Ben Purkeypile knows a lot of people aren’t giving Emporia State much of a chance in Saturday’s game against Central Oklahoma.
After all, the game is in Edmond, Okla., the Hornets are coming off a hold-your-breath 7-3 victory over Western (Colo.) State and UCO just defeated No. 11 Abilene Christian last week.
“I don’t think anybody expects us to win this game. People here in the hometown might not expect us to win this game,” the ESU quarterback said. “Every person on this team will believe that (we can), and every person out here will be ready to go.”
Purkeypile himself might have to be the most effective if the Hornets are to defeat the Bronchos in Saturday’s 6 p.m. matchup at Wantland Stadium.
ESU quarterback Andre Sloan El — who split time with Purkeypile in last week’s game — was taken to the hospital this week after having more complications with his intestines.
Sloan El had surgery to remove intestinal blockage in mid-July, and ESU coach Garin Higgins said Thursday that the quarterback’s status still was unknown for Saturday’s game.
If Sloan El were to miss any time, Purkeypile would be the one to lead an offense in need of some production from the passing game.
ESU had no passing yards in the second half last week against Western State. In fact, of the final 34 official offensive plays, the Hornets ran 33 running plays.
Though much of that was by plan — trying to wear out an overmatched Western State defensive line by rushing the football — ESU won’t have the luxury of being so one-dimensional this week against a better defense in UCO.
The Bronchos held Abilene Christian to just 98 yards rushing and also forced two turnovers in last week’s upset victory.
Purkeypile showed signs of being able to lead the Hornets’ passing offense in the team’s first possession against Western State.
Using a variety of short passes and wide-receiver screens, Purkeypile was 5-for-5 for 54 yards and a touchdown on ESU’s only scoring drive.
“Everything went right,” Purkeypile said. “We just went out there and did what we’ve been doing in practice all week. (The defense) showed us everything we knew. Hopefully, it’s the same thing this week.”
The junior finished 6-of-9 for 63 yards. After throwing an interception in the third quarter, he didn’t return to the game.
ESU’s offense also will have to be more productive in putting up points if it hopes to compete.
The Hornets had 412 yards against Western State but didn’t score any of the four times they entered the red zone.
“Everybody,” Purkeypile said, “needs to not be complacent with being” in the scoring zone.
Higgins tried to help with the problem this week in practice, giving his players more simulations in red-zone situations.
The result?
“We’ve put the ball on the 25 all week and scored every time,” Higgins said with a smile.
ESU should benefit by getting a pair of starters back in the lineup.
H-back Lucas Sullivan should be able to go after sitting out last week with a hamstring injury. A.J. Franklin also returns after missing a game for violating team rules.
Linebacker Matt Demicoli still is out with an injured hamstring, while H-back Michael Fulton — who scored ESU’s only touchdown last week — will not play because of disciplinary reasons.
Emporia State (1-0) at
Central Oklahoma (1-0) notes
Central Oklahoma leads the all-time series 9-2-1 and has won six straight ... This will be Emporia State’s first trip to UCO’s Wantland Stadium, which was built in 1965 ... Justin Wieser’s 156 yards rushing last week were the most by an ESU sophomore since Brian Shay gained 305 yards against Central Missouri in 1996 ... ESU has not opened the season 2-0 since 2003 ... ESU is the only nonconference opponent for UCO this season ... UCO defeated No. 11 Abilene Christian last week, winning 27-17 after falling behind 10-0 ... UCO’s Rick Montgomery won conference player of the week after catching six passes for 116 yards and a touchdown ... Bronchos coach Chuck Langston is returning to the sidelines after a two-week suspension for alleged NCAA infractions ... The UCO defense allowed four plays of 35 yards or more to Abilene Christian.