 34-13 in non-conference games and has lost only four games to unranked non-conference D-II opponents since 1996.  

PLAYOFF HISTORY
The Hornets are 3-4 in their seven NCAA playoff games over four trips to the Division II playoffs and have won three of their last five playoff games. Emporia State, Northwest Missouri, and Pittsburg State are the only MIAA teams to have won playoff games in back to back years while Emporia State and Northwest Missouri are the only ones to have accomplished the feat in the last decade.

BOWL HISTORY
The Hornets are 4-3 all-time in bowl games and have won their last three of their last four - the 2018 Corsicana Bowl, the 2012 Kanza Bowl, and the 2002 Mineral Water Bowl.

MIAA IN THE POSTSEASON
Since the MIAA first expanded in 1989 and the new teams became eligible for post season play in 1990, the league has eight national championships and a representative in 15 of 29 national championship games, including ten of the last 16 title games.  In that time the MIAA is 49-24 in the NCAA Playoffs and 21-8 in bowl games for a combined post season record of 70-32 against non-conference opponents. The Hornets join Northwest Missouri (1996-99, 2002, 2004-11, 2013, 2015-16, 2021), Pittsburg State (1989-92, 1995, 2001, 2004-05, 2011), Missouri Western (2012), and Central Missouri (2010) as MIAA teams that have reached the national quarterfinals.  Emporia State's game at Northwest Missouri in 2015 was the fifth all-MIAA regional final all-time.  Seven different MIAA schools have advanced to the NCAA Playoffs and won a game since 2010 while eight current member institutions have represented the league in the NCAA Playoffs. Counting their time in other conferences ten of the current 12 MIAA football playing schools have been NCAA Division II Playoff participants. The only two schools to have never made the NCAA Playoffs are Lincoln and Northeastern State. The RiverHawks made the NAIA National Championship game four times and won the title in 1994. Northeastern State also participated in the 2011 Mineral Water Bowl, meaning 11 of the 12 member schools have participated in an NCAA sanctioned post season game.   
All MIAA NCAA Divison II Quarterfinals
2015    at Northwest Mo. 38, Emporia State 17    
2011    at Pittsburg State 41, Northwest Mo. 16
2010    at Northwest Mo. 37, Central Mo. 20    
2005    Northwest Mo. 21, at Pittsburg State 10
2004    at Pittsburg State 50, Northwest Mo. 36

YOU HAVE TO SCORE TO WIN
The Hornets are 71-17 under coach Higgins when scoring 28 or more points with a 66-12 record in their last 78 games in which they have scored at least 28 points. The Hornets have scored at least 40 points in 40 games under Coach Higgins with a 38-2 record in those games. The Hornets have won 21 games when allowing their opponents 28 or more points under coach Higgins, but Emporia State has only won 18 games when the Hornets have scored less than 28 points, most recently the 15-12 victory at Fort Hays State on October 30. The 53-52 loss at Central Oklahoma in 2017 was the first time in school history the Hornets have scored 50 points in regulation and lost a game.

OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW
After the first week of the season, Emporia State leads the nation with the fewest passes intercepted, is ranked fourth in the nation in passing offense, and 22nd in completion percentage.  

QUARTERBACKS
To say Coach Garin Higgins has had a knack for developing quarterback is putting it mildly.  Over the last decade five different Hornet quarterbacks have thrown for over 300 yards in a game a combined 46 times, with 14 games of at least 400 yards and an MIAA record 522 yard game by Brent Wilson while eight different QBs have thrown at least two touchdown passes in a season. Braden Gleason was the fifth Hornet quarterback to start a postseason game since 2012 when he started the Live United Bowl.

TO THE MOON
Quarterback Braden Gleason (Jr./Muldrow, Okla.) has thrown a touchdown pass in 16 straight games dating back to 2019.  He leads the nation in total offense and is ranked second in total passing yards, third in passing yards per game, and seventh in completions per game.  
AS A JUNIOR: He has a pass of at least ten yards to 11 different receivers through two games. He went 28 of 44 for 411 yards and a touchdown passing and had a rushing touchdown at Central Oklahoma. He was 23 of 37 for 312 yards with three touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown against Northeastern State. It was his eighth career 30 yard passing game in 15 starts. He connected with 11 different receivers against the RiverHawks.  
AS A SOPHOMORE: He was a Third-Team All-MIAA selection in 2021. He led the nation in completions, ranked ninth in completion percentage, tenth in passing yards, 13th in passing touchdowns, 14th in total offense, and 16th in points responsible for. He led the MIAA in passing yards, touchdown passes and completions while ranking second in total offense and third in completion percentage.  He went 25 of 40 for 309 yards and three touchdowns against Southeastern Oklahoma in the Live United Bowl. He had 297 yards on 21 of 27 passing with four touchdowns and added 38 rushing yards on four carries in just over one half against Lincoln. He was 27 of 41 for 170 yards at Fort Hays State, going nine of ten for 70 yards and a touchdown in the last 6:20 for his first fourth quarter comeback win. He was 31 of 43 for 219 yards and two touchdowns against Missouri Southern. He went 37 of 62 for 371 yards and two touchdown against Neb.-Kearney. He was 48 of 67 for 497 yards and two TD passing and added 49 yards on seven carries with a touchdown at Central Missouri. His 48 completions broke the MIAA record of 47 set by Mo. S&T's Evan Gray against MWSU in 2003.  His 67 pass attempts breaks Sean Ponder's ESU record of 66 set against FHSU in 1995.  His 546 yards of total offense are second in ESU and MIAA history to Brent Wilson's 571 against UCO in 2013 while his 497 passing yards are second to Wilson's 522 against UCO and third all-time in the MIAA. He threw four touchdown passes against Washburn, going 18 of 25 for 183 yards on the day. He was 36 of 53 for 348 yards with two touchdowns and added 39 yards and two rushing scores at Pitt State. He was 30 of 45 for 307 yards and three touchdowns at Missouri Western. He was 28 of 42 for 280 yards and three touchdowns against Central Oklahoma and connected with eight different receivers. He completed 28 of 40 passes for a career high 327 yards at Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN: He came in after one play and led Emporia State to a 34-14 win against Central Oklahoma. He was 17 of 27 for 160 yards and two touchdowns through the air and added 30 yards on ten rushes. He went 14 of 34 for 222 yards and added 81 rushing yards in his first career start against Missouri Southern. He was ten of 18 for 122 yards and added 45 yards on 12 rushes at Missouri Western. He had 17 yards on five carries at Lincoln. He was five of seven for 39 yards and a touchdown against Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was Honorable Mention All-State for Muldrow (Okla.) HS. He threw for 6,317 yards and 60 touchdowns in his career along with 1,483 yards and 23 touchdowns rushing.
RECORD BOOK: He is ranked fourth on the Emporia State single season passing list with 3,394 yards and fourth with 3,727 yards of total offense.

IN THE CHASE
Quarterback Chase Ricke (Soph./Tulsa, Okla.) has moved into the back-up spot after training camp.
AS A FRESHMAN: He saw his first action as a Hornet against Lincoln.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He earned First-Team All-State honors as he led Lincoln Christian HS to an undefeated state championship in Oklahoma Class 3A.

PARTICULAR SET OF SKILLS
Quarterback Liam Thornton (Fr.-RS/Mesquite, Texas) was a second-team All-District 10-6A selection for North Mesquite HS in Texas.

RECEIVERS
Seven wide receivers have at least one reception of ten yards on the year while four have at least a 30 yard reception.

SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT
Receiver Corey Thomas (Sr./Topeka, Kan.) was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection at receiver. He was tenth in the MIAA in receptions per game last season.
AS A SENIOR: He is leading the MIAA and ranked ninth in the country in yards per reception. He had a career best 79 yard touchdown catch at Central Oklahoma and finished with two catches for 84 yards. He caught two passes for 34 yards against Northeastern State.
AS A JUNIOR: He averaged 5.3 catches for 64.3 yards over his last four games of 2021 highlighted by a six catch, 103 yard performance with a touchdown in the Live United Bowl. He had six catches for 75 yards including a 57 yard touchdown against Lincoln. He had seven catches for 60 yards and a two point conversion at Fort Hays State. He had seven receptions for 60 yards and recovered an on-side kick against Neb.-Kearney. He caught four passes for 52 yards at Central Missouri. He had a five yard touchdown catch among his three catches against Washburn. He had six catches for 92 yards at Pittsburg State.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He had a team high seven catches for 99 yards and a 47 yard touchdown against Northeastern State. He finished the season with 126 yards on 11 catches in just three games.
AS A FRESHMAN: He had one reception for 19 yards against Mo. Southern. He had an eight yard reception at Northwest Missouri.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a Top 11 All-City pick in Topeka as a junior in 2015. He had 1,034 rushing yards and 996 receiving yards with eight touchdowns as a junior but missed much of his senior season at Topeka HS due to injury.

FORMULA ONE
Receiver Cole Schumacher (Sr./Rossville, Kan.) is a sixth year senior in the receiving corps. He was the second leading receiver for the Hornets last season with 40 catches.
AS A SENIOR: He had four catches for 32 yards at Central Oklahoma. He had a 37 yard touchdown reception at the end of the first half against Northeastern State with 25 yards coming after the catch.
AS A JUNIOR: He had four catches for 65 yards and a touchdown against Neb.-Kearney. He carried four Lopers into the end zone on his touchdown. He caught six passes at Central Missouri for 46 yards. He had two catches for 25 yards against Washburn. He caught six passes for 42 yards and a game tying touchdown at Pitt State. He had four catches for just 13 yards at Missouri Western. He caught four passes for 58 yards against Central Oklahoma. He had three catches for 77 yards and a touchdown at Northeastern State. His 70 yard reception gave Emporia State a 7-0 lead and is the third longest reception in the MIAA this season.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He had a team high 44 receptions for 461 yards and four touchdowns in 2019. He was eighth in the MIAA in total receptions with 44 in 2019. He caught six balls for 54 yards against Central Oklahoma. He had two catches for 39 yards at Missouri Southern. He had three catches for 32 yards - all on consecutive plays on a third quarter touchdown drive- against Washburn. He had four catches for 48 yards at Missouri Western. He caught eight passes for 53 yards against Central Missouri. He had 59 yards on five receptions with a touchdown against Northwest Missouri. He had three catches for 29 yards at Lincoln. He had six receptions for 45 yards against Neb.-Kearney. He caught four passes for 60 yards at Pittsburg State. He had two catches for 38 yards against Northeastern State, including a 32 yard touchdown.
AS A FRESHMAN: He had a career best five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown against Missouri Southern. He had two key catches for ten yards in the fourth quarter against Ft. Hays State. He finished the year with 112 yards on nine catches with a touchdown in five games last season.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was an All-Class 3A receiver and three-time state champion at Rossville HS.

UNCOMMON
Receiver Tyler Kahmann (Soph./Haysville, Kan.) is fifth in the MIAA in receptions.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He had four cathces for 21 yards at Central Oklahoma. He had a team high six receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown against Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN: He led Emporia State with five touchdown receptions and finished the season with 34 catches for 428 yards. He had three catches for 58 yards and a touchdown against Southeastern Oklahoma in the Live United Bowl. He had a 16 yard reception against Lincoln. He caught nine passes for 71 yards with two touchdowns against Missouri Southern. He had 42 yards on two receptions against Neb.-Kearney. He had four catches for 65 yards at Central Missouri. He had a four yard touchdown grab against Washburn. He erupted for nine receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown at Pitt State. He had a 69 yard catch against Central Oklahoma.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He had 35 receptions for 694 yards and 14 touchdowns to earn All-State honors at Campus HS. He was also a Class 6A honorable mention All-State selection in basketball and baseball.

A NEW MARSHALL
Receiver Jaylen Varner (Soph./Marshall, Mo.) was 12th in the MIAA in receptions per game last year.  
AS A SOPHOMORE: He caught four passes for 48 yards at Central Oklahoma. He two catches for 19 yards and a touchdown against Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN: He had 39 receptions for 428 yards and four touchdowns. He had a team high five catches for 48 yards and a touchdown at Northwest Missouri. He had a 30 yard touchdown reception against Lincoln. He had five catches for 38 yards against Neb.-Kearney. He had a 72 yard reception at Missouri Western and finished with two catches for 80 yards against the Griffons. He caught five passes for 53 yards against Central Oklahoma. He had five catches for 65 yards and two touchdowns at Northeastern State.
AT MISSOURI: He is a transfer from Missouri where he was a defensive back as a red-shirt in 2019.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a four-time All-Conference selection at Marshall HS and was the district MVP his senior season.

WHERE THERE'S A WIL
Receiver Wil Amos (Jr./Afton, Okla.) has been hampered by injuries for most of his career and was limited to just five games as a sophomore in 2021 due to injuries and finished with 19 catches for 136 yards.
AS A JUNIOR: He had two catches for 41 yards including a 33 yarder at Central Oklahoma. He caught two passes for 13 yards against Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He had four receptions for 21 yards against Neb.-Kearney. He caught nine passes for 76 yards at Central Missouri. He had one catch for four yards against Central Oklahoma.
AS A FRESHMAN: He had 498 yards on 39 catches in nine games as a red-shirt freshman in 2019. He ranked seventh in the MIAA in receptions per game but was just 14th in receiving yards per game despite having a catch of at least 26 yards in all but one game he played in during the 2019 season. He had 25 rushing yards on four carries and added three receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown against Central Oklahoma. He had five catches for 63 yards including a 42 yard touchdown at Missouri Southern. He had two receptions for 40 yards including a 34 yarder at Missouri Western. He had four catches for 54 yards including a 36 yard touchdown that pulled the Hornets within seven points with 1:02 left in the game against Central Missouri. He had 40 yards on two receptions at Fort Hays State. He had 12 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown at Lincoln.  He had four catches for a team high 51 yards in his first game as a Hornet against Neb.-Kearney including a 36 yard reception.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a Daily Oklahoman and Tulsa World All-State Selection. He had 3,247 yards and 45 touchdowns on the ground and threw for 1,269 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior to lead Afton to state championship. He was a two-time 800m and 400m State Champion in track.

STRONG ONE
Receiver Dexton Swinehart (Jr./Lyndon, Kan.) has 73 career catches in 25 games with the Hornets.
AS A JUNIOR: He hauled in a 22 yard reception against Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He caught 38 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns in 2021. He caught a 24 yard touchdown pass against Lincoln. He had 30 yards on four receptions against Missouri Southern. He had four catches for 24 yards at Central Missouri. He had four receptions for 29 yards, with 28 yards coming after the catch, against Washburn. He had 78 yards on six receptions at Missouri Western. He had eight receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown against Central Oklahoma. He had four catches for 29 yards at Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN: He finished the season with 403 yards on 34 receptions. He had four catches for 38 yards at Mo. Western. He had 40 yards on six receptions against Central Missouri. He had four catches for 30 yards at Fort Hays State. He had seven catches for 97 yards with a 42 yard touchdown at Lincoln. He had a 16 yard reception and a catch for a two-point conversion against Neb.-Kearney. He had 112 yards on five catches against Northeastern State including a 74 yard touchdown.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was the Kansas Class 2-1A Offensive Player of the Year and a Topeka Capital Journal Top 33 selection. He earned Topeka Capital Journal and Wichita Eagle 2017 First-Team Offensive and Defensive All-State honors.

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES
Receiver Zion Jones (Soph./Wichita, Kan.) is in his third year with the Hornets.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He had 78 all-purpose yards against Northeastern State, finishing with one catch for 11 yards and two kick returns for 67 yards.
AS A FRESHMAN: He had a 17 yard reception against Lincoln.  He caught a nine yard pass against Fort Hays State. He had two receptions for 12 yards at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a two-time All-City League and two-time All-State selection at Wichita Northwest HS.

IT'S NOT BRAGGING
Receiver Deontei Braggs (Soph./Spiro, Okla.) is in his third year with the Hornets.
AS A FRESHMAN: He took a shovel pass 62 yards for a touchdown at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was the Oklahoma District 2A-5 Offensive/Defensive MVP and Player of the Year. He was a first-team OCA All-State selection with 1,469 passing yards with 15 touchdowns while adding 751 yards with 14 touchdowns on the ground. He had 32 total tackles with four interceptions.

TY-RRIFIC
Receiver Tyreek Robinson (Soph./Kissimmee, Fla.) is a dual sport student-athlete that also plays basketball for the Hornets.
ON THE BASKETBALL COURT: He had a career high 11 points against Northwest Missouri in the 2021 MIAA Tournament. He scored six points and matched his career high with eight rebounds in his first career start at Central Oklahoma as a freshman in 2019-20.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He averaged 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks per game at Gateway HS. He only played football as a senior but had several offers to play football at the NCAA Division I level.

LEAN ON ME
Receiver David Leonty (Jr./Carrollton, Texas) is in his first year with the Hornets.
PREVIOUSLY: He had ten receptions for 113 yards as a freshman at West Texas A&M in 2019 before walking on at Texas Tech in 2020-21.

S-BACK
The Hornets used four players at the Stinger Back position last year and they combined to catch seven touchdowns.

THE Z-MAN
S-Back Tommy Zimmerman (Soph./Overland Park, Kan.) is in his fourth year at Emporia State and moved into the starting role against Neb.-Kearney last season.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He had three catches for 46 yards at Central Oklahoma. He caught two passes for 28 yards against Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN: He finished the year with 24 catches for 282 yards and four touchdowns. He had two catches including a 31 yard touchdown against Southeastern Oklahoma in the Live United Bowl. He had three catches for 62 yards against Lincoln. He caught four passes for 25 yards against Missouri Southern. He had a career high nine receptions for 99 yards against Neb.-Kearney. He had two catches, both for touchdowns, for a total of 23 yards at Missouri Western. He caught two passes for 31 yards including his first career touchdown against Central Oklahoma. He saw his first action as a Hornet at Northeastern State and had a key block on Deonti Braggs 62 yard touchdown.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He earned all-league honors at both tight end and defensive line for Blue Valley Southwest HS. He was a Kansas Football Coaches Association (KFBCA) All-State pick on the defensive line and was named a Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association MoKan All Star.

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
Quarterback Jack Diamond (Sr./Shawnee, Okla.) has transitioned from quarterback to S-Back this year for the Hornets. He transferred to Emporia State from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in December of 2019.
AS A JUNIOR: He was two for three for 44 yards and added a two carries for ten yards and a touchdown against Lincoln. His first pass as a Hornet was a 62 yard touchdown pass against Northeastern State.
AT NEO A&M: He was 32 of 76 for 426 yards and six touchdowns in seven games for the Norsemen and added 270 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground in 2019.  
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He had 3,024 yards of total offense in 11 games as a senior for Shawnee (Okla.) HS.  He was teammates with current Kansas City Chief center Creed Humphrey

FAMILY AFFAIR
S-Back Case Cochran (Jr./Cashion, Okla.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He played in three games last season and had a nine yard kick return against Lincoln.
AS A FRESHMAN: He started and had his first career touchdown on a three yard catch at Lincoln.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was the 2016 District Offensive MVP and 2017 District Receiver of the Year. He is the brother of former Emporia State assistant coaches Cayden and Cale Cochran.

DALTON GANG
S-Back Dalton Cowan (Sr./Topeka, Kan.) was named second-team All-MIAA at all-purpose back but has missed the last six games with an injury. He was re-injured in training camp and will now help coach for the remainder of the fall. He is believed to be the only player in Emporia State history to have over 250 rushing, 300 receiving and 1,500 passing yards with at least three rushing, receiving and passing touchdowns in his career.

RUNNING BACKS
The Hornet running backs were limited to 52 yards on 22 carries for an average of 2.4 yards per rush after combining to go for 123 yards on 24 carries for an average of 5.1 yards per carry with two touchdowns against Northeastern State.

PROMISED LAND
Running back Canaan Brooks (Jr./St. Louis, Mo.) earned Second-Team All-MIAA honors last year.
AS A SENIOR: He did not play against Central Oklahoma with an injury. He carried the ball a team high 14 times for 58 yards and a touchdown against Northeastern State.
AS A JUNIOR: He was fourth in the MIAA in rushing yards per game, fifth in rushing touchdowns and 11th in all-purpose yards. In the six games that he carried the ball at least 12 times, he averaged 100.8 yards per game with seven of his eight rushing touchdowns on the season. He had 108 yards on 19 carries with a touchdown against Southeastern Oklahoma in the Live United Bowl. He had two carries for 23 yards against Lincoln. He scored both touchdowns for Emporia State at Fort Hays State, finishing with 90 rushing yards on 12 carries and 23 yards on six receptions. He finished with 105 yards on 28 carries against Missouri Southern. He had a career high 151 yards on 30 carries with two touchdowns against Neb.-Kearney. He had 15 carries for 79 yards and two touchdowns and 54 yards on five catches at Central Missouri. He had 72 yards on 21 carries against Washburn. He ran for 80 yards on nine carries against Central Oklahoma with a long rush of 52 yards. He had 52 rushing yards on 11 carries with an 18 yard touchdown run at Northeastern State and added 19 yards on three receptions.
AT SOUTH DAKOTA: He played in all 12 games as a sophomore in 2019 with 114 carries for 505 yards and four touchdowns and had a season high 112 yards on 11 carries against Youngstown State. As a freshman he played in ten games finishing with 144 yards on 55 carries.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He earned all-conference, all-metro and all-state honors after rushing for 1,438 yards and 33 touchdowns for Lutheran North HS. He averaged 9.8 yards per carry as he led the Crusaders to their first conference championship since 2002. He played at  Hazelwood West HS before transferring to Lutheran North HS prior to the 2017 season.

SPEEDSTER
Running back Billy Ross Jr. (Soph./Oklahoma City, Okla.) is eighth in the MIAA in all-purpose yardage and ranks tenth in the league in yards per carry at 5.9 yards per rush.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He got the start at Central Oklahoma and finished 119 yards from scrimmage. He caught seven passes on seven targets for 96 yards adn added 23 yards on eight carries. He had 59 yards on just six carries against Northeastern State including a 35 yard touchdown run.
AS A FRESHMAN: He was a Third-Team All-MIAA pick at returner. He had 292 yards on 95 carries while catching 28 passes for 285 yards. He was 12th in the MIAA in all-purpose yardage. He led the league and ranked third in the nation in punt return touchdowns while ranking fourth in the MIAA in punt return average and fifth in kick-off return average. He had 66 all-purpose yards at Northwest Missouri including a season's best 38 yard kick-off return. He had 95 all-purpose yards against Lincoln with 48 on the ground, 19 receiving and 28 in returns. He had a 21 yard reception at Fort Hays State. He had 123 all-purpose yards on 13 touches against Neb.-Kearney. He had a 63 yard touchdown reception on a screen pass against Washburn. He gained 73 yards on 22 carries at Pittsburg State. He had 169 all-purpose yards at Missouri Western with 66 rushing yards, 49 receiving yards and 54 yards on two punt returns.  He returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring and was named the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week. He had 93 all-purpose yards at Northeastern State with 29 rushing, 39 receiving and 25 yards on punt returns.
ON THE TRACK: He has already competed in two outdoor and three indoor seasons for the ESU track team. He ran a personal best 10.67 to place tenth in the 100m at the MIAA Outdoor Championships.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He had 860 receiving yards, 660 rushing yards, 1,800 all purpose yards, and 22 total touchdowns for Heritage Hall HS  He was a five-time State Champion in track in the 100m, 200m, and 4x200m.

THE KINGSMAN
Running back Kingsley Bennett (Fr./Garland, Texas) is playing a true freshman for the Hornets.
AS A FRESHMAN: He had 62 yards on nine touches at Central Oklahoma including a 35 yard long reception. He had 47 all-purpose yards on seven touches against Northeastern State. He rushed four times for six yards, had two catches for 16 yards and a kick return for 25 yards.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: In eight games as a senior at Naaman Forest HS he rushed for 1,336 yards on 157 carries with 18 touchdowns and had 16 receptions for 220 yards and three touchdowns. He earned First-Team All-District running back and First-Team kick/punt returner honors.

LIFE OF PETZ
Running back Jack Petz (Jr./Lenexa, Kan.) has moved back to running back after playing primarily S-Back last season.
AS A JUNIOR: He missed the first game with an injury but came back to gain 15 yards on eight carries at Central Oklahoma.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He had nine carries for 63 yards against Lincoln.
AS A FRESHMAN: He got the start against Washburn and had one receptions. He had one catch for five yards against Central Missouri. He had a three yard catch at Pittsburg State. He had seven carries for 28 yards as a running back against Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a First-Team All-State Selection and First-Team All-EKL pick for St. James Academy. He was a 2018 Kansas Shrine Bowl selection. was also a three time state medalist in diving.

PEYTON'S PLACE
Running back Peyton Henry (Fr.-RS/Andover, Kan.) missed last season with an injury but could make a move into the mix at running back this year.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was an honorable mention All-State performer at Andover HS.

OFFENSIVE LINE
After returning just two players with previous starting experience in 2021, the Hornets offensive line will bring a wealth of experience into 2022 with four returning starters. Three of the four have earned All-MIAA honors in their career. They gave up just one sack in every 44.5 passing attempts last year, with an MIAA low 12 sacks in 534 drop backs. They led the MIAA and ranked fifth in the nation with just 2.92 tackles for loss allowed. So farthis year they have given up just two sacks in 84 drop backs.

MEET THE CONNER
Guard Conner Lierz (Sr./Manhattan,Kan.) was named Second-Team All-MIAA.  He has started all 14 games he has played in for the Hornets.
AS A JUNIOR: He had a team high 50 knockdowns on the season. He was named Squarehead Award winner for the fourth time this season against Missouri Southern. He earned his third Squarehead Award of the season against Neb.-Kearney. He was named the Offensive MVP at Central Missouri by the coaches. He recorded a season high 8.5 knockdowns against Washburn. He had 4.5 knockdowns at Pittsburg State. He earned his second straight Squarehead Award at Missouri Western. He was named the Squarehead Award winner against Central Oklahoma and was second on the team with four knockdowns. He had a team high eight knockdowns at Northeastern State.
AT HUTCHINSON CC: He transferred to ESU from Hutchinson CC in December 2019. He was an honorable mention All-Jayhawk performer for the Blue Dragons.

NO LONGER A FRESHMAN PHENOM
Center Hayden Reed (Sr./Celina, Texas) was a Third-Team All-MIAA selection. He is in his sixth year with the Hornets and has already graduated. He has started all 37 games for Emporia State over his career with 35 of those starts at center.
AS A JUNIOR: He averaged 2.4 knockdowns per game from the center spot. He was named the Squarehead Award winner against Washburn. He had five knockdowns at Pitt State.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He moved back to the starting center at Fort Hays State and finished the season at that position. He was named the Squarehead Award winner against Lincoln as a guard. He started the season at center for three games before moving to guard for two.
AS A FRESHMAN: He became the first freshman to start at center for the Hornets under coach Higgins since Lance Uhles in 2008.
IN HIGH SCHOOL:  He was a first-team All-District performer on the offensive line for Celina HS.

X MARKS THE SPOT
Tackle Xavier Cason (Sr./Junction City, Kan.) was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection. He has played in 33 games with 18 starts in his career.
AS A JUNIOR: He averaged 3.5 knockdowns per game. He was named Squarehead Award winner at Fort Hays State. He earned the Squarehead Award against Central Missouri. He had a team high five knockdowns against Central Oklahoma. He had five knockdowns at Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He was named the Squarehead Award winner after the Northwest Missouri game. He made his first start against UNK after he played most of the second half at Pittsburg State.
AS A FRESHMAN: He made the two-deep as a true freshman and played in four games.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a Class 6A All-State Honorable Mention pick and 2018 Shrine Bowl Participant. He is the younger brother of former Hornet linebacker Manny Cason.

SHERMAN'S MARCH
Tackle Sherman Deaton (Soph./Fountain, Colo.) is in his third year with the Hornets. He has started 14 games in this career.
AS A FRESHMAN: He averaged 2.2 knockdowns per game as a red-shirt freshman. He started all 12 games for Emporia State since he earned his first career start at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a two-time All Conference selection and earned First-Team Colorado All State honors at Fountain HS.

THE INFERNO
Tackle Dante Smith-Posey (Soph./Lenexa, Kan.) is in his third year with the Hornets and has moved into the starting line-up out of training camp.
AS A FRESHMAN: He averaged 1.6 knockdowns per game. He made his first career start at Pittsburg State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a two-time All-Sunflower League pick. He was a Wichita Eagle and Topeka Capital Journal All-State selection as well a 2019 Shrine Bowl selection.

AMERICAN IDOL
Center Colton Dodd (Jr./Enid, Okla.) was an All-Conference and All-District performer for Enid HS.  He earned the Offensive Line MVP Award at Emporia State's O-Line Camp his senior year.

BRING THE WOOD
Guard Ian Carpenter (Soph./Andover, Kan.) was a First-Team Topeka Capital Journal and KFBCA All-State selection and a 2019 Shrine Bowl selection.

A GOOD MAN
Tackle Carlos Guzman (Soph./Denver, Colo.) was a First-Team All-Conference and the Offensive MVP for Bear Creek HS.

HULL CITY
Tackle Josh Hull (Soph./Humboldt, Kan.) was a two-time First-Team Kansas All State Offensive Lineman and a KFBCA First-Team All-State performer. His mother Mona (Scantlin) Hull played basketball for the Lady Hornets.

TALON OF POWER
Guard Talon Wheeler (Fr.-RS/Broken Arrow, Okla.) was a First team All-District Offensive Line honoree and the Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year at Broken Arrow HS.

DEFENSE
Emporia State has six returning starters from a unit that made it's mark on third down and with big plays. The Hornets ranked second in the MIAA and 30th in the nation in third down defense while ranking second in the MIAA and 35th in the nation in defensive touchdowns last season. They were third in the MIAA in sacks.  After finishing last in the MIAA in yards allowed per pass completion last year, the Hornets have given up just 8.0 yards per completion this year with only three plays going over 20 yards.

LINEBACKERS
Two-time All-American and the leading tackler in the MIAA over the last three seasons Jace McDown is making the transition from player to coach, but the cupboard is not bare in the linebacker room. Two of the three returners earned All-MIAA honors in 2021. Two Hornets are currently ranked in the top ten of the MIAA in tackles.

PROCESSIONAL
Linebacker Cade Harelson (Sr./Davenport, Okla.) was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection. He was fifth in the MIAA in tackles per game, tenth in sacks, and 13th in tackles for loss per game last season.
AS A SENIOR: He is currently fifth in the MIAA in tackles per game. He was credited with nint tackles and a QB hurry at Central Oklahoma. He had nine tackles, an assisted sack and a quarterback hurry against Northeastern State.
AS A JUNIOR: He had 11 tackles, nine of them solo, at Northwest Missouri. He had 12 tackles at Fort Hays State. He had seven stops and two pass break ups against Missouri Southern. He had seven tackles, half a sack and a pass break up at Central Missouri. He recorded eight tackles and a pass break up against Washburn. He had seven tackles and a pass break up at Pittsburg State. He was credited with a career high 15 tackles at Missouri Western with three tackles for loss and a sack. He recorded six tackles with two sacks and quarterback hurry against Central Oklahoma. He had seven tackles, three for a loss including a sack at Northeastern State.  
AS A SOPHOMORE: He was tied for sixth in the MIAA with two fumble recoveries and ranked 25th in the nation. He had four tackles at Missouri Southern. He missed two games with an injury. He had two tackles, one for a loss, and a pass break up against Northwest Missouri. He was credited with four solo tackles and a fumble recovery at Lincoln. He had three tackles and a fumble recovery against Neb.-Kearney. He recorded four tackles and forced a fumble at Pittsburg State. He had two tackles against Northeastern State with one for a loss.
AS A FRESHMAN: He was credited with four unassisted tackles against Missouri Southern. He had four solo tackles against Missouri Western. He had two tackles and his first career interception at Central Missouri. He was credited with an assisted tackle and a pass break up at Northwest Missouri. He had three tackles at Neb.-Kearney.  He recorded four tackles with 1.5 sacks at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was an All-Little City First team selection and all-state honoree for Davenport HS. He was the eight man football Class B-7 District MVP.

DAWSON'S CREEK
Linebacker Dawson Hammes (Sr./Rossville, Kan.) was an honorable mention All-MIAA performer. He ranked fifth in the MIAA in total tackles, eighth in solo tackles and 16th in tackles for loss last season.
AS A SENIOR: He is ranked eighth in the MIAA in solo tackles and 14th in overall stops. He had nine tackles, eight of them solo, at Central Oklahoma. He was credited with five tackles against Northeastern State.
AS A JUNIOR: He recorded double figure tackles in three games. He was credited with seven tackles at Northwest Missouri. He had six tackles and a forced fumble against Lincoln. He was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Week after recording 12 tackles at Fort Hays State. He had seven tackles against Missouri Southern. He had nine tackles with 1.0 TFL against Neb.-Kearney. He had five tackles at Central Missouri with an assisted tackle for loss. He was credited with six stops against Washburn. He had nine tackles with one for a loss at Pittsburg State. He was credited with eight stops at Missouri Western. He had eight tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry against Central Oklahoma. He was credited with a team high eight tackles, seven of them solo, with three tackles for loss at Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He was an honorable mention All-MIAA performer as a sophomore. He had five tackles and a forced fumble against Central Oklahoma. He recorded nine tackles at Missouri Southern. He had a career high 11 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss against Washburn. He had a team high nine tackles with a sack and a quarterback hurry at Lincoln. He recorded six tackles and a quarterback hurry against Neb.-Kearney. He had seven tackles at Pittsburg State with a sack.
AS A FRESHMAN: He played in all 11 games last season. He had a career high four tackles against Missouri Southern. He had two stops against Missouri Western. He had two solo tackles against Ft. Hays State. He was credited with a solo tackle at Northwest Missouri.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was an All-State and Top 33 selection in the state of Kansas. He earned first-team All-Mid-East League with 172 tackles, with six sacks and three pass deflections as a senior. He was a three-time state champ at Rossville HS playing for his father, former Hornet Derick Hammes.

EVERY DAY
Linebacker Declan Haub (Soph./Kingfisher, Okla.) has moved into the middle linebacker position in his third year with the program.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He recorded a career high 11 tackles at Central Oklahoma with a pass break up. He had six tackles and an assisted tackle for loss against Northeastern State in his first career start.
AS A FRESHMAN: He had a career high five tackles against Lincoln as a red-shirt freshman.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He earned first-team All-State honors as a senior with 98 tackles, 15 TFL, five sacks and two forced fumbles.  He was a member of Kingfisher HS state championship basketball team.

BARGE RIGHT IN
Linebacker Jack Barger (Jr./De Soto, Kan.) has already graduated but is only a junior in eligibility. He will also see time as the Hornet's long snapper.
AS A JUNIOR: He was credited with five tackles against Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He saw action in all 11 games last season and finished with eight tackles. He had two tackles in his first career start against Lincoln. He assisted on the stop on the Tigers two-point attempt at Fort Hays State. He had two tackles at Mo. Western and a solo tackle against Central Oklahoma.
AS A FRESHMAN: He had two interceptions during the Hornets spring scrimmage against Southeastern Oklahoma, returning one 43 yards and the other 11 yards. Played in ten regular season games and had a career high three tackles at Lincoln.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was an all-state linebacker for De Soto HS and a finalist for the Get Busy Livin' KPreps Player of the Year Award.

TAKE A CHANCE
Linebacker Chance Rodriguez (Jr./Holcomb, Kan.) is in his fifth year with the Hornets.
AS A JUNIOR: He was credited with three tackles at Central Oklahoma. He had three tackles, two of them solo, against Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He had two tackles with a tackle for loss against Lincoln.
AS A FRESHMAN: He played in two games as a redshirt freshman in 2019.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a first-team All-State selection at tight end as Holcomb won the Class 4A-II state championship. He was a first-team Garden City Telegraph All-Area performer at tight end and linebacker.

LIVIN ON THE EDGE
Linebacker Lavon Jones (Soph./St. Louis, Mo.) is in his third year with the Hornets.
AS A FRESHMAN: He had two tackles against Washburn.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was First-Team All-League and First-Team All-District at Desmet Jesuit HS.

DEFENSIVE LINE
The Hornets are ranked fourth in the MIAA in sacks this season. Last season the defensive line combined for 13.5 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss.

WILLIAMS AUTOMOTIVE
Defensive lineman Jordan Williams (Jr./St Louis, Mo.) was a Second-Team All-MIAA pick. He is third in the MIAA in tackles for loss while ranking seventh in the league in total tackles.
AS A JUNIOR: He was credited with six tackles at Central Oklahoma. He had a team and career high ten tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack on the first play of the game against Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He finished seventh in the MIAA in total tackles for loss and eighth in total sacks. He averaged 5.5 tackles per game over the final six games last year. He had six tackles and a hurry against Southeastern Oklahoma in the Live United Bowl. He had seven tackles with a sack at Northwest Missouri. He had three tackles for loss, a forced fumble and seven total tackles at Fort Hays State. He had seven tackles and a tackle for loss against Neb.-Kearney. He had three tackles, all of which were behind the line of scrimmage, and a strip sack at Central Missouri. He had a sack, a quarterback hurry and two tackles against Washburn. He had a career high eight tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and a pass break up at Pittsburg State. He was credited with three tackles at Missouri Western. He had four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack against Central Oklahoma.
AS A FRESHMAN: He had three tackles with half a tackle for loss at Missouri Western. He recorded a career high five tackles against Northwest Missouri. He had a sack at Lincoln. He had two unassisted tackles against Neb.-Kearney. He had a solo stop at Pittsburg State. He was credited with a solo tackle against Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a First-Team All-Conference Defensive Lineman as a senior. He also participated on the track & field team for Hazelwood East HS where he threw shot put.

WISE WOLF
Defensive lineman Rafe Goucher (Soph./El Reno, Okla.) was named honorable mention All-MIAA last year.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He was credited with three tackles at Central Oklahoma. He recorded three tackles against Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN: He started the last seven games of the year. He had two solo tackles against Lincoln. He had three tackles including a sack at Fort Hays State. He was credited with two tackles against Washburn. He had a career high six tackles, two for a loss, and a sack at Pittsburg State. He had an assisted tackle at Missouri Western.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was the Class 5A District 1 Defensive Player of the Year for El Reno HS. He earned Oklahoma All-State honors as a defensive lineman.

ISLAND MEADOW
Defensive lineman Rylan Miller (Soph./Overland Park, Kan.) missed four games in the middle of last season with an injury.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He had an assisted tackle at Central Oklahoma. He was credited with two tackles against Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN: He had a solo tackle for loss against Lincoln. He had two solo tackles against Missouri Southern. He had a pair of assisted tackles at Missouri Western. He had a sack and two tackles in his first game as a Hornet at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was Second-Team All-Sunflower League at Shawnee Mission North HS.

BECKER ADDITION
Defensive lineman Daniel Becker (Soph./Conway Springs, Kan.) has steadily progressed through his four years with Hornets.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He had a solo tackle at Central Oklahoma. He saw his first extended action of his career against Northeastern State and recorded three tackles.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a KFBCA First-Team All-State selection and a Topeka Capital Journal Top 33 player in the state of Kansas. He was the Central Plains Defensive Player of the Year and a 2018 Kansas Defensive Player of The Year finalist.

BOOMER SOONER
Defensive lineman Charlie Suenram (Soph./Edmond, Okla.) is another sophomore on the defensive line that has shown steady progress during his time at Emporia State.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He was credited with two solo tackles at Central Oklahoma. He also had two solo tackles against Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a Second-Team COAC All-Conference and Honorable Mention OCA All-State selection. He recorded 80 tackles with seven sacks.

BEAR DOWN
Defensive lineman Maquay Shaw (Jr./Haskell, Okla.) played in ten games last year and was credited with 12 tackles from his defensive line position.
AS A JUNIOR: He had three tackles against Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He was in on five tackles against Lincoln. He got his first career start at Missouri Western. He had two assisted tackles against Central Oklahoma. He was credited with four tackles including a tackle for loss at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL:  He was the two-time Haskell HS Offensive Lineman of the Year and has switched to the defensive side of the ball at Emporia State.

DEFENSIVE BACKS
The Hornets lead the MIAA and are ranked 27th in the nation in interceptions while ranking 36th in the nation and second in the league in pass defense efficiency.

JUMP IN THE POOL
Safety Jaedon Pool (Sr./Midwest City, Okla.) earned Third-Team All-MIAA honors. He was ninth in the MIAA with nine total passes defended and 12th with two interceptions. He is the co-president of the ESU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
AS A SENIOR: He had five tackles at Central Oklahoma. He was credited with five tackles and a pass break up against Northeastern State.
AS A JUNIOR: He had four tackles and a pass break up against Southeastern Oklahoma in the Live United Bowl. He was credited with 11 tackles and a career high ten solo at Northwest Missouri. He had six tackles at Fort Hays State. He had a tackle and two pass breakups against Missouri Southern. He had six tackles with a tackle for loss against Neb.-Kearney. He was credited with five tackles, four of the solo, at Central Missouri. Against Washburn he had seven tackles, broke up a two point conversion and recovered an on-side kick attempt. He had an interception and three tackles at Pittsburg State. He had three solo tackles at Missouri Western. He had two solo tackles, an interception and a pass break up against Central Oklahoma.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He was 19th in the MIAA in pass break ups. He had five tackles against Central Oklahoma. He recorded four solo tackles at Mo Southern. He had two tackles and a pass break up against Washburn. He had three tackles and three pass break ups against Central Missouri. He was credited with a career high nine tackles at Ft. Hays State. He had eight tackles against Neb.-Kearney.  
AS A FRESHMAN: He had two tackles and a pass break up at Northwest Missouri. He two pass break ups against Lindenwood. He had a pair of tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He was credited with five solo tackles and a pass break up against Pittsburg State. He had a fumble recovery at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was First-Team All-District at Carl Albert HS. He had 75 tackles, five sacks and an interception while catching 22 passes for 335 yards and four touchdowns. He was on back-to-back State Championship football teams and the 2017 Track & Field State Championship team.  

MAXWELL HOUSE
Safety Derrick Maxwell (Soph./Chicago, Ill.) leads the MIAA and is ranked 12th in the nation in passed defended while ranking second in the MIAA in interceptions.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He had six tackles at Central Oklahoma. He was credited with six tackles, three pass break ups, a tackle for loss and an interception against Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN: He played in ten games with a start against Central Missouri last season. He had two solo stops at Fort Hays State. He forced a fumble against Missouri Southern. He had three solo stops at Central Missouri. He had five tackles and an interception against Washburn. He had two tackles at Pitt State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a First-Team All-Conference selection at Rich Central HS.

SAFETY FIRST
Cornerback Khalil Rasheed (Soph./Coppell, Texas) is second in the MIAA in interceptions.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He recorded one tackle at Central Oklahoma. He had four tackles, an assisted TFL and an interception against Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN: He played in all 12 games last year as a red-shirt freshman, getting a start in the Live United Bowl. He had four tackles at Central Missouri. He was credited with six tackles and two pass breakups against Washburn. He had three tackles and an assisted tackle for loss at Pittsburg State. He had a solo tackle at Missouri Western.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He had 70 tackles, two sacks, six tackles for loss,  two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown as a senior at Coppell HS.

MOUNTAIN
Cornerback Montrell Wilson (Jr./Oklahoma City, Okla.) was 22nd in the MIAA in passes defended last year.
AS A JUNIOR: He had five tackles, four of them solo, at Central Oklahoma. He recorded four tackles against Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He started five of 12 games last season. He had five tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pass break up at Fort Hays State. He broke up three passes and had four solo tackles against Neb.-Kearney. He had a tackle and a pass break up at Central Missouri. He had two solo stops at Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN: He recorded two tackles against Washburn. He had a career high six tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss against UCO.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a Second-Team All-City Selection for two-time Oklahoma State Football Champion Millwood HS.

PAPAL AUTHORITY
Safety Chris Pope (Jr./Edmond, Okla.) is a graduate transfer from NCAA FCS Northern Colorado and will be a junior in eligibility.
AS A JUNIOR: He is 12th in the MIAA in tackles for loss. He had five solo tackles, two of them going for a loss at Central Oklahoma. He had three tackles in his Hornet debut against Northeastern State.
AT NORTHERN COLORADO: He played in seven games last season. He saw action in three games as a redshirt-freshman in 2019.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a Second-Team All-Conference performer at Edmond Memorial HS. He lettered in football,basketball and track.

COULD HAVE BEEN A FARMER
Cornerback Roderick Farmer (Soph.-TR/Memphis, Tenn.) is a transfer from Coffeyville CC.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He had three tackles and two pass break ups at Central Oklahoma. He was credited with one tackle against Northeastern State but was featured on ESPN's College Game Day TikTok account for his post game dance moves.
PREVIOUSLY: He spent last season at Coffeyville CC after originally signing with Delta State after graduating from White Station HS in Memphis.

ARICH'S AMBUSH
Safety Arich Ansley (Soph./Oklahoma City HS) was third in the MIAA with two forced fumbles and tied for 12th with two interceptions last season.
AS A FRESHMAN: He had four tackles against Lincoln and at Fort Hays State. He had an interception, a pass break up and four solo tackles against Missouri Southern. He had four solo tackles and forced two fumbles against Neb.-Kearney. One of his forced fumbles prevented a Loper touchdown. He had three tackles and an interception at Central Missouri. He had a fumble recovery against Washburn.
IN HIGH SCHOOL:  He was Honorable Mention OCA All-State and All-City for Putnam City HS.

RUNNING UP THAT HILL
Defensive back Andrew Kayhill (Soph./Greenwood, Mo.) is in his third year with the Hornets and may play at both the safety and cornerback position.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He as a Second-Team All-Conference performer at Lee's Summit West HS.

SIM CITY
Safety Mike Sims (Sr./Woodbridge, Va.) is a graduate transfer from Central Washington.
AT CENTRAL WASHINGTON: He appeared in 10 of 11 games for the Wildcats and finished the season with 15 total tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS
The Hornets return three All-MIAA picks including an All-American on special teams from last season. The three were the most by any school in the MIAA to earn at least third-team all-conference honors. This year Emporia State is third in the MIAA and is ranked 31st in the nation in kickoff returns while ranking fourth in the league and 22nd in the country in net punting.

RETURN SPECIALISTS
Returner Billy Ross Jr. (Soph./Oklahoma City, Okla.) was a Third-Team All-MIAA pick at returner last season. He was 12th in the MIAA in all-purpose yardage. He led the league and ranked third in the nation in punt return touchdowns while ranking fourth in the MIAA in punt return average and fifth in kick-off return average.
He did not return kicks at Central Oklahoma after moving into the starting lineup at running back. He had a 16 yard punt return against Northeastern State in addition to his 59 rushing and 13 receiving yards.
Kick returner Dexton Swinehart (Jr./Lyndon, Kan.) had two kickoff returns for a total of 32 yards at Central Oklahoma.  
Punt returner Wil Amos (Jr./Afton, Okla.) returned one punt at Central Oklahoma.

WAY/NO WAY
Punter Ross Brungardt (Jr./Lawrence, Kan.) was a First-Team All-MIAA pick, a Football Gazette honorable mention All-American and a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-District performer last season.  He is second in the MIAA and fourth in the nation in punting this season.
AS A JUNIOR: He averaged 46.0 yards on eight punts with a long of 65 yards at Central Oklahoma. He averaged 43.2 yards per punt on five punts against Northeastern State. Four of his five punts went at least 42 yards and the only punt under 40 yards was fair caught at the RiverHawk eight yard line.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He led the MIAA and ranked fifth in the nation in average punt and has a league high 20 punts of at least 50 yards - twice as many as the next punter -  and placed 17 punts inside the 20 yard line. He had a punt of at least 50 yards in every game last season and one of at least 60 yards in five games. He had two punts of over 50 yards against Southeastern Oklahoma in the Live United Bowl. He averaged 39.8 yards on a season high nine punts at Northwest Missouri with a long of 60 yards. He averaged 46.7 yards on three punts against Lincoln. He averaged 45.6 yards per punt with half of them inside the 20 yard line at Fort Hays State. He averaged 39.5 yards per punt against Missouri Southern, the only game he has averaged less than 40 yards this year. He averaged 49.0 yards on four punts with two of them inside the 20 yard line against UNK. He was not called on to punt at Central Missouri. He averaged 48.8 yards on nine punts against Washburn and the only punt that did not go 40 yards went out of bounds at the WU 15 yard line. He averaged 45.6 yards on five punts with a long of 64 yards at Pittsburg State. He averaged 42.8 yards on eight punts with a long of 61 at Mo. Western. He averaged 42.6 yards on nine punts including a long of 64 yards against UCO. He averaged 46.0 yards on six punts, placing two inside the 20 yard line with three of at least 50 yards at Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN: He was second in the MIAA in fair catches forced, third with nine punts of at least 50 yards and punts inside the 20 yard line. His 67 yarder against Neb.-Kearney was tied for the fourth longest in the league in 2019. He averaged 39.4 yards on eight punts at Missouri Southern. He was credited with six punts for an average of 40.3 yards against Central Missouri. He averaged 40.8 yards per punt on eight punts at Fort Hays State. He averaged 41.2 yards on eight punts a long of 58 yards and three inside the 20 against Northwest Missouri. He averaged 36.5 yards on two punts at Lincoln with one of them inside the 20 yard line. He averaged 40.7 yards per punt with a 35.4 yard net against Neb.-Kearney. He averaged 38.0 yards per punt at Pittsburg State. He had four punts for 33.0 yard average with two of them placed inside the 20 yard line against Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He had six punts of at least 50 yards for Lawrence HS.

CLYDESDALE
Kicker Sam Dobbins (Sr./Emporia, Kan.) was named Second-Team All-MIAA as a kicker. He has gone 73 of 79 on PAT in his career and has made seven field goals.
AS A SENIOR: He averaged 62.0 yards on three kickoffs at Central Oklahoma and did not have a touchback. He missed his first PAT of the season in Edmond. He went six for six on PATS and averaged 58.4 yards per kick-off with one touchback against Northeastern State. The RiverHawks average starting field position was their own 25 following kick-offs.
AS A JUNIOR: He was sixth in the MIAA with five field goals made and went 45 of 46 on PAT. He was an MIAA best 45 for 46 on PATs and averaged 58.3 yards per kickoff with 21 touchbacks. He executed a successful on-side kick against Neb.-Kearney. He had a career long 39 yard field goal at Central Missouri. He had a 30 yard field goal at Missouri Western.  He gave ESU the lead with a 22 yard field against Central Oklahoma. He hit a 34 yard field goal at Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He handled kick-offs at home. He averaged 56.0 yards per kick on 41 kick-offs with ten touchbacks. He averaged 61.2 yards on ten kick-offs against Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN: He missed seven games with an injury. He hit both field goals made by the Hornets last year, connecting on tries from 30 and 24 yards against Missouri Southern.  He was 19 of 23 on PATs and at one point hit 18 straight. He averaged 47.7 yards on three punts with a 55 yarder in Emporia State's Corsicana Bowl win.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was an all-state kicker as a junior for Emporia HS.

CAPTAINS
This year's team captains are linebackers Dawson Hammes, defensive back Jaedon Pool, S-back Dalton Cowan, receiver Corey Thomas, offensive lineman Conner Lierz and quarterback Braden Gleason.

THE POLLS SAY
The MIAA has two teams ranked in the top 25 in this week's AFCA national poll and four in the D2Football.com national poll with four teams receiving votes in the AFCA poll. By getting votes after the first week, the Hornets have been ranked or received votes in the AFCA Poll at some point during the regular season for eight straight years. Emporia State is 8-15 against teams ranked in the AFCA Top 25 over the last seven years, with an 8-5 record against teams other than Northwest Missouri.

BEST IN THE STATE  
Emporia State's three NCAA playoff appearances and six total years in the post season are the most among Division II teams in the state since 2012. Their 70 victories are the second most wins among NCAA schools in the state of Kansas in that time.

HEAD COACH GARIN HIGGINS
Former Hornet Garin Higgins is in his 15th season as the Hornets head coach in 2022 and has moved into the top ten of the MIAA's all-time wins list and is the second winningest active coach in the league. He has taken his alma mater to the postseason six times, including a national quarterfinal appearance in 2015.
He ranks second in career wins at Emporia State behind stadium namesake Fran Welch's 115 wins from 1928-54. He has a 140-84 record in 20 seasons as a head coach with an 89-75 record in 15 seasons at his alma mater.  
His 89 wins are the second most in Emporia State history behind Fan Welch's 115 from 1928-54 and ranks tenth in MIAA history. He has built the Hornets the right way during his 15 seasons and orchestrated one of the great turnarounds in Emporia State history. The Hornets have gone 70-39 after going 19-36 in his first five seasons.
He is the 21st head football coach at Emporia State, was the first to lead the Hornets to ten wins in two different seasons and has done it in three seasons with three different quarterbacks. He has coached in more post season games than any one in Emporia State history. He completed his ninth season by taking his alma mater deeper into the NCAA Division II playoffs than ever before in 2015 while winning seven more games than in 2014. In 2013 he became just the second coach to take the Hornets to the NCAA Playoffs and is one of just six Emporia State coaches to take the Hornets to a post season game of any type.
He had led the Hornets to within just one game of a post season berth in 2010 and 2011 before winning the Kanza Bowl in 2012 and was one win away in 2017. He joins Larry Kramer, Fran Welch and Bill Hargis as the only Emporia State coaches to have a span of four straight winning seasons.
He compiled a 51-9 record as the head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State University before becoming the co-offensive coordinator at Minnesota State in 2005. He was the offensive coordinator at Northeastern State in 2006.  While at Northwestern Oklahoma State, he was named the Central State Football League Coach of the Year five straight years from 2000 through 2004. The Rangers won 31 consecutive games from 1998 through 2000.
A native of Blackwell, Okla., Higgins graduated from Emporia State in 1992. He was a four-year letterman for the Hornets and helped lead the team to a national runner-up finish in 1989. He has been involved with four teams that have played for or won national championships as a player, coordinator or head coach. Higgins and his wife Heather, a 1995 graduate of ESU, are the parents of three children - son Halen and daughters Harlee and Gracyn.

THE NFL EXPERIENCE
The Hornets have had 16 players play in one of the major professional football leagues.  Two Hornets have won Super Bowl rings - Kelly Goodburn with the Washington Redskins and Leon Lett with the Dallas Cowboys. Jeff Richards appeared in the playoffs in 2019 with the Los Angeles Chargers after winning a Grey Cup with the Ottawa Redblacks in the CFL in 2016. Adam Schiltz saw action in exhibition games with the Chiefs in 2015 while Austin Willis played in exhibition action for the Buffalo Bills in 2016. Harold Ayodele was a part of the Kansas City Chiefs during training camp and saw action in exhibition games in 2011. Higgins has coached four players that have gone on to play in the NFL regular season - Jeff Richards with the Chargers, Lynn Scott with the Dallas Cowboys, Sam Breeden with the Green Bay Packers, and Patrick Crayton with the Cowboys and San Diego Chargers. Most recently Jeff Richards appeared in six regular season and two playoff games in for the Chargers in 2018. Three former Hornets - Adam Schiltz with the Kansas City Chiefs, Austin Willis with the Buffalo Bills, Harold Ayodele with the Chiefs have appeared in NFL Preseason games since in 2011.
Both Jeff Richards and Patrick Crayton spent time on the Emporia State coaching staff.

LISTEN & WATCH LIVE
Video webcasts for all of Emporia State's regular season games are available on a pay per view basis from the MIAA Digital Network. The MIAA Network content is available live and is immediately archived for on-demand viewing after each event.  Fans can find the action on www.themiaanetwork.com and on The MIAA Network apps for Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku.
Audio of all Emporia State games are available on KFFX 104.9FM and at www.kvoe.com with ESU Hall of Honor members Greg Rahe and Fred McClain on the call along with Tagan Trahoon on the sidelines. KFFX is in their 35th straight year as the radio home of Hornet Athletics, the longest active streak between a commercial station and an MIAA school.

DID YOU CATCH IT
The 2021 Pittsburg State game was the 22nd time the Hornets have played a game on live television since 1997. The Emporia State football game at Northwest Missouri on Saturday, November 7, 2015 was selected for the DII Football Showcase on the American Sports Network, giving the Hornets three televised games that season. For the entire six year run of the MIAA Television Network the Hornets had a home game featured, capped by their 45-34 win over Central Missouri in the 2015 home opener. The Hornets are third behind Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri for the most appearances on live television over the last ten years. The Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 game against Missouri Western was the first televised match-up of nationally ranked teams from Jones Field at Welch Stadium.

A Hornet win would...
•make Emporia State 2-1 overall, 2-1 in the MIAA;
•make Emporia State 17-27 all-time against Missouri Western;
•snap a three game winning streak by the Griffons in the series;
•be the Hornets first win over the Griffons in Emporia since 2017;
•be Emporia State's second straight year to open up 2-1;
•make Coach Higgins 90-75 at Emporia State and 141-84 overall.

A Hornet loss would...
•make Emporia State 1-2 overall, 1-2 in the MIAA;
•make Emporia State 16-28 all-time against Missouri Western;
•be the Hornets fourth straight loss to the Griffons;
•make Coach Higgins 89-76 at Emporia State and 140-85 overall.

WORKING OVERTIME
• The Hornets are 6-8 in overtime games with wins in six of their last eight after dropping their first four extra period contests.
• Emporia State is 4-1 in overtime games under Garin Higgins with wins in the last four games.
• The quadruple overtime game in 2006 between Emporia State and Pittsburg State was the first MIAA regular season game to go to four overtimes and the first involving an MIAA team since Northwest Missouri's 4 OT win against Carson Newman in the 1999 National Championship Game.
• The 18 point deficit (28-10) in the second quarter at Minnesota State is the largest deficit Emporia State has overcome to win a game as an NCAA school.
• Emporia State has twice overcome a 17 point deficit at the half for a win in MIAA play. Most recently they trailed 17-0 at Neb.-Kearney before rallying for a 20-17 win in 2018. The first was against Missouri Southern in 2011 when the Hornets trailed 17-0 and eventually won 31-24 in Welch Stadium.
• Emporia State came from 17-0 down at the end of the first quarter to defeat Ft. Hays State 24-17 to open the 1992 season.