October 4, 2025 – Emporia State scored in all three phases against Missouri Western on Saturday night on their way to a 50-14 road win from Spratt Stadium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets got the jump on the Griffons on the first drive of the game, as
Nehemiah Figueroa intercepted just the third pass of the game, which set up Emporia State in Griffon territory. In just four plays, which included two completions to
Malik O'Atis, the Hornets took a 7-0 lead. Emporia State doubled their lead following a three and out by the Griffons, as a blocked punt and recovery in the end zone by
Divante Herrig-Brittian made the score 14-0 in the first four minutes.
The defense again forced a three and out, and the offense went back to work, quickly moving down the field. Emporia State went 57 yards in eight plays, with
Ben Harris finding
Kingsley Bennett as the lead grew to 21-0 at the 8:54 mark of the first quarter. The score would hold at 21-0 for nearly the remainder of the quarter, before Harris found Bennett again with four seconds left in the first to make the score 28-0.
Emporia State's final score of the first half came at the 10:29 mark of the second frame, with
Camden Crooks scoring from one yard out to make the score 35-0. Missouri Western would find the end zone with two minutes left until the break and the score would hold at 35-7 entering halftime.
A
Caden Dodson field goal in the third quarter, followed by a pick six by
Aidan Hicks and a
Max Middleton rushing touchdown rounded out the scoring for Emporia State as the Hornets finished off their 50-14 win over the Griffons.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Ben Harris passed for 254 yards and three touchdowns, as he has now passed for multiple touchdowns in all five games this season.
Camden Crooks had 106 total yards of offense and a touchdown.
Malik O'Atis had five catches for 62 yards and a touchdown, while
Kingsley Bennett four catches and 58 yards with two scores.
Defensively,
Landon Boss and
Elon McKenzie each had two sacks in the game.
Aidan Hicks and
Nehemiah Figueroa both had interceptions, with Hicks returning his for a touchdown.
NOTES
First blocked punt return for TD since 2010 when Taylor Beitler blocked and Corey Jones recovered vs Truman State.
First pick six since
Jaaron Joseph vs NWMSU last year.
First win at MWSU since 2016.
First time in the Hornets NCAA Division II era to hold an opponent to negative rushing yards.
Garin Higgins is now one win shy of tying Fran Welch for most wins in school history.
