September 16, 2023-The #12 Hornets went up 14-0 in the first 3:06 of the game and never looked back in a 38-0 win at Northeastern State on Saturday night. The win was head coach
Garin Higgins 100
th at Emporia State.
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Emporia State's
Zion Jones returned the opening kick off back to the RiverHawk 21 yard line. Three plays later
Braden Gleason hit
Jaylen Varner for a three yard touchdown as the Hornets took a 7-0 lead. Emporia State then forced a three and out and took over on their own 20 yard line. On the next play from scrimmage Gleason found Varner streaking down the field for an 80 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 with 12:04 left in the opening quarter.
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After another three and out from the defense, the Horent offense went on a 12 play, 66 yard drive before settling for a 26 yard field goal from
Caden Dodson to take a 17-0 lead with 5:32 left in the opening frame. On the ensuing RiverHawk possession Zac Dortch Jr. picked off a pass at the NSU 46 yard line. Six plays later Gleason and Varner hooked up for their third touchdown of the quarter to give Emporia State a 24-0 lead.
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Emporia State forced a punt on the first NSU possession of the second quarter and proceeded to go on a 13 play, 70 yard drive capped by a one yard touchdown run by
Billy Ross Jr. That would wrap up the first half scoring as the Hornets took 31-0 lead into the break.Â
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Gleason would end his day after one half and finished 18 of 20 for 219 yards and three touchdowns.Â
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Neither team scored in the third quarter and
Chase Ricke hit
Trenden Collins for a seven yard touchdown with 8:36 left in the game to wrap up the scoring. The defense would hold for two more RiverHawk possessions as Emporia State posted their first shut out in 40 games with the 38-0 win.
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Billy Ross Jr. led the Hornets on the ground with 97 yards on 22 carries and a touchown. Varner was credited with 117 yards on four catches as 11 different Hornets caught a pass.
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Emporia State returns to Welch Stadium on Saturday, September 23 when they play host to Central Oklahoma. Kick-off is set for 1:00 p.m.
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