#20 Emporia State Football falls to Central Missouri 45-36

November 9, 2024-Two deflected passes took away a possible seven points from Emporia State and gave Central Missouri seven in a 45-36 Mule victory over the #20 Hornets on Saturday afternoon in Welch Stadium.

The Mules got on the board first with a 21 yard field goal from Brett Grupe with 9:29 left in the first quarter.  The Hornets drove the ball down to the UCM seven yard line but Gunnar Gundy's pass would be deflected at the goal line and intercepted by Drew Kauffman to end the threat with 7:38 left in the quarter. Emporai State would eventually take the lead on a two yard pass from Gunnar Gundy to Tyler Kahmann with 2:10 left in the opening period. 

UCM retook the lead on an eight yard touchdown pass from Zach Zebrowski to Zach Phipps with 10:47 left in the half.  After a three and out by ESU, the Mules took advantage of a wind aided short punt and went 46 yards in five plays, capped by a three yard touchdown run from LaAngelo Bell to go up 17-7 with 7:06 left in the half.  The Hornets answered right back with an eight play, 75 yard drive that saw them convert two third down plays of at least 15 yards.  Gundy found a wide open Mason Ford in the end zone for a 28 yard touchdown that pulled ESU within 17-14.  The Mules ended the first half scoring with a two yard touchdown run by Bell at the 30 second mark as they took a 24-14 lead into the locker room.
 
Emporia State received the second half kick-off but on the first play from scrimmage Gundy's pass was deflected into the air and Kaufman grabbed it to go 35 yards for a touchdown and 31-14 lead for the Mules just ten seconds into the second half.  The Hornets answered with a six play 75 yard drive that was capped by a 52 yard pass from Gundy to Kingsley Bennett with 12:21 remaining to make it 31-21.  The back and forth continued as Zebrowski hit Derrick Rose for a 12 yard touchdown with 8:04 left in the half before Gundy connected with Kahmann again for a 12 yard touchdown with 6:49 left following a 55 yard run by Gundy to make it 38-28.
 
The teams traded punts to start the fourth quarter before the Mules took over with 13:01 left.  It took UCM six plays from the one yard line, aided by a penalty on ESU, before Zebrowski hit Phipps for a one yard touchdown with 4:30 left in the game.   Emporia State took over at their own seven with and on the second play Gundy had his helmet knocked off.  Chase Ricke came in and immediately connected with Tyler Kahmann for an 86 yard touchdown.  Gundy hit Trenden Collins in the endzone for the two point conversion with 3:45 left to pull within 45-36.  The Hornets onside attempt was recovered by Central Missouri but the Hornets were able to force a three and out when Caleb Mondi sacked Zebrowski on third down. Emporia State converted a third down and two fourth downs on the ensueing drive but ran out of time before they could get on the board.
 
Gunnar Gundy went 30 of 51 for 341 yards with four touchdowns and added 100 yards rushing on eight carries for the Hornets.  Tyler Kahmann had 12 catches for 228 yards and three scores.
 
Emporia State will wrap up the regular season on Saturday, November 16 at Central Oklahoma.  Kick-off from Edmond, Okla. is set for 1:00 p.m.

NOTES
Kahmann became the Emporia State career record holder with 270 receptions to pass Justin Brown's record of 260 set from 2014-18.
Kahmann is now third all-time in the MIAA in receptions with 270 and is fourth in career receiving yards with 3,495 yards.
Kahmann's 1,297 receiving yards this year ranks fourth all-time at ESU.
Kahmann's 228 yards today ranks third all-time in single game receiving at ESU.
Gundy became the first Hornet quarterback to run for 100 yards in a game since Brett Wilson gained 108 yards against Pittsburg State in 2015.