Football | 11/13/2026 9:18:00 AM

Game #11
#21 Emporia State Hornets (8-2, 6-2 MIAA)
at Fort Hays State Tigers (3-7, 2-6 MIAA)

Saturday, November 14 | 1:00 p.m.
Lewis Field Stadium | Hays, Kan.
Series Record: ESU leads 56-40-2 Last Meeting: FHSU 13, at ESU 7 (November 15, 2025)
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: TBD
Playoffs begin Saturday, November 21

REGULAR SEASON FINALE 
The #21 Hornets travel to western Kansas for the final regular season game against Fort Hays State.

LAST TIME OUT
The #15 Hornets were three of six in the red zone in a 20-19 loss to Washburn in the 122nd edition of the Turnpike Tussle.
Emporia State got off to a great start, with a safety, a Brandon McCary field goal and Jamison Sarver touchdown pass to Malik O'Atis giving the Hornets a 12-0 lead after the first quarter. Washburn scored ten points in the second to get within 12-10 at the half. Emporia State took the opening drive of the second half and went 67 yards in 11 plays with Sarver connecting with O'Atis on an eight yard shovel pass to give the Hornets a 19-10 lead. A one yard run by Keller Hurla pulled the Bods within 19-17 with 1:36 left in the third. The Ichabods took their first lead on the opening drive of the fourth quarter on a 33 yard field goal by Battle to go up 20-19. Emporia State twice drove to within field goal range in hte final two minutes but missed both. Jamison Sarver was 30 of 48 for 252 yards and two touchdowns with Malik O'Atis hauling in ten catches for 77 yards and two scores.  Landon Boss had 13 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

THE COACHES
Garin Higgins is the winningest coach in Emporia State history with a record of 126-92 in 19 seasons at his alma mater. He has a career record of 177-101 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 9-9 against Ft. Hays State.
Chris Brown is 98-70 in his 15th season at Fort Hays State. He is 7-7 against Emporia State.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 8-2 overall, 6-2 in the MIAA, ranked sixth in the NCAA Super Region 4 NPI, #16 in the national NPI rankings and #21 in the AFCA National Poll. The Hornets are second in the nation in tackles for loss, fifth in turnovers gained ande sixth in interceptions. Landon Boss is leading the nation in fumble recoveries and is second in tackles for loss while Tyler Schultz is third in passes defended.  ESU is 29th in the nation in passing offense as Jamison Sarver is second in the nation in completions per game and 20th in passing yards per game. Malik O'Atis leads the MIAA in punt returns and Brandon McCary is third in field goals made and percentage. 

SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Fort Hays State is 3-7, 2-6 in the MIAA. They have the #2 rushing offense in the MIAA as AG Floyd is third in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Matthew McBride leads the nation in interceptions with six on the season.

THE SERIES
This will be the 99th meeting between the two with Emporia State holding a 56-40-2 edge. The home team has won six of the last ten games.

LAST TIME VS. FORT HAYS STATE
In a defensive struggle Emporia State could not come up with an onside kick at the end as Fort Hays State picked up a 13-7 win at Welch Stadium. The Hornets got on the board with 58 seconds left on a 13 yard touchdown pass from Mason Dennis to Malik O'Atis, but the Tigers were able to recover the onside kick and run out the clock. Emporia State outgained Fort Hays State 316 to 188 but lost three turnovers. Dennis went 23 of 37 for 189 yards with a touchdown while O'Atis had 54 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions. Landon Boss had a career high 14 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and seven quarterback hurries.

UP NEXT
The NCAA Football Selection Show is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15 with the first round of the playoff set for Saturday, Nov. 21.

Complete Notes available here

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