Red Dirt Road Trip for Emporia State Football

Hornets head to Edmond to take on Bronchos

2025 Emporia State Football Game Note Graphics at UCO

Football | 10/16/2025 3:10:00 PM

Game #7
Emporia State Hornets (3-3, 2-2 MIAA)
at Central Oklahoma Bronchos (3-3, 3-2 MIAA)

Saturday, October 18 • 7:00 p.m.
Chad Richison Stadium • Edmond, Okla.
Series Record: UCO Leads 13-11-1 Last Meeting:  at #8 UCO 55, ESU 38 (11/16/24)
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 6:00 p.m. 
Internet (Audio): www.kvoe.com Internet (Video): The MIAA Network Television: None
Live Stats | Ticket Info | Complete Notes in pdf
Officials: Announced on Game Day
Up Next: at Central Missouri
Saturday, October 25 • 1:300 p.m.
Walton Stadium • Warrensburg, Mo.

ANOTHER RED DIRT ROAD TRIP 
Emporia State travels to Edmond, Okla. for the second straight year to take on Central Oklahoma.

LAST TIME OUT
Emporia State got out to an early 28-7 lead and held on to give head coach Garin Higgins his 116th career win and tie Fran Welch for the most wins in Hornet Football history.
For the second straight game the Hornets held their opponent to under 50 yards rushing, thanks in part ot Landon Boss' school record tying four sacks. He recorded 11 total tackles a forced fumble, an interception and a quarterback hurry.
Offensively Ben Harris went 28 of 39 for 273 yards and a touchdown while adding 32 yards on seven carries with a score on the ground. He connected with 11 different receivers led by Kingsley Bennet with seven catches for 91 yards while Malik O'Atis had three receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown.  Diego Cearns had 46 yards on six carries with two touchdowns while Camden Crooks added 43 yards on 15 rushes.

THE COACHES
Garin Higgins has a career record of 167-96 in his 22nd season as a head coach. He is 116-87 in his 18th season at his alma mater. He has tied Fran Welch's school record of 116 wins from 1928-54. He is the winningest active coach in the MIAA and has the fifth most wins among MIAA coaches in history. He has led the Hornets to the post season in eight of the last 12 seasons with three NCAA Playoffs and a national semifinal appearance in 2015. He had a 51-9 career record at Northwestern Oklahoma, including two trips to the national championship game. Higgins was a quarterback for Emporia State from 1987-90 and was on the 1989 national runners-up team.  He is 10-4 against Central Oklahoma. 
Adam Dorrell is 25-16 his fourth season at Central Oklahoma and is 120-56 in his 15th season overall. He is 10-1 overall against Emporia State with a 2-1 record at Central Oklahoma.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 3-3, 2-2 in the MIAA. They are fifth in the nation in passing offense and 19th in total offense. ESU leads the nation with four blocked punts and are fourth in net punting. They are second in the MIAA in red zone defense. Nationally Ben Harris is second in passing yards and total offense while Malik O'Atis is second in receptions per game. Dylan Davidson is leading the nation in punting and Caden Dodson has the top field goal percentage. Landon Boss is fifth nationally in sacks and eight in tackles for loss.

SCOUTING THE BRONCHOS
Central Oklahoma is 3-3, 3-2 in the MIAA. They are ranked 24th in the nation in rushing offense. William Mason is 15th in the nation in rushing.
 
THE SERIES
This will be the 26th meeting between the two schools with Central Oklahoma leading 13-11-1 overall. The Hornets have won eight of 12 meetings in MIAA play.

LAST TIME AGAINST CENTRAL OKLA.
Senior receiver Tyler Kahmann set the Emporia State single season receiving record in a 55-38 loss at #8 Central Oklahoma. Chase Ricke hit Kahmann for a 60 yard touchdown with 7:18 left that got Emporia State within ten at 41-31.  Dawson Herl found Dominique Dunn for a five yard touchdown with 5:47 left to make it 48-31. Kahmann and Ricke connected again with 2:47 left, this time on a two yard pass to get within 48-38. The onside kick attempt was recovered by the Bronchos. UCO scored the final points on a 12 yard rush by Mason with 1:05 left. Kahmann finished with 191 yards on 12 receptions with two touchdowns and added a pass completion of 37 yards.  Ricke was 28 of 43 for 394 yards and three touchdowns while adding a team high 33 rushing yards on five carries with a touchdown.  Trenden Collins had a career high 12 receptions and 178 yards with a touchdown. Cade Stephenson led Emporia State with eight tackles and a pass break up.

UP NEXT
The Hornets stay on the road to take on Central Missouri on Oct. 25. Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m.

Complete Notes available here
Follow the Hornets on Social Media
X/Twitter: @ESUSports   
Instagram: emporiastatesports
Facebook: EmporiaStateAthletics 
YouTube: ESUAthletics
 
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Players Mentioned

Tyler Kahmann

#3 Tyler Kahmann

WR
6' 3"
Graduate Student
Chase Ricke

#14 Chase Ricke

QB
6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
Malik O

#13 Malik O'Atis

WR
5' 10"
Redshirt Sophomore
Cade Stephenson

#9 Cade Stephenson

LB
6' 0"
Junior
Diego Cearns

#2 Diego Cearns

RB
5' 10"
Redshirt Sophomore
Trenden Collins

#4 Trenden Collins

WR
6' 0"
Junior
Dylan Davidson

#83 Dylan Davidson

P/K
6' 1"
Redshirt Freshman
Caden Dodson

#1 Caden Dodson

P/K
6' 3"
Senior
Ben Harris

#5 Ben Harris

QB
6' 0"
Junior
Landon Boss

#6 Landon Boss

LB
6' 1"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Tyler Kahmann

#3 Tyler Kahmann

6' 3"
Graduate Student
WR
Chase Ricke

#14 Chase Ricke

6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
QB
Malik O

#13 Malik O'Atis

5' 10"
Redshirt Sophomore
WR
Cade Stephenson

#9 Cade Stephenson

6' 0"
Junior
LB
Diego Cearns

#2 Diego Cearns

5' 10"
Redshirt Sophomore
RB
Trenden Collins

#4 Trenden Collins

6' 0"
Junior
WR
Dylan Davidson

#83 Dylan Davidson

6' 1"
Redshirt Freshman
P/K
Caden Dodson

#1 Caden Dodson

6' 3"
Senior
P/K
Ben Harris

#5 Ben Harris

6' 0"
Junior
QB
Landon Boss

#6 Landon Boss

6' 1"
Junior
LB