Hornets Fall at Neb.-Kearney on Saturday

September 20, 2025-Emporia State had more first downs and more passing yards but Neb.-Kearney's Isaiah Harris ran for the most yards by an opponent against the Hornets since 2014 in a 34-20 victory by the Lopers on Saturday in Kearney, Neb.
 
HOW THEY SCORED
The Lopers got on the board first with a 30 yard touchdown run by Isaiah Harris with 4:56 left in the first quarter.  The Hornets responded quickly with a 55 yard touchdown pass from Ben Harris to Ethan Schultze to make it 7-7 with 2:52 left in the quarter.
Emporia State went ahead when Harris connected with Kingsley Bennett for a 45 yard scoring strike with 11:16 left in the second quarter.  Caden Dodson's PAT missed to make it 13-7 Emporia State.
Neb.-Kearney then went on a 7:27 drive capped by a two yard touchdown run by Harris and the PAT put them ahead 14-13 with 3:49 left in the half.  After a three and out gave the ball back to UNK, the Lopers went 61 yards on three plays capped by a three yard touchdown run by Harris. A miss on the PAT sent them into the half up 20-13.
The second half started with UNK driving to the ESU four yard line before the defense held and Tyler Schultze had a tackle for loss on fourth down to give the Hornets the ball at the five yard line. Emporia State responded with a nine play, 95 yard drive capped off by a 27 yard touchdown pass from Harris to Mason Ford.  The PAT tied the game at 20 with 8:16 left in the third.
Neb.-Kearney went back up on a four yard touchdown run by Jahmez Ross with 2:26 left in the quartet to take a 27-20 lead.
The Hornets would respond by driving down to the Loper three yard line to end the quarter.  With under three seconds left in the period, ESU snapped the ball only to see Harris sacked by Caden McGruder and Xavier Morrow recover the ball for UNK to end the period.
To start the fourth quarter Neb.-Kearney was facing third and nine from their own 26 yard line when Harris broke through and went 74 yards for a touchdown to give the Lopers a 34-20 lead with 12:33 remaining.
Emporia State could not convert a fourth and six at the Neb.-Kearney 16 yard line to give the ball back to the Lopers with 4:22 left.  UNK would burn off 3:28 before Jordyn Harris recovered a fumble by the Lopers Isaiah Harris at the nine yard line with 54 seconds left, but the Hornets could not score and would actually fumble the ball on the final play off the game.
 
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Ben Harris was 34 of 55 for 382 yards and three touchdowns and connected with nine different receivers.
Malik O'Atis had ten catches for 113 yards while Ethan Schutlze had five receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown.  Kingsley Bennett caught four passes for 71 yards and a score while Mason Ford added four catches for 31 yards and a touchdown.
Diego Cearns carried the ball 12 times for 72 yards.
Landon Boss had a career high 13 tackles with a sack while Nehemiah Figueroa recorded nine tackles.
Isaiah Harris had 269 yards on 24 carries and four touchdowns for the Lopers.
 
UP NEXT
Emporia State returns to Jones Field at Welch Stadium on October 27 to take on Pittsburg State.  Kick-off for the ESU Family Day game is set for 1:00 p.m.
 
NOTES
Isaiah Harris 269 rushing yards are the most against the Hornets since Lavance Taylor had 288 rushing yards on September 11, 2014.
Ethan Schultze 55 yard touchdown reception gives the Hornets three pass plays of over 50 yards in the first three games of the season, each by a different receiver.  Last year Emporia State did not have three pass plays of over 50 yards until the tenth game of the year.