Football | 11/6/2025 4:00:00 PM
Game #10
Emporia State Hornets (4-5, 3-4 MIAA)
at Washburn Ichabods (2-7, 1-6 MIAA)
Turnpike Tussle
Saturday, November 8 • 1:00 p.m.
Yager Stadium at Moore Bowl • Topeka, Kan.
Series Record: ESU Leads 61-53-6
Last Meeting: at ESU 30, WU 14 (8/29/24)
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 12:00 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: vs. Fort Hays State
Saturday, November 15 • 1:00 p.m.
Jones Field at Welch Stadium • Emporia, Kan.
TURNPIKE TUSSLE TIME
Emporia State travels to Topeka for the 121st edition of the Turnpike Tussle against Washburn.
LAST TIME OUT
A 20 point third quarter by Northwest Missouri opened the game in a 41-14 victory over Emporia State on Saturday at Welch Stadium.
After stopping the Bearcats on downs on their opening possession, the Hornets took a 7-0 lead on a 55 yard touchdown run by
Diego Cearns with 8:08 left in the first quarter. Northwest would score twice in the final four minutes of the quarter to take a 14-7 lead and neither team would score in the second quarter. The Bearcats scored twice in 19 seconds to go up 28-7 with 9:08 left in the third. NWMSU took a 34-7 lead with 4:00 left before
Jamison Sarver his
Malik O'Atis on an eight yard touchdown pass with 26 seconds left in the third quarter. The final score came on a Bearcat touchdown with 8:01 to go.
Cearns had a career high 122 yards on 17 carries for Emporia State. The Hornets were held to a season low 71 yards passing, the fewest passing yards since being held to 63 in a 29-3 win at Henderson State in the 2015 NCAA Playoffs.
Landon Boss led Emporia State's with nine tackles including half a tackle for loss.
Tyler Schultze added eight stops, an assisted tackle for loss and two pass break ups.
THE COACHES
Garin Higgins has a career record of 168-98 in his 22nd season as a head coach. He is 117-89 in his 18th season at his alma mater. He has passed 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 10-7 against Washburn.
Zach Watkins is 2-7 in his first year at Washburn. This is his first meeting with the Hornets.
SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 4-5, 3-4 in the MIAA. They are 11th in the nation in passing offense. ESU leads the nation with five blocked punts and are fifth in net punting. Before his injury
Ben Harris was ranked fifth nationally in passing and sixth in total offense per game.
Malik O'Atis is 13th in receptions per game.
Dylan Davidson is sixth in the nation in punting.
Landon Boss is 20th nationally in sacks.
SCOUTING THE ICHABODS
Washburn is 2-7, 1-6 in the MIAA. They are ranked 11th in the nation in turnover margin and are third in takeaways. J.C. Heim is third in the nation in total tackles.
THE SERIES
The Turnpike Tussle is the second most played active rivalry in NCAA Division II. This is the 121st meeting in a series that began in 1899. The Hornets lead the series 61-53-6. Emporia State has won ten of the last 12 meetings.
LAST TIME AGAINST WASHBURN
Emporia State scored 24 second half points on the way to a 30-14 Turnpike Tussle victory over Washburn at Welch Stadium.
Gunnar Gundy threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns while adding 99 yards on the ground for 391 yards of total offense. He 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.
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.
UP NEXT
The Hornets wrap up the regular season at home against Fort Hays State on November 15. Kickoff for the Senior Day/Salute To Service game is set for 1:00 p.m. from Jones Field at Welch Stadium.
Complete Notes available
here
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