There shouldn’t be any surprises for the Emporia State offense when it lines up against Southwest Baptist on Saturday.
The defense the Hornets will see is the one they’ve become the most accustomed to.
“The (defensive) scheme is exactly the same as what we run,” ESU coach Dave Wiemers said. “There’s different versions of it as you look around college football. It appears like they’re playing the exact same type of branch of the 4-2-5 defense.
“In preparation, it’s kind of like going back to camp and spring ball. You kind of run those plays.”
Game time is set for 6 p.m. Saturday at Plaster Stadium in Bolivar, Mo.
A back-to-basics approach might not be a bad idea for the Hornet offense, which seems to only be slowed by the beginning of games.
ESU fell behind 21-7 in the first half against Winona State before scoring 11 unanswered points in the second half.
Against Fort Hays State last week, the Hornets trailed 10-0 before putting 48 straight points on the Tigers.
“We need to come out and have a very good performance right off the bat,” ESU quarterback Justin Whitworth said, “and kind of let them now we’re here to play.”
Wiemers believes the best way to do that might be by establishing the ground game early.
El Ray Henry should see increased carries after rushing for a career-high 124 yards and two touchdowns against Fort Hays last week.
“It’d be nice to go and hold onto the ball,” Wiemers said. “Extend some drives, pound it a little bit with the run game, and see if we can score doing those things.”
At quarterback, Wiemers expects to use both starter Ben Purkeypile and also backup Justin Whitworth after both performed well last week.
Purkeypile was 7-of-13 for 85 yards and a touchdown, while Whitworth came of the bench to complete 7-of-9 passes for 148 yards and a score. Neither threw an interception.
“We’ll start it out with Ben and run Justin in there second, third or fourth series, whenever it feels like it’s the best to do it,” Wiemers said.
The coach’s bigger concern this week, however, has been on the defensive side of the football.
SBU enters with an 0-3 record, but still is ranked third in the MIAA in total offense.
Not only that, but the Bearcats run a dangerous shotgun formation that is rare in the MIAA.
“They’ve got some stuff we’ve got to get covered,” Wiemers said. “It’s a little different. We don’t see it a whole bunch.”
ESU has not yet allowed an opponent to score in the second half this season. The Hornets have outscored their three opponents 62-0 in that time span.
“One thing we’re going to focus on from now on is coming out right away and not having a slow start that we’ve been doing,” ESU linebacker Cade Armstrong said. “We’re going to figure out something.”
Armstrong might have to rely on his teammates to do the work for him.
The senior, who is sixth in the MIAA with 7.7 tackles per game, will most likely be relegated to only long-snapping duties because of a leg injury.
Wiemers said his team had prepared itself well for Saturday’s game. ESU had its best practice of the year Tuesday, and followed that with a strong workout on Wednesday.
“I don’t have a lot of complaints,” Wiemers said, “with preparation from this group.”