Football | 10/23/2026 9:10:00 AM

Game #7
#8 Emporia State Hornets (7-0, 5-0 MIAA)
vs. Central Missouri Mules (5-2, 4-1 MIAA)

Saturday, October 24| 7:00 p.m.
Blackcreek Field at Welch Stadium | Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: UCM leads 44-22-4 Last Meeting: ESU 31, at UCM 27 (October 25, 2025)
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 6:00 p.m. 
Internet (Audio): www.kvoe.com Internet (Video): The MIAA Network Television: SI-TV
Officials: Announced on Game Day
Live Stats | Ticket Info | Complete Notes in pdf
Up Next: at #10 Northwest Missouri
Saturday, October 31| 2:00 p.m.
Tjeerdsma Field at Bearcat Stadium | Maryville, Mo.

BACK IN BLACK + GOLD
The #8 Hornets play host to Central Missouri on Homecoming at Emporia State. The Hornets have won four of their last five Homecoming contests in Welch Stadium.

LAST TIME OUT
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. 
ESU 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 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, 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 tackles 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.

THE COACHES
Garin Higgins is the winningest coach in Emporia State history with a record of 125-90 in 19 seasons at his alma mater. He has a career record of 176-99 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 5-11 against Central Missouri.
Josh Lamberson is 34-20 in his fifth year at Central Missouri and 35-41 in this seventh year overall. He is 2-4 against Emporia State overall, 2-2 at UCM.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 7-0 overall, 5-0 in the MIAA and ranked #8 in the AFCA National Poll. The Hornets average 380.4 yards of total offense and give up 367.4 yards on defense. They lead the nation in tackles for loss, are third in defensive touchdowns and are ninth in pass defense efficiency. ESU is third in the MIAA in sacks allowed but lead the league in sacks per pass attempt. Landon Boss is leading the nation in tackles for loss per game while Tyler Schultz leads the nation in passes defended. Camden Crooks is fourth in the MIAA in rushing yards. Ethan Schultze and Trenden Collins are tied for eighth in touchdown receptions. 

SCOUTING THE MULES
Central Missouri is 5-2, 4-1 in the MIAA. They are fourth in the nation in passing offense and 11th in total offense. Jordan Pachot leads the nation in completions and is fourth in passing yards. Jack Pospisil is third in the nation in receptions.

THE SERIES
This is the 71st meeting in the series. The Mules lead the all-time series 44-22-4 with the series tied 8-8 over the last 16 meetings.

LAST TIME VS. CENTRAL MISSOURI
Jamison Sarver was seven of seven for 98 yards in the fourth quarter to rally the Hornets to a 31-27 comeback win as Garin Higgins passed Fran Welch for the most wins in school history. The Mules had leads of 10-0, 24-14 and 27-17 before the Hornets used a 14-0 fourth quarter to take the win. In his first start Sarver went 25 of 41 for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Bennett had five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown while Malik O'Atis had eight catches for 69 yards. Ondraye Beasley had a team high 74 yards on three receptions.  Landon Boss had ten tackles while Tyler Schultze added nine stops and two pass break ups.

UP NEXT
The Hornets travel to Northwest Missouri for a Halloween showdown. Kick-off from Bearcat Stadium in Maryville is set for 1:00 p.m.

Complete Notes available here

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