Hornet Football Falls at #10 Angelo State

September 6, 2025-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.

The Rams jumped out to a 27-0 lead with 4:43 left in the first quarter.  They scored on an 80 yard touchdown pass, a pick six, a three yard TD run and a 30 yard touchdown pass.
 
Emporia State got on the board at the end of the first quarter on a Caden Dodson 26 yard field goal as time expired. Dylan Davidson had a punt downed at the Rams one yard line and Chance Clements blocked an ASU punt to give the Hornets the ball at the 16 yard line.  Ben Harris then found Malik O'Atis for a 16 yard touchdown pass to get Emporia State within 27-9 with 8:57 left as the PAT was blocked.  Dodson connected on his second field goal of the half, this one from 25 yards with 3:56 left in the half to get the Hornets within 27-12 at the break.

Neither team scored in the third quarter. Angelo State went up 34-12 on a 38 yard touchdown with 10:06 left. Harris found Kingsley Bennett for a 91 yard touchdown and then hit Mason Ford for the two point conversion to make it a two score game at 34-20 with 5:21 left.  The Rams would get the ball back with under three minutes left and were able to convert a first down.  ASU scored their final touchdown on a two yard run with four seconds left for the final score.

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 Hornets now go into a bye week before taking on Neb.-Kearney on September 20 in Kearney, Neb.  Kick-off for the MIAA TV Game of the Week on 38 The Spot is set for 12 noon.