Football | 10/15/2026 2:23:00 PM

Game #7
#8 Emporia State Hornets (6-0, 4-0 MIAA)
vs. Central Oklahoma Bronchos (3-3, 2-2 MIAA)

Saturday, October 17 | 1:00 p.m.
Blackcreek Field at Welch Stadium | Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: UCO leads 14-11-1 Last Meeting: at UCO 56, ESU 22 (October 18, 2025)
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 12:00 p.m. 
Internet (Audio): www.kvoe.com Internet (Video): The MIAA Network Television: None
Officials: Announced on Game Day
Live Stats | Ticket Info | Complete Notes in pdf
Up Next: Central Missouri
Saturday, October 24 | 2:00 p.m.
Blackcreek Diesel Field at Welch Stadium | Emporia, Kan.

EARLY HOMECOMING
The #8 Hornets play host to Central Oklahoma for just the second time in the last five years. It will be the first time Garin Higgins has taken on one of his former players as former Hornet Cody Swanson is serving as interim coach at UCO. 

LAST TIME OUT
The ninth ranked Hornets improved to 6-0 on the season with a 35-21 win at Missouri Southern. Emporia State jumped in front 21-7 and never trailed in the contest.
Jamison Sarver notched a career-high 38 completions, going 38 of 44 for 312 yards and a career-high four passing touchdowns. Malik O'Atis had 89 yards and a touchdown on five receptions, while Trenden Collins had 80 yards and touchdown on five catches. Ethan Schultze hauled in a career-high 11 catches for 78 yards while scoring two touchdowns. Camden Crooks had 88 rushing yards on 14 carries while Victor Chionuma tallied 62 yards on 14 carries.
Chance Clements had a team-high nine tackles while Gabe Roland and Elias Jones each had eight stops. 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. 

THE COACHES
Garin Higgins is the winningest coach in Emporia State history with a record of 124-90 in 19 seasons at his alma mater. He has a career record of 175-99 in his 25th year as a head coach. He is the winningest active coach in the MIAA and has the fifth most wins among all MIAA coaches. He has led the Hornets to the post season in eight seasons with three NCAA Playoffs and a national semifinal appearance. 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 10-5 against Central Okla.including a 1-0 mark while at Northwestern Okla.
Cody Swanson is 1-0 in his first season at Central Oklahoma. This will be his first meeting with his alma mater.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 6-0 overall, 4-0 in the MIAA and ranked #8 in the AFCA National Poll. The Hornets average 411.5 yards of total offense and give up 374.8 yards on defense. They lead the nation in tackles for loss and are 13th in pass defense efficiency. ESU leads the MIAA in sacks allowed. Landon Boss is leading the nation in tackles for loss and ranks 19th in tackles. Camden Crooks is third in the MIAA in rushing yards. Ethan Schultze is fifth in the MIAA while Trenden Collins and Malik O'Atis are tied for eighth in receptions per game. 

SCOUTING THE BRONCHOS
Central Oklahoma is 3-3, 2-2 in the MIAA. They lead the MIAA in passing yards allowed and takeaways but are seventh in turnover margin. Jett Huff leads the MIAA in completion percentage and is fourth in passing yards.

THE SERIES
This will be the 27th meeting between the two schools with Central Oklahoma leading 14-11-1 overall. The Hornets have won eight of 13 meetings in MIAA play with a 5-1 mark in Welch Stadium in that time.

LAST TIME VS. CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
Emporia State could not overcome 28 Central Oklahoma points off of six Hornet turnovers in a 56-22 loss in Edmond, Okla.
Back to back interceptions off of deflected passes  turned a 17-8 deficit into a 31-8 margin with 7:10 left in the first half. The last two touchdowns for UCO followed a fumble and another interception by Emporia State.
Ben Harris was nine of 21 for 81 yards and two interceptions before leaving the game with an injury. Mason Dennis relieved him and was ten of 20 for 82 yards and two interceptions.

UP NEXT
The Hornets play host to Central Missouri for Homecoming on Saturday, October 24. Kick-off for the first night time Homecoming contest at Welch Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m.

Complete Notes available here

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