• #17 Emporia State takes on Neb.-Kearney in the MIAA home opener for the Hornets. 

• This is the first time Emporia State has kicked off a home football at 4:00 p.m.

• This is the middle game of a three game home stand for the Hornets.

• Emporia State will have next week off with a bye.

• Full Game Notes

9 a.m. — ESU Family and Friends Day Fun Run

Kellogg Circle, 12th Avenue and Commercial Street

This race is a unique, untimed fun-themed 5K activity. During this run, participants will enjoy fun interactive stations! The fun continues at the finish line with the Family and Friends Day events beginning soon after. Even if you aren’t participating in the run, you can still come out to cheer on your friends and family! While the Family and Friends Day Fun Run event is all about fun, the 5K also focuses on promoting healthy living and is ideal for first-time 5K participants.

10-11 a.m. — Feathered Friends of the Prairie

Prophet Aquatic Research & Outreach Center, 601 E. 18th Ave.

Join PAROC and the Grassland Heritage Foundation for a morning dedicated to grassland bird conservation, perfect for avid birdwatchers, prairie enthusiasts, and nature beginners alike. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. with guest speaker Bob Gress presenting “A Changing World for Kansas Birds,” highlighting conservation efforts across the state. Due to limited seats, registration is required for the presentation.

10-11:30 a.m. — Planetarium Show

Peterson Planetarium, Science Building

Enjoy a captivating all-dome presentation of “Super Massive Black Holes – Unveiling the Invisible!” Discover the hidden giants that lurk at the centers of galaxies and explore how astronomers uncover these mysterious objects through an immersive journey that reveals the science behind the universe’s most fascinating phenomena. Attendees will also enjoy a live night sky tour presented by Planetarium Director Mark Brown, highlighting the stars, constellations, and planets visible in the evening sky, with the full experience lasting approximately one hour. Due to limited seats, registration is required for the show.

11 a.m.-Noon — Birdwatching: Feathered Friends of the Prairie

Prophet Aquatic Research & Outreach Center, 601 E. 18th Ave.

After the 10 a.m. presentation, all are welcome to join expert ornithologists Dr. William Jensen and Emporia State University graduate student Sarah Beismeier for birdwatching in Campus Prairie and Campus Woods, alongside a variety of hands-on, bird-themed activities such as birdhouse and birdfeeder crafting.

1-1:15 p.m. — Hornet Walk

Feltner Union Square, Pedestrian Mall, Welch Stadium parking area

Hornet Walk, taking place 3 hours before kickoff, 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. Route Map is available online.

1:30-3 p.m. — Fan Fest

Visser Hall

Kick off the tailgate with us at the Fan Fest, where you can check in to receive your official shirt and swag while enjoying snacks, crafts and the opportunity to check out student vendors. The National Teachers Hall of Fame (Located in Visser Hall) will also be open and available for tours during this time. The event wraps up at 3 p.m., giving everyone plenty of time to head out and join in on the Live at the Hive tailgate activities.

1:30-4 p.m. — Live at the Hive

Visser Hall Parking Lot

Get hyped for Hornet Football at Live at the Hive—the ultimate pregame experience. We’re bringing the energy with Hornet Jam Live from the parking lot, featuring DJ Rusty Turner, tailgate games, axe throwing, a mechanical bull, inflatables, food trucks, and special appearances from ESU Cheer, Marching Hornets, coaches and Corky!

4 p.m. Hornet Football Kickoff

• 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 200 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 3:00 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 Stormont-Cowan family will be recognized as the Hornet Heritage Family during the first media time out of the game.

• Hornet Baseball All-Americans from last season will be recognized in the second quarter.

• 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

• Nex Tech Wireless is our game sponsor.

• 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 91 degrees for Hornet Walk at 1 p.m. with kick-off set for 92 degrees with winds between 10-15 mph from the southwest. The temperature should drop into the high 80's by the end of the game with a 15% chance of rain at 7:00 p.m.

• 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.