Football | 10/2/2026 11:03:00 AM
Game #5
#10 Emporia State Hornets (4-0, 2-0 MIAA)
vs. Missouri Western Griffons (2-2, 1-1 MIAA)
Saturday, October 3 | 1:05 p.m.
Blackcreek Diesel Field/Welch Stadium | Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: MWSU leads 28-19
Last Meeting: ESU 50, at MWSU 14
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 12:00 p.m.
Internet (Audio):
www.kvoe.com Internet (Video):
The MIAA Network Television: The Spot KC38
Officials: Announced on Game Day
Live Stats |
Ticket Info |
Complete Notes in pdf
Up Next: at Missouri Southern
Saturday, October 10 | 2:00 p.m.
Hughes Stadium | Joplin, Mo.
BEST ON BEST
The top pass defense in the MIAA will face the top passing offense in the league when #10 Emporia State plays host to Missouri Western.
LAST TIME OUT
Thanks to a pair of
Landon Boss touchdowns #17 Emporia State improved to 4-0 with a 19-9 win over Neb.-Kearney before heading into the bye week. Boss scored on a 50 yard fumble return for a touchdown before lining up at running back to scored from the one yard line as the Hornets led 16-0 with 6:38 left in the first quarter.
The Hornets held the Lopers without a touchdown, the first time they have kept an opponent from the endzone since defeating Angelo State 17-12 in 2024.
Gabe Roland led all tacklers with 10 stops.
Clem McCullough had nine tackles with one for a loss while
Aidan Hicks was credited with eight stops, 1.5 TFL and a break up.
Landon Boss had eight tackles, one for a loss, and a scoop and score of 50 yards.
Cord Coffee and
Christian Westbrooks each had a sack and the Hornets combined for 10.0 tackles for loss.
Offensively
Camden Crooks gained 126 yards on 19 carries.
Jamison Sarver went 20 of 33 for 140 yards with
Ethan Schultze his top target with five catches for 35 yards.
THE COACHES
Garin Higgins is the winningest coach in Emporia State history with a record of 122-90 in 19 seasons at his alma mater. He has a career record of 173-99 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 7-10 against Missouri Western.
Tyler Fenwick is 17-21 in his fourth season at MoWest and is 70-69 in his 14th season overall. He is 2-3 against ESU at Western after going 1-1 while at Southeastern Oklahoma.
SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 4-0 overall, 2-0 in the MIAA and ranked #10 in the AFCA National Poll with two Top 25 wins. The Hornets average 378.0 yards of total offense and give up 328.5 yards on defense. They lead the nation in tackles for loss, are second in pass defense efficiency and sixth in passing yards allowed.
Landon Boss is leading the nation in tackles for loss and ranks ninth in tackles.
Camden Crooks is third in the MIAA in rushing yards.
Malik O'Atis is tenth,
Trenden Collins 11th and
Ethan Schultze 12th in the MIAA in receptions per game.
SCOUTING THE GRIFFONS
Missouri Western is 2-2, 1-1 in the MIAA and have won their last two games. They rank third in the nation in passing yards and sixth in turnover margin while ranking fourth in interceptions. Isaiah Tate leads the MIAA in passing efficiency and passing touchdowns while Peyton Hatfield is leading the league in all-purpose yards.
THE SERIES
This is the 48th meeting with Missouri Western holding a 28-19 edge. Emporia State has won three of the last four meetings.
LAST TIME VS. MISSOURI WESTERN
Emporia State scored in all three phases against Missouri Western on their way to a 50-14 road win.
Divante Herrig-Brittian blocked a punt and recovered in the end zone while
Aidan Hicks had a 45 yard pick six.
Ben Harris passed for 254 yards and three touchdowns.
Camden Crooks had 106 total yards of offense and a touchdown.
Malik O'Atis had five catches for 62 yards and a touchdown, while
Kingsley Bennett had four catches for 58 yards with two scores.
Landon Boss and
Elon McKenzie each had two sacks in the game.
UP NEXT
The Hornets travel to Missouri Southern on October 10. Kick-off from Hughes Stadium in Joplin, Mo. is set for 2:00 p.m.
Complete Notes available
here
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