Football | 10/8/2026 5:00:00 PM

Game #6
#9 Emporia State Hornets (5-0, 3-0 MIAA)
at Missouri Southern Lions (1-4, 0-3 MIAA)

Saturday, October 10 | 2:00 p.m.
Fred G. Hughes Stadium | Joplin, Mo.
Series Record: ESU leads 28-22 Last Meeting: at ESU 31, MSSU 24
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 1:00 p.m. 
Internet (Audio): www.kvoe.com Internet (Video): The MIAA Network Television: None
Officials: Announced on Game Day
Live Stats | Ticket Info | Complete Notes in pdf
Up Next: Central Oklahoma
Saturday, October 17 | 1:00 p.m.
Blackcreek Diesel Field at Welch Stadium | Emporia, Kan.

MIDWAY POINT
The #9 Hornets travel to Joplin, Mo. to take on Missouri Southern at the halfway point of the season.

LAST TIME OUT
The tenth ranked Hornets held Missouri Western under 30 points for just the second time this season in a 34-22 win on Saturday.
Jamison Sarver was 32 of 49 for a career high 390 yards with two touchdowns.  He connected with 11 different receivers in the contest led by Trenden Collins with eight catches for 95 yards. Malik O'Atis had four receptions for 51 yards and touchdown while Ondraye Beasley added two catches for 51 yards and a score.  Camden Crooks had 110 yards from scrimmage with 83 rushing yards on 17 carries along with three catches for 27 yards.
Defensively Aidan Hicks tied his career high with 11 tackles while Landon Boss had a career high 4.5 tackles for loss with a sack and a forced fumble.  Tyler Schultze had seven tackles and three pass break ups to set the Emporia State career record with 32 pass break ups in his four years.
Emporia State won the turnover battle with two interceptions and a fumble recovery while not turning the ball over themselves.
 
THE COACHES
Garin Higgins is the winningest coach in Emporia State history with a record of 123-90 in 19 seasons at his alma mater. He has a career record of 174-99 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 13-3 against Missouri Southern.
Atiba Bradley is 18-42 in his sixth season at Missouri Southern. He is 0-5 against Emporia State.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 5-0 overall, 3-0 in the MIAA and ranked #9 in the AFCA National Poll. The Hornets average 401.6 yards of total offense and give up 384.8 yards on defense. They rank second in the nation in tackles for loss and eighth in pass defense efficiency. ESU leads the MIAA in sacks allowed. Landon Boss is leading the nation in tackles for loss and ranks 11th in tackles. Camden Crooks is third in the MIAA in rushing yards. Trenden Collins is sixth in the MIAA in receptions per game. 

SCOUTING THE LIONS
Missouri Southern is 1-4, 0-3 in the MIAA. They are one of six teams in the nation to be 100% on red zone opportunities with six touchdowns and a field goal in seven trips. Isaiah Green is second in the MIAA in receiving yards and third in receptions. Tugase Williams leads the MIAA in sacks.

THE SERIES
This will be the 51st meeting in a series that dates back to 1970. The Hornets lead the series 22-10 in MIAA play and 28-22 overall. Emporia State has won 13 straight against the Lions.

LAST TIME VS. MISSOURI SOUTHERN
Emporia State got out to an early 28-7 lead and held on to give head coach Garin Higgins his 116th career win and tie Fran Welch for the most wins in Hornet Football history.
For the second straight game the Hornets held their opponent to under 50 yards rushing, thanks in part ot Landon Boss' school record tying four sacks. Offensively Ben Harris went 28 of 39 for 273 yards and a touchdown with a score on the ground. He connected with 11 different receivers led by Kingsley Bennet with seven catches for 91 yards.

UP NEXT
The Hornets returns to Welch Stadium on October 17 to take on Central Oklahoma. Kick-off from Blackcreek Diesel Field is set for 1:00 p.m.

Complete Notes available here

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