Football | 10/29/2026 12:57:00 PM

Game #9
#8 Emporia State Hornets (8-0, 7-0 MIAA)
at #11 Northwest Missouri Bearcats (7-1, 6-1 MIAA)

Saturday, October 31 | 2:00 p.m.
Tjeerdsma Field at Bearcat Stadium | Maryville, Mo.
Series Record: NWMSU leads 38-3 Last Meeting: NWMSU 41, at ESU 14 (November 1, 2025)
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 1:00 p.m. 
Internet (Audio): www.kvoe.com Internet (Video): The MIAA Network Television: The Spot KC 38
Officials: Announced on Game Day
Live Stats | Ticket Info | Complete Notes in pdf
Up Next: Washburn
Saturday, November 7 | 1:00 p.m.
Blackcreek Diesel Field at Welch Stadium | Emporia, Kan.

HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS
The #8 Hornets travel to #11 Northwest Missouri on Halloween with a chance to earn a share of the MIAA Championship.

LAST TIME OUT
The #8 Emporia State football team used a 31 point third quarter to take control on the way to a 58-38 win over Central Missouri on Homecoming at Welch Stadium. The Hornets scored on offense, defense and special teams as they improved to 8-0 on the season.
Jamison Sarver was 28 of 40 for 304 yards with four touchdowns, hitting ten different receivers.  Ethan Schultze had five catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns, Vudrico Roberson had three catches for 54 yards and a score while Trenden Collins had one touchdown among his four catches for 37 yards.  Charles Morgan had a team high 49 yards on five carries while Ondraye Beasley had a 45 yard rush on a reverse and Camden Crooks had 14 carries for 40 yards.  Victor Chionuma carried the ball one time for a one yard touchdown.
Clem McCullough had nine tackles with two interceptions including a 100 yard pick six.  Aidan Hicks had nine tackles and Landon Boss added eight tackles with one for a loss, a fumble recovery and an interception. 

THE COACHES
Garin Higgins is the winningest coach in Emporia State history with a record of 126-90 in 19 seasons at his alma mater. He has a career record of 177-99 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 1-19 against Northwest Missouri.
John McMenamin is 15-4 in his second year at Northwest Missouri and 22-8 in this third year overall. He is 1-0 against Emporia State.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 8-0 overall, 6-0 in the MIAA and ranked #8 in the AFCA National Poll. The Hornets lead the MIAA in tackles for loss, defensive touchdowns, interceptions, tackles for loss, turnover margin and turnovers gained. ESU is second 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 and fumble recoveries while Tyler Schultz leads the nation in passes defended and Brandon McCary leads the nation in field goal percentage. Malik O'Atis leads the league in punt returns while Corey Turner leads the league in kick off returns. Jamison Sarver is 23rd in the nation in passing yards per game.

SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Northwest Missouri is 6-1, 5-1 in the MIAA and ranked #11 in the AFCA National Poll. They are fifth in the nation in rushing defense and ninth in scoring defense while ranking ninth in tackles for loss allowed. They are fourth in the nation in red zone offense. Quincy Torry is leading the MIAA in rushing yards per game while Eric Smith III is leading the league in sacks.

THE SERIES
This is the 42nd meeting in the series with the Bearcats leading 38-3. The last two Emporia State wins have been in Maryville, in 1994 and 2023. The last Hornet win in Emporia was on October 9, 1965.   

LAST TIME VS. NORTHWEST MISSOURI
A 20 point third quarter by Northwest Missouri opened the game in a 41-14 victory over Emporia State. Diego Cearns had 122 yards on 17 carries for Emporia State. The Hornets were held to a season low 71 yards passing. Landon Boss had nine tackles while Tyler Schultze added eight stops and two pass break ups.   

UP NEXT
The Hornets return to Blackcreek Diesel Field and Welch Stadium on November 7 for the Turnpike Tussle against Washburn. Kick-off for Salute to Service and Senior Day is set for 1:00 p.m.

Complete Notes available here

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