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October 17, 2026-The #8 Hornets forced four turnovers and held Central Oklahoma to just 14 points in five trips to the redzone as Emporia State gutted out a 23-16 win on Saturday in Welch Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After the teams traded punts on the first five possessions, Victor Chionnuma burst up the middle for a 44 yard touchdown to give Emporia State a 7-0 lead with 5:44 left in the first quarter.  The Bronchos then went on a 13 play, 81 yard drive but were not able to come away with points as Bradley Thao's 26 yard field goal went wide right.   
UCO got on the board with a safety when the snap from center on a punt went over Jordan Cartwright's head and he booted the ball out of the endzone. With 11:18 left in the half.  The Bronchos took the ensuing free kick and took the lead with a four yard touchdown pass from Cruz Campbell to Javohn Thomas with 9:47 left to go up 9-7. That would be the last score of the half as UCO led 9-7 at the break.
The teams started the third quarter slow as well with punts on the first three possessions with neither team crossing midfield.  On the fourth possession the Bronchos started at their own 20 yard line and Carlos Strong Jr. and Jake Tucker stuffed Ja'Daniel Nettles for a loss of two.  On the next play Nettles caught a pass behind the line of scrimmage and Tucker forced a fumble that Carson Sippel picked up and ran it in from 14 yards out to give Emporia State a 13-9 lead as Brandon McCary saw his string of 52 consecutive PAT's snapped when Servahnt Counsellor blocked the attempt.
After the defense forced another three and out, Ben Harris hit Corey Turner II for a 44 yard touchdown as the Hornets went up 20-9 with 9:19 left in the third quarter.
Emporia State used an 11 play drive that ate up 4:20 of the fourth quarter but only went 23 yards before McCary tied his ESU career high with a 40 yard field goal to go up 23-9 with 7:24 remaining.  The teams traded turnovers on the next two possessions as the Bronchos took over at the ESU 39 with 4:16 left. It would take them six plays and 2:13 before they scored on a 12 yard pass from Campbell to Thomas with 2:03 remaining to get within seven points.
The Bronchos elected to kick off and ESU took over at their own 25. Thanks to two penalties the Hornets would lose six yards on the possession and punted back to UCO with 1:39 remaining.  Facing fourth and one at the ESU 40 yard line Tucker and Anthony Thompson came on a double blitz and sacked Campbell for a loss 12 yards to give the ball back to the Hornets with 1:18 left.  Two kneel downs later the Hornets moved to 7-0 for the first time since 2013.
 
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State was outgained 323-211 in the game but took advantage of a +3 turnover margin and two missed UCO field goals. Victor Chionuma had 46 yards on five carries with a touchdown while Charles Morgan added 42 yards on 11 carries. Jamison Sarver got the start at QB and went ten of 25 for 64 yards before leaving the game with an injury in the third quarter.  Ben Harris, who had not played since week two's win over Michigan Tech, came in and was five of 14 for for 64 yards with a touchdown. Ethan Schultze had seven catches for 35 yards while Corey Turner had four receptions for 54 yards.
Jake Tucker had eight tackle with 3.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a blocked punt. Clem McCullough had eight tackles with an interception and a tackle for loss. Tyler Schultze recorded five tackles with four pass break ups and an interception.

UP NEXT
The #8 Hornets take on Central Missouri on Saturday, October 24.  Homecoming kick-off from Blackcreek Field at Welch Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m.
 
NOTES
All-American linebacker Landon Boss did not play with a leg injury suffered against MSSU.