October 10, 2026 - Emporia State football matches their best start since the 2015 season as they moved to 6-0 with a 35-21 win over Missouri Southern on Saturday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Emporia State started with the football moved across midfield in just four plays before eventually stalling out on fourth down on their first possession. The defense responded by forcing a loss on first down and no yards on the next two plays to force a punt by the Lions. The Hornet offense found their groove on their second possession, marching 68 yards on seven plays in just 2:39 as Jamison Sarver found Malik O'Atis for the games first points at the 8:03 mark of the first quarter.
Despite the scoring drive, the lead was short-lived as the Lions returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards to tie the game back up at 7-7. Both teams punted on their next drive, and then Emporia State moved back in front with a touchdown early in the second quarter. A quick, four-play 83-yard drive in just 77 seconds was capped off by Sarver finding Trenden Collins from eight yards out to put the Hornets ahead 14-7. Following the Collins touchdown, the Hornets got creative on special teams, as they recovered an onside kick to take back possession on the Missouri Southern side of the field. The Hornets were unable take advantage as they were turned oway on fourth down.Â
After the turnover on downs, the Hornet defense and Landon Boss doubled the advantage on the first Lions offensive play. Boss came free on the blitz and stripped the Missouri Southern quarterback before picking up the loose ball and racing towards the end zone to make the score 21-7. Both offenses were unable to generate anything more over the final 11 minutes of the first half, as Emporia State took their two touchdown lead into the halftime break.
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Following the intermission, Missouri Southern got possession and put together their first touchdown drive of the game, going 65 yards in 11 plays to make the score 21-14. Emporia State responded in kind on their first drive of the second half, as the passing game continued to click. Jamison Sarver completed seven of eight passes on the drive, capped off by a 15-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Schultze as the Hornet lead great to 28-14 with 8:34 left in the third.Â
The Lions then put together another drive, this time taking 7:36 off the clock to cut the Emporia State lead to 28-21 with under a minute left in the third.Â
In the fourth, Emporia State was driving on the MSSU defense as their ninth play of the possession moved the ball inside the 10 yard line. However, the drive stalled and eventually the Hornets were halted on fourth down as Missouri Southern took over down seven with 12 minutes to play.
In just three plays, the Lions moved out near the 40-yard line, but the Hornets defense stiffened up to force a punt. On the ensuing Emporia State drive, the Hornets went 79 yards on 13 plays and capped it off with a four-yard pass from Sarver to Schultze as Emporia State took a 35-21 lead with 4:45 remaining.
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The Hornet defense was able to see out the next possession with a fourth down stop on their way to sealing the 35-21 win for Emporia State.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
A week after a career-high 390 passing yards, Jamison Sarver notched a career-high 38 completions, going 38-44 for 312 yards and a career-high four passing touchdowns. In the passing game, Malik O'Atis had 89 yards and a touchdown on five receptions, while Trenden Collins had 80 yards and touchdown on five catches of his own. Ethan Schultze hauled in a career-high 11 catches for 78 yards while scoring two touchdowns. On the ground, Camden Crooks had 88 yards on 14 carries while Victor Chionuma tallied 62 yards on 14 carries of his own.
Defensively, Chance Clements had a team-high nine tackles while Gabe Roland and Elias Jones each had eight of their own. Landon Boss and Gabe Booker both had a sack while Boss forced a fumble and scored his second defensive touchdown of the season with a second quarter scoop and score.
UP NEXT
#9 Emporia State will return home to Welch Stadium on Saturday, October 17 as they take on Central Oklahoma. Kickoff between the Hornets and Bronchos is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
NOTES
The Hornets improved to 6-0 for the first time since 2015.Â
