Emporia State Football rolls to season opening 30-14 victory over Washburn

August 29, 2024-Emporia State scored 24 second half points on the way to a 30-14 Turnpike Tussle victory over Washburn on Thursday evening at Welch Stadium.
 
Gunnar Gundy had one of the best first starts at quarterback in Emporia State history, throwing for 292 yards and three touchdowns while adding 99 yards on the ground for 391 yards of total offense.
 
Neither team would score in the first quarter with Washburn missing a field goal with 10:35 left in the second quarter at the end of a 7:20 drive.  The Hornets answered with an 11 play, 62 yard drive capped off by a 29 yard field goal from Caden Dodson with 7:55 left in the half. Emporia State forced a three and out, in which the Ichabods lost two yards, on the next drive and went up 6-0 on a 38 yard field goal from Dodson with 4:45 left in the half.  After another three and out from the Hornet defense, Emporia State drove down to the Ichabod eight yard line with 40 seconds left in the half.  The Hornets had a chance to go up 13-0 but Gundy's pass was intercepted in the endzone with 3 seconds left as Emporia State took a 6-0 lead into the break.
 
Washburn received the kick to start the second half and on the third play from scrimmage Clem McCullough picked off Keller Hurla and returned it 37 yards down to the Wasbhurn 20 yard line.  Dodson would convert his third field goal of the game, this one from 22 yards out, to give the Hornets a 9-0 lead with 12:00 left in the third quarter.  The Ichabods then put together their best drive of the night, going 67 yards in ten plays before Cam Robinson scored from four yards out to pull WU within 9-7 with 7:14 left in the third. 
 
The Hornets next possession was plagued by two major penalties before Dodson got off a punt that was downed at the Hornet 47 yard line.  The three plays later Danarius Hollywood intercepted Hurla at the ESU nine yard line to end the drive. Emporia State then went 91 yards on 15 plays capped by a three yard touchdown pass from Gundy to Tyler Kahmann as time expired to give the Hornets a 16-7 lead going to the fourth quarter.
 
Emporia State forced a three an out on the first series of the fourth quarter to take over with 14:11 left in the game.  Gundy and Ethan Schultze would combine on the next five plays with Gundy gaining ten yards on the ground and connecting with Schultze for 57 yards capped off with a 27 yard touchdown at the 12:45 mark to give the Hornets a 23-7 lead. Emporia State went up 30-7 on a 57 yard touchdown from Gundy to Trenden Collins with 6:23 remaining.  Washburn got on the board for the final score with 1:53 left on a one yard touchdown run by Eli Garret to make it 30-14.  
 
Gunnar Gundy finished the night 27 of 41 for 292 yards and three touchdowns to go with 99 yards on 11 carries for 391 yards of total offense. He connected with nine different receivers led by Trenden Collins with seven catches for 88 yards and a touchdown while Ethan Schultze had four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.  Tyler Kahmann had a two catches for eight yards and touchdown while drawing three flags.
 
Bo Odom had a team high eight tackles while Tyler Schultze had two interceptions for 49 yards.  Danarius Hollywood and Clem McCullough also had interceptions for the Hornets.
 
The Hornets will be back in action on Saturday, September 7 when they play host to #24 Angelo State.  Kick-off for the MIAA TV Game of the Week is set for 1:00 p.m. from Jone Field at Welch Stadium.
 
NOTES
Gunnar Gundy's 391 yards of total offense is the most by a Hornet quarterback in his debut.
The Hornets have won four straight over the Ichabods, ten of the last 12 and lead the series 61-53-6.