Football | 6/19/2024 3:05:00 PM

June 19, 2024-For the first time in school history, it was announced that Emporia State football will play a full 11 game schedule with a bye week this fall.  The Hornets will play a total of six home games in a renovated Welch Stadium this season.
 
It will be a game of firsts when Washburn comes to Jones Field at Welch Stadium in the second most played rivalry in NCAA Division II history on August 29. It will be the first ever Week 0 game for Emporia State and the first time the Turnpike Tussle has been played under the lights since a 35-27 Hornet victory on October 29, 1998.  It will be the first collegiate football game played under the new lights at Welch Stadium and the first game with the new chair back seating and bleachers that have been installed thanks to a partnership between Emporia State and the City of Emporia. The Hornets lead the series with the Ichabods 60-53-6 and have won nine of the last 11 meetings, including last year's 38-23 victory at Welch Stadium.
 
Emporia State will play their first regular season non-conference game in 13 years when they welcome Angelo State of the Lone Star Conference to Welch Stadium on September 7.  The last time Emporia State played a regular season non-conference game was November 5, 2011 when they defeated Southwest Baptist 42-28 and the first one at home since a 35-7 win over Langston (Okla.) on September 24, 2011. It is the first ever meeting between the Rams and the Hornets.
 
The first road trip of the season will be to Pittsburg State on September 14 in the seventh most played rivalry in NCAA Division II. At least one of these teams has advanced to the post season in 12 of the last 13 seasons with the Hornets going to the playoffs three times with five bowl games while the Gorillas have four playoff appearances and three bowls.
 
The Hornets return to Jones Field at Welch Stadium on September 21 for a Family Day contest with Missouri Western. Emporia State has won three of the last four meetings in Welch Stadium with the Griffons.
 
Emporia State will try to make it two in a row on September 28 when they return to Maryville, Mo. to take on Northwest Missouri.  The Hornets 33-13 win at Bearcat Stadium last season snapped a 29 game losing streak to the Bearcats.
 
Homecoming will be early this season, coming on October 5 when Emporia State plays host to Northeastern State.  This will be a non-conference game as the RiverHawks have been granted a two year leave of absence from the MIAA. The temporary leave allows Northeastern State a greater chance to gain success and rebuild its football program to MIAA standards. The Hornets have won 11 straight in the series.
 
Emporia State will not return to Welch Stadium for four weeks starting with a road trip to Missouri Southern on October 12 followed by the first bye week for the Hornets since the 2013 season. After the bye the Hornets will travel to Neb.-Kearney on October 26. Under Coach Higgins Emporia State is 1-0 in the regular season when coming off a bye and are 5-1 all-time when having an extra week to prepare for an opponent.
 
The Hornets have three games scheduled for November starting with a home contest against Fort Hays State. Emporia State has won three in a row in the series and have a 56-38-2 advantage all-time against the Tigers.
 
Senior Day will be on November 9 against Central Missouri in Welch Stadium.  Last year the two teams finished first and second in the MIAA in scoring offense, total offense and passing offense while meeting in the highest scoring game in the MIAA last season.
 
The final game of the year will be a road trip to Central Oklahoma on November 16. Emporia State has won four of the last five meetings with the Bronchos.
 
The Hornets are 18-6 over the last two seasons, the second-best record in the MIAA over that time.  Of the 22 position players that started the Heritage Bowl, Emporia State is set to return ten players on offense highlighted by All-American receiver Tyler Kahmann and seven on defense including All-MIAA defensive back Jaaron Joseph.  Last year was the eighth time in the last 11 seasons that Emporia State advanced to the post season.
 
Tickets for the 2024 season will go on sale in July. Welch Stadium is in the process of a renovation including new bench seating that was installed prior to the 2024 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships and new chair back seating that will be installed in July.
 
2024 Emporia State Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Location	Time
August 29	Washburn	Emporia, KS	7:00 p.m.
September 7	Angelo State	Emporia, KS	1:00 p.m.
September 14	at Pittsburg State	Pittsburg, KS	7:00 p.m.
September 21	Missouri Western	Emporia, KS	1:00 p.m.
September 28	at Northwest Missouri	Maryville, MO	1:30 p.m.
October 5	Northeastern State	Emporia, KS	2:00 p.m.
October 12	at Missouri Southern	Joplin, MO	1:00 p.m.
October 19	Bye Week
October 26	at Neb.-Kearney	Kearney, NE	2:00 p.m.
November 2	Fort Hays State	Emporia, KS	1:00 p.m.
November 9	Central Missouri	Emporia, KS	1:00 p.m.
November 16	at Central Oklahoma	Edmond, OK	1:00 p.m.
November 23	NCAA Playoffs First Round
November 30	NCAA Playoffs Second Round
	NCAA Division II Bowl Games
December 7	NCAA Playoffs Regional Championships
December 14	NCAA Playoffs National Semifinals
December 21	NCAA National Championship Game