Football | 9/11/2026 9:05:00 AM

Game #3
#24 Emporia State Hornets (2-0, 1-0 MIAA)
vs. #20 Michigan Tech Huskies (2-0, 0-0 GLIAC)
Saturday, September 12 | 1:00 p.m.
Blackcreek Diesel Field/Welch Stadium | Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: First Meeting Last Meeting: First Meeting
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 12:00 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: Neb.-Kearney
Saturday, September 19 | 4:00 p.m.
Blackcreek Diesel Field at Welch Stadium | Emporia, Kan.

BLACK OUT WELCH TO OPEN
Emporia State plays host to Michigan Tech in the 2026 Home Opener on the new Blackcreek Diesel Field at Welch Stadium. The Hornets are 15-3 in home openers under Garin Higgins.

LAST TIME OUT
Emporia State held Pittsburg State to just 279 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers in a 21-10 win over the #10 Gorillas.
The Hornets jumped on top 14-0 on a Camden Crooks one yard run and a two yard pass from Ben Harris to Trenden Collins.  Syre Padilla got Pitt State on the board with a three yard touchdown with 17 seconds left in the first quarter. Crooks made it 21-7 with another one yard touchdown with 5:12 left in the half. ESU forced three turnovers in the second half and limited PSU to just a fourth quarter field goal  
Ben Harris went 27 of 42 for 297 yards with a TD while adding 46 rushing yards. Trenden Collins had six catches for 61 yards and score, Malik O'Atis had eight receptions for 66 yards, Ondraye Beasley caught five passes for 71 yards and Camden Crooks had three receptions for 71 yards while adding 50 yards on 14 rushes for 121 all-purpose yards. Landon Boss had seven tackles including 2.5 TFL and an interception.  Chance Clements recorded eight tackles while Clem McCullough had seven tackles with 2.5 TFL. 

THE COACHES
Garin Higgins is the winningest coach in Emporia State history with a record of 120-90 in 19 seasons at his alma mater. He has a career record of 171-99 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.  This is his first meeting with Michigan Tech.
Dan Mettlach is 21-13 in his fourth year at Michigan Tech. This is his first meeting with ESU.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 2-0 on the season with both wins on the road. The Hornets average 422.5 yards of total offense and give up 393.0 yards on defense. They are leading the MIAA and ranked third in the nation in fumble recoveries and sixth nationally in turnovers gained. Defensively they are leading the MIAA in sacks and tackles for loss, ranking fifth in TFL and 18th in sacks nationally. ESU leads the league and is 19th in the nation in sacks allowed. Ben Harris leads the MIAA and ranks sixth nationally in completions while ranking third in the league and 14th in the nation in passing yards. Trenden Collins is second in the MIAA in both receptions and receiving touchdowns while ranking ninth in the nation in receiving touchdowns and 18th in receptions. Landon Boss is leading the MIAA and ranked 13th nationally in tackles. 

SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
Michigan Tech is 2-0 on the season with a road win and a home win. The Huskies are averaging 408.0 yards of total offense while giving up 408.5 yards per game after two weeks. They are fourth in the nation in turnovers gained and sixth in interceptions. Elliott Larner is sixth in the nation in rushing touchdowns, seventh in points responsible for, 11th in total touchdowns scored and 45th in passing yards. Jake Rueff is 25th in the nation in rushing yards.

THE SERIES
This is the first meeting between the two schools and the first time Emporia State has played a team from Michigan.

LAST TIME VS. MICHIGAN TECH
This is the first time Emporia State has played Michigan Tech in football. The two schools did meet in the 2010 Women's Basketball Elite Eight. The Lady Hornets came away with a 91-85 victory on the way to the National Championship.

UP NEXT
The Hornets play host to Neb.-Kearney on September 19 for Friends + Family Day. Kick-off from Blackcreek Diesel Field at Welch Stadium is set for 4:00 p.m.

Complete Notes available here

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