#11 Hornets Fall 36-7 to Fort Hays State on rainy Saturday in Welch Stadium

November 2, 2024-On a rainy day that included two lightning delays, #11 Emporia State fell 36-7 to Fort Hays State on Saturday afternoon in Welch Stadium.
 
After a three and out to start the game by the Hornets, the Tigers went 60 yards on ten plays before settling for a 30 yard field goal from Carson Arndt with 9:34 left in the first quarter. After gaining a first down on the ensuing possession, a snap went over quarterback Gunnar Gundy's head to setup up a second and 33. On fourth and 22 from their own 27 the snap went over punter Caden Dodson's head and through the endzone for a safety as Fort Hays State took a 5-0 lead with 7:39 left in the first quarter.  At that point the first lightning delay occurred and the teams went to the locker rooms.
 
After play resumed the two teams traded punts to end the quarter. On the first play of the second quarter Shane Watts broke through for a 43 yard touchdown to give Fort Hay State a 12-0 lead. The Hornets got on the board with 4:40 left in the half when Tyler Kahmann took a pass from Gundy and went 45 yards for a touchdown to make it 12-7.  The Tigers answered with a 69 yard touchdown run by Watts to go up 19-7 with 3:53 left in the half and that would be the score at the break.
 
A second lightning delay came as the teams came out of the locker room to start the second half.  After the delay Watts carried the ball three times for 68 yards including a 54 yard run before Caleb Heavner scored from seven yards out to give the Tigers a 26-7 lead with 13:14 left in the third quarter.  FHSU would go up 33-7 with 3:28 left in the quarter on a seven yard touchdown from Heavner to Jabari Lewis.  The Tigers got the ball back when Myles Menges grabbed a deflected pass with 2:24 left in the third.  The Hornet defense stepped up and forced a 28 yard field goal attempt that was blocked by Tyler Schultze with 50 seconds left in the period.
 
In the fourth quarter the Hornets got to the Tiger 44 yard line but could not convert on fourth down to give the ball back to FHSU with 9:40 left.  Emporia State got a fourth down stop of their own on the next play but could not get a first down before punting it back to Fort Hays State. The Hornets forced a three and out to get the ball back with 3:23 left.  On first down the ball slipped out of quarterback Chase Ricke's hand as he was preparing to throw and the Tigers recovered with 3:15 left.  They would convert a 36 yard field goal from Arndt with 1:13 left for the final score.
 
The Hornets were held to just 165 yards of total offense while allowing 414 yards.  Gunnar Gundy was 17 of 29 for 133 yards with a touchdown and an interception.  Tyler Kahmann had five catches for 84 yards and a score while Billy Ross Jr. gained 28 yards on 12 rushes.  Shane Watt had 250 rushing yards on 28 carries for the Tigers.
 
Caleb Mondi led Emporia State with ten tackles including a career high three sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss.

Emporia State will be back in action on Saturday, November 9 when they play host to Central Missouri.  Kick-off from Jones Field at Welch Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m. on Salute to Service and Senior Day for the Hornets.
 
NOTES
Tyler Kahmann now has 3,267 career receiving yards and broke Lester McCoy's Emporia State career record of 3,213 set from 1997-2000.  Kahmann has moved up to seventh in MIAA history in career receiving yards.