HORNETS HELD TO 13 POINTS DESPITE 468 YARDS OF OFFENSE IN LOSS AT UCO

September 8, 2022-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 on Thursday night in Edmond, Okla.
 
Both teams struggled offensively to start the game. Emporia State finally broke through midway through the quarter.  After taking over on the UCO 41 yard line Braden Gleason found Billy Ross Jr. for a 34 yard gain down to the Broncho seven.  After a one yard run by Ross, Gleason scrambled to his right and scored from six yards out to give the Hornets a 7-0 lead with 6:47 left in the first quarter.
 
Central Oklahoma tied the game on their first drive of the second quarter.  Stephon Brown scored from three yards out with 11:46 left in the half for the first Broncho score.  After back to back penalties on the Bronchos Nicky Quevedo converted the PAT to tie the score at 7-7 headed to the half.
 
Emporia State forced a punt on Central Oklahoma's opening drive of the second quarter and took over at their own 15 yard line.  Facing third and four from their own 21 yard line Gleason hit Corey Thomas in the right flat and he raced 79 yards down the sideline to give the Hornets the lead.  Sam Dobbins PAT attempt missed left as Emporia State took a 13-7 lead with 10:40 left in the third quarter.  Neither team could get going offensively the rest of the period as the Hornets led 13-7 going into the fourth quarter.
 
Facing fourth and three from the UCO 38 on the second play of the fourth quarter Gleason was hurried by Hunter Largent and his pass to Tyler Kahmann fell short.  UCO took over and went 62 yards in eight plays, converting on fourth and three from the 13 as Brown found Nasir Kemper for a touchdown. The PAT was good and UCO went up 14-13 with 11:10 left in the game.
 
The Hornets were forced to punt on their next possession and UCO took over at their own 22 yard line.  They would go 78 yards in nine plays, capped by a 19 yard run by Brown to take a 21-13 lead with 5:15 left in the game.
 
After an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against UCO was assessed on the kickoff, Emporia State took over on their own 32 yard line.  Gleason hit six of his next seven passes to put the Hornets in first and goal at the UCO ten yard line.  After two incomplete passes he hit Tyler Kahmann for five yards down to the Broncho five yard line  On fourth and goal his pass to Cole Schumacher was incomplete give the ball back to UCO with 2:18 left.
 
The Hornet defense 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 and secure the win for UCO.
 
Braden Gleason finished the game 28 of 44 for 411 yards and a touchdown while adding another rushing touchdown.  He connected with eight receivers on the night.  Billy Ross Jr had seven catches for 96 yards to go with eight carries for 23 yards on the ground.  Corey Thomas had two catches for 84 yards and a touchdown.  Defensively Declan Haub had a team high 11 tackles while Cade Harelson added ten tackles.
 
The Hornets will be back in action on Saturday, September 17 when they play host to Missouri Western.  Kick-off from Jones Field at Welch Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m.
 
NOTES
Gleason's 411 yards was the first 400 yard passing game by a Hornet since he threw for 497 yards against Central Missouri on October 9, 2021.
It was Gleason's eighth 300 yard passing game in his last 14 starts.