Don’t get Emporia State wide receiver Sean Partridge wrong. A win over rival Washburn this weekend would mean quite a bit.
Then again — with his ESU in the midst of a four-game losing streak — he knows a victory over anyone would be a huge boost for the Hornets.
“It wouldn’t matter if we were playing Tijuana State,” Partridge said. “We want to win. We want to win on Saturday.”
The Hornets will get that chance in the 103rd meeting of the Turnpike Tussle. The rivalry is the third-most played series in Division II football, with the first matchup coming in 1899.
Kickoff for Homecoming is set for 1 p.m. in Yager Stadium at Moore Bowl in Topeka.
“We know we’re going to their place and they’re going to be hungry,” ESU coach Dave Wiemers said. “We’re certainly starving.”
ESU’s losing streak has come with its share of bad breaks.
Against Pittsburg State, a Partridge catch to win it was ruled incomplete in a 59-57 four-overtime loss.
Two weeks later, ESU put itself in position for a game-winning field goal, then fumbled a snap in a 14-13 defeat.
Last week, Missouri Western scored its first points when ESU blocked a field goal try only to have Western’s holder pick up the ball and throw it to the tight end for the score. ESU ended up losing, 24-12.
“We’re due for one,” Wiemers said. “I think the football gods are going to shine on us one day.”
Washburn also comes in on a bit of a slide, having lost three games in a row. A big reason for the struggles has been the loss of starting quarterback Jordan Brill, who is out for the season with an injured shoulder.
Brill set the Washburn single-season record for passing yards last season with 2,775.
“Their quarterback was a good player,” Wiemers said. “That makes a big difference for us.”
In his place, redshirt freshman Beau Wofford will make his third start, though he has not been placed under much pressure yet.
He threw just seven times a week ago in a 21-7 loss to Truman, completing three of those passes for 19 yards and an interception. The Ichabods also committed six second-half turnovers.
On offense, ESU might be able to return one of its key players.
Though not at full strength, wide receiver Jermaine Barnett is expected to play after battling an ankle injury. Despite missing three weeks, he still ranks third in the conference in touchdown receptions with six.
Running back El Ray Henry remains doubtful with a sore back.
Washburn won last year’s game at Welch Stadium, 42-14, with Brill completing 9-of-15 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns.
ESU does lead the series 51-45-6, though it hasn’t won a meeting since 2003’s 35-28 overtime victory at home.
The Ichabods have won their last three Homecoming matchups, and a good crowd is expected again Saturday.
“There’s nothing better than going to a place where people hate you that much and coming out with a win,” Partridge said. “I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited to go out and play.”
Wiemers said his players practiced a little tight this week, perhaps feeling pressure to play well and pick up that elusive victory.
Partridge said a triumph over the rival Ichabods would go a long way in helping to turn his team’s fortunes.
“It’s always a big game, but we’re taking it right now as another game,” Partridge said. “We’re trying to get a win, really — trying to get off this slide.
“Washburn or not, we’ve just got to get a win.”