Football | 10/20/2026 10:23:00 AM

October 20, 2026-Emporia State's Jake Tucker was named the D2Football.com National Defensive Player of the Week following the Hornets 23-16 win over Central Oklahoma. In his first career start Tucker had career highs of eight tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks along with a forced fumble and a blocked punt as Emporia State remained undefeated on the season.  

With the Hornets trailing 9-7 at the half, Tucker flipped the game in the first five minutes of the third quarter, recording a sack, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown to give ESU the lead for good. On the Bronchos second drive of the quarter, he was in on a tackle for loss of two yards to put UCO behind the chains. On the next play he forced a fumble on a play three yards behind the line of scrimmage that Carson Sippel scooped and scored to put Emporia State up 13-9. On the next series after forcing a three and out he got a hand on the punt that ended up only going 26 yards. ESU scored two plays later to take a 20-9 lead with 9:19 left.

For the game the Hornets held the Bronchos to their lowest rushing total against a D2 team this season and below 17 points for just the second time this year.
 
This is the first D2Football.com National Player of the Week for a Hornet this year.  Linebacker Landon Boss earned two National Player of the Week honors from College Football Network following wins over Minot State and then #10 Pittsburg State earlier this season.

The nationally ranked Hornets return to action on Saturday, October 24 when they play host to Central Missouri on Homecoming. Kick-off from Blackcreek Diesel Field at Welch Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m.