• #24 Emporia State takes on 20th ranked Michigan Tech. 

• This is the first meeting between the two teams. 

• This is the first Top 25 matchup in Welch Stadium since 2022.

• This will be the first game for the new Blackcreek Diesel Field at Welch Stadium

• Full Game Notes

• Hornet Walk takes place three hours before kickoff and begins the Hornet Football Game Day experience.  Join the Hornets, ESU Cheer, and the Marching Hornets as they leave the team meal in the Memorial Union, walk down the pedestrian mall to Morse Drive and then into Welch Stadium.

• The Live at the Hive: VIP Experience will be located in the Visser Hall parking lot and open two and a half hours before kickoff. Live at the Hive will feature DJ Rusty Turner keeping the lot bumping with party hits, 80s throwbacks, country favorites and more;  a cash bar; tailgate games including a mechanical bull; appearances by ESU Cheer, the Marching Hornets, Alumni, ESU Coaches and, of course, Corky. 

• To use the tailgating space as effectively as possible while creating a safe pedestrian experience, the parking area on Morse Drive between 15th and 18th avenues will be closed to public traffic on football game days.

• Only ESU Students tailgating in front of Kossover Family Tennis Complex and those fans with football game day parking passes will be allowed in the Morse Drive lot.  ESU students must show their valid student ID to park in the student tailgating area. For the general public, a limited number of parking passes for the permitted parking area on the west side of Welch Stadium are available for purchase online with a more limited number available on game day. 

• Non-permitted parking for fans is available in the parking lot on the north end of campus by the Student Recreation Center.

• Visitor parking and tailgating is allowed in the lot on the west side of campus along Merchant Street by Cremer Hall and in the lots between Highland and Market Street off of 15th Avenue.

• Emporia State students, Emporia State faculty and staff and kids 17 and under will receive free general admission tickets. Everyone else will need to purchase a ticket to ensure a seat. Recent changes to Welch Stadium as reduced the seating capacity from 7,000 to 4,419 for the season.  As of Friday morning less than 250 reserved seat tickets remained available.

• Emporia State has implemented a clear bag policy this season.

• The designated Emporia State student entrance is located at the northeast corner of Welch Stadium and will lead directly to the student section.

• The designated visitor entrance is located in the southwest corner of the Welch Stadium near the ESU merchandise trailer and will lead directly to the visitor seating in Section Q.

• All other spectators will be able to enter using the three gates on the west side of Welch Stadium.

• Silverson Security will assist with security at Welch Stadium during home football games.  The local firm will help provide a safe and enjoyable atmosphere at Hornet games.  As part of this process, Silverson staff will be at entrance gates to assist fans with what they can and cannot bring into the stadium.  No outside food or drinks other than water in clear containers may be brought into the stadium.  Random bags may be subject to search as fans enter the stadium.

• Silverson Security and stadium ushers will help maintain the reserved chairback sections for paying fans. 

• Ticket sales will begin and the gates to Welch Stadium open at 12:00 p.m.

•Pregame festivities begin in the stadium 30 minutes before kickoff with the Marching Hornets pregame show. 

Ticket Info

• Reserved seating is available in the gold seats on the west side of Welch Stadium.
• The designated Emporia State student section is located in the bleachers beyond the north end zone. 
• Section Q on the south end of the west side of Welch Stadium is the designated visiting section. 
• The remainder of the stadium is general admission.
• The Marching Hornets are stationed in the east side stands of Welch Stadium.
• Sideline access is restricted to media and team personnel only. There is a special end zone access pass that is available to select individuals.

• There are two active concession stands in Welch Stadium located  on the upper west concourse.  They serve Coca Cola products and have a variety of food items.
• For the sixthyear beer sales will be available inside Welch Stadium. There will be security in the area of this concession stand to help enforce the legal drinking age. 

• Restrooms are located at the north end of the concourse on the west side of Welch Stadium with several portable restrooms available near the student and visitor sections.

• The Shafer family will be recognized as the Hornet Heritage Family during the first media time out of the game.

• A lucky fan will have a chance to win $10,000 with a football toss during halftime.

• Other promotions include Gambino's Pizza Trivia, the Longbine Automotive T-Shirt Cannon, the Mitchell Markowitz Legacy Seat, and the Helmet Shuffle Contest

• Fans are asked to remain in the stands at the conclusion of the game until the opposing team has left the field to help ensure the health and safety of the players.

• Once again the ESU Marching Hornets will perform the Emporia State alma mater after every game.

• Heading to the game and after the game KDOT encourages all individuals of age to Protect the Hive – Don’t Drink and Drive.

• The weather forecast for Saturday afternoon calls for a temperature of 76 degrees for Hornet Walk at 10 a.m. with kick-off set for 81 degrees with light winds from the northeast. The daytime high should reach 89 by the end of the game.

• If for some reason you can't make it to Welch Stadium the game will be available on radio at Mix 104.9 KFFX-FM with the Voice of the Hornets Blake Cripps on the call.  He will be joined in the broadcast booth by former Hornet Athletic Director Kent Weiser and Tagan Trahoon on the sideline. The trio won the KAB Award for Best Sports Play by Play in 2024.  

• The game will be video streamed through TheMIAANetwork.com, opens in new tab with both single game and season long options for purchase.  

• Live stats will be available through Emporia State's website at esuhornets.com with updates being posted to the Hornets Twitter account at @ESUSports.