Football | 9/17/2026 2:56:00 PM

Game #4
#17 Emporia State Hornets (3-0, 1-0 MIAA)
vs. Neb.-Kearney Lopers (0-2, 0-0 MIAA)
Saturday, September 19 | 4:00 p.m.
Blackcreek Diesel Field/Welch Stadium | Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: UNK leads 15-14 Last Meeting: At UNK 34, ESU 20 (Sept. 20, 2025)
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 3:00 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: Missouri Western
Saturday, October 3 | 1:00 p.m.
Blackcreek Diesel Field at Welch Stadium | Emporia, Kan.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY PLAN
The #17 Hornets take on Neb.-Kearney for Family + Friends Day at Welch Stadium.

LAST TIME OUT
-In a battle of top 25 programs #24 Emporia State tossed a second half shut out on the way to a 34-20 win over #20 Michigan Tech on Saturday afternoon at Welch Stadium.
The teams traded scores in the first half with the Hornets being held to a field goal on one of their scores as the Huskies led 20-17 at the break. ESU took the lead on a pass from Jamison Sarver to Camden Crooks with 5:59 left in the third and scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to ice the win. The Hornets out gained the Huskies 387 to 254 overall with a 182-48 edge in the second half.
Jamison Sarver was 33 of 49 for 226 yards with two touchdowns and added 25 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He connected with eight different receivers on the afternoon led by Ty Walls with eight catches for 55 yards.  Ondraye Beasley had 113 all purpose yards with six catches for 39 yards, one rush for 49 yards and 25 yards on a kick return. Landon Boss had 13 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack and two quarterback hurries. Clem McCullough had seven tackles with one for a loss while Tyler Schultze had six tackles with two pass break ups.
 
THE COACHES
Garin Higgins is the winningest coach in Emporia State history with a record of 121-90 in 19 seasons at his alma mater. He has a career record of 172-99 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 9-4 against Neb.-Kearney.
Ryan Held is 13-21 in his fourth year at Neb.-Kearney and 43-71 in his 11th year as a four year head coach. He is 1-2 against Emporia State.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 3-0 on the season and are ranked #17 in the AFCA National Poll with two Top 25 wins. The Hornets average 410.7 yards of total offense and give up 346.7 yards on defense. They are leading the MIAA in pass defense efficiency, sacks, tackles for loss and turnovers gained as well as sacks allowed. Landon Boss is leading the nation in tackles for loss and ranks ninth in total tackles. Camden Crooks is third in the MIAA in rushing yards. Malik O'Atis is fifth and Trenden Collins is seventh in receptions per game. 

SCOUTING THE LOPERS
Neb.-Kearney is 0-2 on the season and coming off of a bye week. The Lopers are averaging 264.0 yards of total offense while giving up 356.5 yards per game after two weeks. Quarterback Devin Tate is third in the MIAA in rushing touchdowns. Caleb Kincaid is second in the MIAA in interceptions.

THE SERIES
Neb.-Kearney leads the all-time series 15-14 but Emporia State has won 14 of the last 19. The Hornets have won nine of the 13 games played as MIAA contests.

LAST TIME VS. NEB.-KEARNEY
Emporia State had more first downs and more passing yards but Loper Isaiah Harris ran for 270 yards, the most yards by an opponent against the Hornets since 2014, in a 34-20 victory by the Lopers in Kearney. Ben Harris was 34 of 55 for 382 yards and three touchdowns and connected with nine different receivers. Malik O'Atis had ten catches for 113 yards while Ethan Schutlze had five receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown and Bennett caught four passes for 71 yards and a score. Landon Boss had a then career high 13 tackles with a sack. 

UP NEXT
The Hornets return to action on October 3 against Missouri Western in the MIAA TV Game of the Week on The Spot KC38. Kick off from Blackcreek Diesel Field in Welch Stadium is set for 1:07 p.m.

Complete Notes available here

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