11th ranked Hornets fall 14-9 at Northwest Missouri

September 28, 2024-The #11 Hornets forced seven turnovers but went just one for five in the redzone in a 14-9 loss at Northwest Missouri on Saturday afternoon in Maryville, Mo.
 
Neither team could score in the first quarter as both teams missed field goals it the opening 15 minutes.  The Bearcats Noah Guastella missed a 44 yard attempt on their opening drive. The Hornets Caden Dodson missed a 35 yarder with 4:22 left in the opening quarter on a drive that started at the Bearcat 18 yard line following a Caleb Mondi strip sack of NWMSU quarterback Chris Ruhnke that was recovered by Kaden Fields.  On the second play from scrimmage for the Bearcats after the miss, Tyler Schultze forced a fumble by Dominic Myers that was recovered by Kobe Holley at the Northwest 19 yard line.  The Hornets would gain three yards before Dodson's 33 yard field goal attempt was blocked by Langden Kitchen with 2:39 left to keep the game scoreless in the first.
 
On the first play of the second quarter Ruhnke was intercepted by Danarius Hollywood in the endzone.  After a three and out Dodson launched a 58 yard punt that Myers lost thee yards on before Jaaron Joseph forced a fumble that Shep Waldrop recovered at the Bearcat 12 yard line.  Three plays later Gunnar Gundy found Tyler Kahmann in the endzone for an 11 yard touchdown to give the Hornets a 7-0 lead. With 13:18 left in the half. 
 
The Bearcats put together their best drive of the first half on the ensuing possession, going 75 yards on ten plays and tied the game on a four yard run by Henry Martin with 8:33 left in the half.  The teams remained locked at 7-7 until the less than two minutes remained in the half.  Dodson got off a 58 yard punt that was downed at the one yard line. On the first play from scrimmage Tank Young was tackled in the endzone by Cade Stephenson to give the Hornets a safety and a 9-7 lead with 1:50 left in the half. 
 
Chase Ricke, who had come in on the previous possession for an injured Gundy, led the Horents to the NWMSU 35 yard line but his fourth down pass to Zion Jones was broken up by Austin McKinney.  The half ended when Kobe Holley picked off Ruhnke in the endzone as the Hornets took a 9-7 lead into the break.
 
Neither team scored in the third quarter with the best chance coming on the Hornets second drive.  Ricke went four of five for 24 yards and added a nine yard rush to get Emporia State down to the Bearcat two yard line.  His fourth down throw to Kahmann in the endzone was incomplete turning the ball over on downs.   With the wind at their back, the Bearcats called timeout with two seconds left in the quarter to attempt a 55 yard field goal by Cole Lammell that fell well short as the Hornets took a 9-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
 
After a three and out to start the fourth quarter by Emporia State, Northwest Missouri went 86 yards on eight plays to take a 14-9 lead with 11:05 left on a 29 yard touchdown pass from Ruhnke to Luke Matthews.  The Bearcats converted twice on third down during the drive.
 
The Hornets were forced to punt on their next possession but would get the ball back when Arich Ansley picked off Runhke with 5:36 left.   Emporia State got to their own 47 yard line before a sack pushed them back to the 37 and forced a punt with 2:42 left.  The Hornet defense forced a three and out and Emporia State got the ball back at the NWMSU 42 yard line following a 27 yard punt with 1:45 left in the game.  A 14 yard scramble by Ricke got the Hornets to the 28 and a nine yard pass to Trenden Collins gave ESU a second and one at the 19 yard line.  The two hooked up again on a third and one, this one for five yards down to the Bearcat 14 yard line. The first down pass was broken up by the Bearcats Mayes Doggan. On second down Ricke's pass to Collins was just out of reach and on the play Ricke had his helmet knocked off. With no timeouts left Emporia State went to red shirt freshman Mason Dennis who was sacked for a loss of two.  Facing fourth and 12 from the 16 Ricke returned to the game and his pass to Kahmann in the endzone was broken up by Shane Fredrickson to preserve the Bearcat win.
 
Chase Ricke went 19 of 39 for 111 yards through the air with 29 yards on eight rushes in relief of Gunnar Gundy.  Gundy was six of 21 for 50 yards with a touchdown and an interception before leaving the game with an injury in the second quarter.  Tyler Kahmann had nine catches for 60 yards and a touchdown.  Defensively Jaaron Joseph had ten tackles, a forced fumble and two pass break ups.  Kobe Holley had six tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. Caleb Mondi had six tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss with a forced fumble while Rafe Goucher added six tackles, three for a loss and  pass batted down. Emporia State also got interceptions from Arich Ansley, Peyton Taylor and Danarius Hollywood while Shep Waldrop recovered a fumble.
 
The Hornets are back in action on Saturday, October 5 when they play host to Northeastern State.  Kick-off for the Hornets Homecoming contest is set for 2:00 p.m. on Jones Field at Welch Stadium.
 
NOTES
The Hornets saw their eight game winning streak come to an end. It had been the second longest active streak in the nation entering play on Saturday.
The Hornets safety was their first in 26 games since recording one against Missouri Western in 2022.
The blocked field goal was the first against the Hornets since Sam Roberts of Northwest Missouri blocked one in 2017.