Without hesitation, Emporia State coach Garin Higgins complimented his team for containing Xavier Omon after Saturday’s game against Northwest Missouri State.
It’s scary to think what might have happened if Omon hadn’t been slowed down — at least somewhat — by ESU’s defense.
Though he had just four carries for 1 yard in the first quarter, the Northwest running back finished with 25 rushes for 230 yards, helping the No. 6 Bearcats to a 24-7 victory Saturday at Welch Stadium.
“That just shows you what happens,” Higgins said, “when you’ve got a playmaker like that.”
The senior Harlon Hill candidate paced the Bearcat offense despite struggling in the first quarter.
In four first-quarter carries, two went for a loss and a third went for no gain.
The Northwest offense struggled early along with its star back. The Bearcats (8-1, 8-0 MIAA) punted on their first two possessions, and the first quarter ended in a scoreless tie.
It was the first time that Northwest — which had outscored its opponents 120-23 in the first quarter — failed to score in the opening quarter this season.
“We did the best job we could do,” Higgins said.
ESU’s best wouldn’t be enough over the final three quarters.
Omon broke runs of 39, 40, 55 and 42 yards, pushing himself over the 200-yard mark for the third time this season.
The senior had 120 yards in the fourth quarter alone.
“He’s a heckuva running back. We knew he was a good running back,” ESU linebacker Nathan Linsey said. “Those four plays he busted, we didn’t have the guy in the right spot.”
ESU still was able to keep it close for a half with the help of a turnover and one long drive on offense.
After falling behind 10-0 in the second quarter, the Hornets showed some life on offense.
In its no-huddle set, ESU went 84 yards on 13 plays, with quarterback Eric Runge contributing a 2-yard TD run that helped trim the lead to 10-7.
Including penalties, the drive had 18 plays and took 5 minutes, 37 seconds off the clock.
“That shows everyone how good we can be,” Runge said, “and how close we are (offensively).”
ESU’s Aaron Stubblefield intercepted a pass at the end of the half to keep his team within three.
“That was kind of the goal earlier this week — hang around, and don’t let them jump out big on us,” Linsey said. “Our defense played extremely well in the first half.”
The Hornets — without an offensive playmaker like Omon — couldn’t close the gap in the final 30 minutes.
In seven second-half possessions, ESU gained just 93 yards, punting five times, fumbling once and turning it over on downs the other time.
“It’s maintaining consistency,” Runge said. “Just because we make the plays on one drive doesn’t mean we can let up.”
Meanwhile, ESU’s defense did all it could to keep the Hornets in the game.
Travis Lee, Jonathon Harris and Jeff Hoag all had second-half interceptions, but ESU’s offense never was able to capitalize.
The Bearcats, who came in leading the MIAA in scoring and total offense, won despite having four turnovers to the Hornets’ one.
“I honestly think the defense played their best game of the year. I really do,” Higgins said. “I know they gave up some big plays and hurt us, but, hey, (Northwest is) a very good football team.”
Omon had a 3-yard touchdown run with 23 seconds left in the third quarter to make it 17-7, then Mike Peterson caught an 8-yard TD for Northwest’s final score.
Linsey, who had been limited in playing time after suffering an ankle injury in the first game, had 10 tackles, including 3.5 tackles-for-loss. He entered the game after Blake Ringwall left with an injury.
Senior Jake Richter led ESU with 11 tackles in his final home game.
Seville Ko added 19 carries for 76 yards, while Runge — in his second week as starter — was 12-for-32 for 96 yards.
ESU (3-7, 1-7 MIAA) suffered its seventh straight loss after winning its first three games.
“We stuck with them. We played well,” Linsey said. “Just a few plays here and there we needed a stop and to make a few plays.
“It’s been the story of our year — we just haven’t made plays when we need to.”
Northwest Mo. St. 24, Emporia State 7
Saturday at Welch Stadium
No. 6 NWMSU 0 10 7 7 — 24
Emporia State 0 7 0 0 — 7
Second Quarter
NWMSU — Tommy Frevert 26 field goal, 10:28
NWMSU — Xavier Omon 5 run (Frevert kick), 7:15
ESU — Eric Runge 2 run (Johnny Torres kick), 1:31
Third Quarter
NWMSU — Omon 3 run (Frevert kick), 00:23
Fourth Quarter
NWMSU — Mike Peterson 8 pass from Joel Osborn (Frevert kick), 2:13
GAME STATISTICS
NWMSU ESU
First downs 22 19
Rushes-yards 35-225 46-133
Comp-Att-Int 24-35-4 12-33-0
Passing yards 230 96
Total plays-yards 70-455 79-229
Fumbles-lost 0-0 2-1
Penalties-yards 11-92 9-81
Punts-average 5-39.6 9-33.9
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing — NWMSU: Xavier Omon 25-230, Mike Peterson 1-12, Sheldon Cook 4-7, Kendall Wright 1-(-9), Joel Osborn 4-(-15); ESU: Seville Ko 19-76, Eric Runge 14-19, Justin Wieser 7-18, Sean Partridge 2-12, Andre Maupin 2-5, David Hamman 1-4, TEAM 1-(-1).
Passing — NWMSU: Joel Osborn 24-34-4 230, TEAM 0-1-0 0; ESU: Eric Runge 12-32-0 96, Johnny Torres 0-1-0 0.
Receiving — NWMSU: Kendall Wright 9-86, Mike Peterson 5-60, Abe Qaoud 5-60, Paris Elam 2-10, Sheldon Cook 1-6, Brian Shannon 1-5, Xavier Omon 1-3; ESU: Paul Nichols 4-36, Justin Wieser 3-21, Jarad Biggs 2-19, Dominic Mirocke 1-13, Seville Ko 1-5, Lucas Sullivan 1-2.
Punting — NWMSU: Michael Stadler 5-39.6; ESU: Johnny Torres 9-33.9.
Time — 2:54. Att — 4,902.
Records — NWMSU 8-1, 8-0 MIAA; ESU: 3-7, 1-7 MIAA.
hornetalum (anonymous) says...
As a concerned football alumni, I do not understand where Coach Higgins is coming from. In the article, Coach Higgins complimented his defense for contaning Xavier Omon and doing the best job they could. How can he say that when Omon rushed for 230 yards on 25 carries. That is 9.2 yards a carry. If that is the best job they can do, it is going to be a long couple of years. Also, I did not see Purkeypile on the sideline on Saturday. Is he kicked off the team? I would like to know more information on that. Kinda weird on that situation. Also, I thought Coach Higgins was supposed to have a high powered offense. The offense has been dormant all season. Only 93 yds in the second half Saturday with 5 punts. His type of offense has never been sucessful in the MIAA.
November 5, 2007 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gregorymed (anonymous) says...
Coach Higgins is accummulating his players and his team. He is likely to get 3-4 years from ESU Admin. to see what he can do. He cannot fairly compete in the MIAA right now with what he has. He needs time to recruit and needs money to fund recruiting, football operations and out of state scholarship dollars. Then he will have what he needs and can be judged accordingly. Right now he gets a free pass.....but the clock is ticking on the free pass. I just hope ESU Admin helps him now or ESU will be looking for a new coach in about 3 years.
November 6, 2007 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporialifer (anonymous) says...
Being that NWM was 7-1 and ranked 2nd in the Region coming into the game, I think most people expected a blowout, so a tied score at halftime made people happy. The fact that ESU's defense held them to just 24 points is a good thing and does say something about the defense. The offense on the other hand is struggling, but I'm not an expert to be able to say if it is the coach's offense (as hornetalum suggests) or if it is the players. Only time will tell.
November 6, 2007 at 3:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UsayULoveGod (anonymous) says...
they need more money to recruit better players or do what Pitt does buy some players some cars and give them some under the table money !! I think Players should be paid. One player from KU got suspended for 2 games because the parents of another player help his parent pay for a plane ticket from texas to see their son play. The NCAAA made over 3billion in the last 6 years and the coaches make big money.
Thats why you will alwys have point shaving and some players doing crimnal activites. just to get by.
I think Higgins is in a Losing situation because they will never give up money for this program. They will set him up to fail..
Best thing to do is contact K-state and KU to get some of their plyers who do not get a chance to play .
November 6, 2007 at 4:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gregorymed (anonymous) says...
It is possible that Coach Higgins has been set up to fail(no money resources) but President Mike Lane can change that with the stroke of a pen and Kent Weiser can not do a thing about it. I am placing my bet on President Lane who will help Higgins and keep Weiser accountable.
November 6, 2007 at 4:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UsayULoveGod (anonymous) says...
That is so true. No Money No recruits and they know it !
The atmosphere for football at ESU sucks ! I am waitng for the Girls B-ball , every Game should be sold out
November 6, 2007 at 5:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatasheep69 (anonymous) says...
Why does the atmosphere at the football games suck? Why can't the crowd seem to get into the game and make some noise? Even when ESU was holding NWMSU this last weekend, I could hear more noise coming from the visiting fans than from the ESU ones. I have noticed this for several years. Maybe it isn't that a different coach or players are needed ( I fully support Higgins btw and will give him the chance he deserves ) but different fans. It often feels like an "away" game at Welch stadium. Come on people, help these guys out a little and make them proud to be playing in front of you.
November 6, 2007 at 10:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ef6 (anonymous) says...
Coach Higgins is looking for speed on the offensive side of the ball. He doesn't have that aside from Andre Maupin and Seville Ko (who isn't blessed with a fifth gear). He also needs an offensive line that can block SOMEBODY. No speed? No offensive line? No offense.
November 7, 2007 at 7:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ef6 (anonymous) says...
Stat of note: Xavier Omon.
25 carries overall, 230 yards.
21 carries, 49 yards.
Four carries, 181 yards (39, 40, 55, 47)
November 7, 2007 at 7:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gregorymed (anonymous) says...
Coach Higgins needs to make sure President Lane hears what he needs from him without AD Weiser censorship and ESU football will get better quickly. You will notice the fans cheering level change as well. Understand this ESU football program has been in neglect for a number of years and they have bottomed out. Heck, there is no one on the team that ever remembers what it is like for ESU football to win...the are all gone. Sooooooooo....coach Higgins has to build back and in time(I think 2 seasons more) with Pres Lane resources for out of state scholarships, recruiting monies, and football operations will have winning seasons at Welch stadium. Coach higgins has a plan and supposedly his assistants are on board with his direction. He needs to show some hope this spring.
November 7, 2007 at 7:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
batbatly (anonymous) says...
Gregorymed,
You are adamant in your disapproval of the job Kent Weiser is doing as AD. I'm curious, do you have any proof of your claims, or are you simply carrying out an old grudge by blasting him on a message board?
When I say proof, I mean something other that, "Well, I heard from a friend of a friend..." I mean real actual proof.
You know, football teams and their success come and go. Only the best of the best can sustain success for long periods of time. Look at Nebraska. The Nebraska football program has all the resources in the world, and yet, they have been a beacon of mediocrity over the past 5-8 years.
Your constant bashing of Weiser is getting old. If you have a problem with the man, take it to him. Voice your concerns to him. Venting on a message board isn't going to solve anything.
November 7, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporialifer (anonymous) says...
USay - I'll assume you were being sarcastic about giving players money under the table since that would be a violation and get the entire program in trouble? Personally I'm glad college players don't get paid - I have a feeling I would lose interest if they did. The difference I see between college and pro players is heart. Call me old fashioned, but I enjoy seeing people play their hearts out for the love of the game, not because they are getting paid 3 million dollars with a nice fat signing bonus.
The plan for additional recruiting funds is already underway, so Higgins should have what he needs.
November 7, 2007 at 11:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gregorymed (anonymous) says...
Venting on the message board caused you to act so get real Mr. PR man. He is either part of the problem or he better be part of the solution. I am hoping Pres Lane will hold him accountable and i believe he will....enough on excuses.The additional funds aledgedly for football recruiting are coming from private sources spearheaded by a private emporia citizen. Ask yourself this question.....how has he helped this program correct its course? He has heard all the dissents talk he wants because sometimes the truth hurts. For him it is his job not a life experience passion. Remember he is not ESU...he is K.U. You can question Nebraska all you want but they are/have taken action on their football management and working hard to right their ship of football. Good luck to them and good luck to ESU football staff.
November 7, 2007 at 12:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
footballeyes (anonymous) says...
Good question from hornetalum. What is the story with Ben Purkeypile? contrary to someones opinion, I am no relation and don't even know him.
November 7, 2007 at 5:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UsayULoveGod (anonymous) says...
I heard he quit !
November 7, 2007 at 5:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hornetfan00 (anonymous) says...
maybe the real story should be "Could some players be faking injuries just to get out of the season?????"
November 7, 2007 at 10:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
playersfan (anonymous) says...
Hornetfan00- come on. I'm not sure how you can say that. now you sound like a relative of someone on the staff? Get real.
November 14, 2007 at 7:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )