Football | 9/18/2025 12:23:00 PM
Game #3
Emporia State Hornets (1-1, 0-0 MIAA)
at Neb.-Kearney Lopers (2-1, 0-1 MIAA)
Saturday, September 20 • 12:00 p.m.
Cope Stadium • Kearney, Neb.
Series Record: Series Tied 14-14
Last Meeting: ESU 42, at UNK 35 (Oct. 26, 2024)
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 11:00 a.m.
Internet (Audio):
www.kvoe.com Internet (Video):
The MIAA Network Television: 38 The Spot
Live Stats |
Ticket Info |
Complete Notes in pdf
Officials: Announced on Game Day
Up Next: #15 Pittsburg State
Saturday, September 27 • 1:00 p.m.
Jones Field at Welch Stadium • Emporia, Kan.
BIG NOON KICK-OFF
Following a bye week, Emporia State heads west to take on Neb.-Kearney in their MIAA opener. Not counting season openers, the Hornets are 6-1 when having at least two weeks to prepare for an opponent.
LAST TIME OUT
Emporia State got behind early and clawed back to within two scores before falling 41-20 at tenth ranked Angelo State on Saturday night. Both teams had over 18 first downs and recorded over 400 yards of offense, but the Hornets turned the ball over four times that led to 20 Ram points while Emporia State only scored eight points off of two Angelo State turnovers.
Ben Harris was 23 of 51 for 357 yards and two touchdowns with four interceptions.
Kingsley Bennett had seven catches for 130 yards and a touchdown while adding 108 yards in kick returns for 238 all-purpose yards.
Malik O'Atis went for 94 yards on eight catches with a touchdown. Seven different Hornets caught a pass with three having a long of at least 30 yards.
Diego Cearns was the leading rusher for Emporia State with 39 yards on ten carries.
Marte Russell and
Gabe Booker tied for team honors with nine tackles while Russell had three tackles for loss.
THE COACHES
Garin Higgins has a career record of 165-94 in his 22nd season as a head coach. He is 114-85 in his 18th season at his alma mater. He is the winningest active coach in the MIAA and has the fifth most wins among MIAA coaches in history. He needs two wins to tie Fran Welch's school record of 116 wins from 1928-54. 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 9-3 against Neb.-Kearney.
Ryan Held is 9-15 in his third year at Neb.-Kearney and 46-75 in this tenth year overall. He is 0-2 against Emporia State.
SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 1-1 on the season. They are tenth in the nation and second in the MIAA in passing offense while they lead the MIAA in passing defense and tackles for loss.
Ben Harris is leading the nation in completions, is ranked fifth in passing yards per game and sixth in total offense.
Malik O'Atis is third in the nation in receptions per game.
Kaden Fields is tenth in the nation in solo tackles.
SCOUTING THE LOPERS
Neb.-Kearney is 2-1 on the season and 0-1 in the MIAA. They are ranked fifth in the nation in sacks, seventh in interceptions and 23rd in total defense.
Isaiah Harris is seventh in the nation in rushing yards and 14th in rushing yards per game.
THE SERIES
The series is tied at 14 wins a piece but Emporia State has won 14 of the last 18. The Hornets have won nine of the 12 games played as MIAA contests.
LAST TIME AGAINST NEB.-KEARNEY
It was a record setting day as #14 Emporia State defeated Neb.-Kearney 42-35 in Kearney, Neb.
Gunnar Gundy threw for a school record 564 yards while
Tyler Kahmann tied Emporia State's single game records with 296 receiving yards and five touchdown catches.
There were two ties and seven lead changes in the game with the lead changing hands four times in the fourth quarter alone. Gundy ran in the final touchdown with 4:45 left and then hit Kahmann for a two point conversion to make it 42-35. The defense then held on two fourth down attempts in the final two minutes to preserve the win.
Gundy was 48 of 68 for 564 yards and five touchdowns with three interceptions and added a rushing touchdown. Kahmann had 19 catches for 296 yards and five touchdowns in addition to the two point conversion.
Caleb Mondi led the Hornet defense with 11 tackles.
UP NEXT
The Hornets return to Jones Field at Welch Stadium to take on Pittsburg State. Kick-off for the Family Day contest is set for 1:00 p.m.
Complete Notes available
here
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