Fort Hays State 26, Emporia State 12 — FINAL
Hornets turn ball over three times in loss
By Jesse Newell
Originally published 06:52 p.m., September 22, 2007
Updated 09:17 p.m., September 22, 2007
HAYS — Emporia State scored on its first offensive possession, taking advantage of a Fort Hays State penalty.
The Hornets threw an incomplete pass on a 3rd-and-6 from their own 20, but a pass interference call on the Tigers' Allen Walker extended the possession.
ESU's Andre Sloan El found Paul Nichols on a pass down the middle for a 37-yard gain, and on the next play, Seville Ko took an option pitch on the left side 30 yards for a Hornets touchdown.
Wayne Gleason's point-after made it 7-0.
FHSU responded with a scoring drive on its first possession, going 33 yards on 13 plays.
Justin Barr's 45-yard field goal cut the ESU lead to 7-3.
After a Sloan El interception, FHSU drove 36 yards for a touchdown to take its first lead.
Jordan Hickel finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.
Barr's extra point made it 10-7 FHSU with 7:48 left in the second quarter.
ESU punted on its next possession, and FHSU took it 78 yards on 16 plays for its second TD.
On a 3rd-and-7, Shane Jackson connected with Cody Witte on a 16-yard fade route for the score, making it 16-7.
ESU's Jake Richter blocked the extra point, however, and Travis Lee returned it 100 yards for an ESU 2-point conversion to keep it a one-possession game at 16-9.
It was the first returned blocked PAT for two points in ESU history.
On the Hornets' next possession, Ko broke through the middle for a 56-yard run to the FHSU 13.
The run set up a 31-yard Gleason field goal with 9.5 seconds left in the half that cut the advantage to 16-12.
At halftime, Ko had seven carries for 94 yards.
Barr picked up the first points of the second half for FHSU, kicking a 44-yard field goal to make it 19-12.
The kick capped an eight-play, 34-yard drive for the Tigers.
On the ensuing possession, Katrel Larkins fumbled after catching a pass from Sloan El. C.J. Lovett scooped up the fumble and returned it all the way to the ESU 20.
Hickel capitalized, contributing a 20-yard TD run to left side.
Barr's kick made it 26-12.
After a dropped FHSU punt gave ESU good field position, Sloan El threw an interception to Nick Dreitz at the Hornets' 2 with under 5 minutes to go.
ESU couldn't score in its final possession, giving the Tigers the 26-12 victory.
SheilaMaxine (anonymous) says...
Coach Higgins lost the football game against Fort Hayes! Was he at the same game we were? Who calls a play to run the ball, when you are down 2 touchdowns in the last minutes!!!! What about passing? Of course Sloan L needs to look down the field and quit throwing those short passes. Number 44 is almost always open and he can actually catch the ball!!!! Come on, Coach Higgins, step up to your role!!!!!
September 24, 2007 at 10:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
batbatly (anonymous) says...
What the heck is wrong with some of you people? Guess what, Emporia State was not going to win every game this year. It just wasn't going to happen. Quit acting like Higgins was the only reason ESU lost. ESU has a long ways to go before it wins consistently.
And it sounds like somebody (ahem...SheilaMaxine) knows a certain No. 44 on the team. Guess what, it takes more than a player simply getting "open" for a play to be successful. Where are the safeties? Is the defense in a zone sitting back and waiting for a throw? Did the offensive line give the QB enough time? DId the running back make a block? While it might appear that a player is "almost always open," you've got to have a little bit a football sense and realize that defenses can make up a lot of ground in a hurry.
Good grief, this team wasn't going to light the world on fire this year, but Higgins has proven to be successful as a coach in the past. Give it more than four games before you start questioning the way he coaches.
September 24, 2007 at 11:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
siamesefred (anonymous) says...
My son sits his butt on the bench too much. Oops, that criticism was for his junior high coach. Where do I complain about that?
September 24, 2007 at 12:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
estatealum (anonymous) says...
i think it's ok to question the way he coaches the offense. and yes, i can say "HE COACHES THE OFFENSE" because i've heard that he's the one that's calling the shots on the offense...try listening to your assistants, they're there for a reason.
September 24, 2007 at 1:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SheilaMaxine (anonymous) says...
I agree with estatealum because Coach Higgins does coach the offense and he needs to listen to his assistants. whether he's been successful in the past means nothing to the emporia fans until he is successful here. I agree the o-line needs to block but there were several players open on several occasions and there were short passes thrown. It doesn't take a genius to see that!!!!!!!
September 24, 2007 at 3:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jackslap (anonymous) says...
Man you gotta love the folks that are the back seat coaches. I'm sure that Garin would love to hear your thoughts and comments on coaching styles.
September 24, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
batbatly (anonymous) says...
How do you know Higgins doesn't listen to his assistants?
September 24, 2007 at 7:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatasheep69 (anonymous) says...
Let's not forget that most of the team that Higgins is working with is the same one that lost their last 7 games in a row last year. Turning the team around so quickly to start 3-0 should be commendable. There were a couple of turnovers that contributed to the loss at FHSU. Coach Higgins did not call a turnover play, I am certain of that. Additionally, there is not an undefeated team in the MIAA this year already. Remember that ESU was predicted pre-season by the regional coaches to be near the bottom of the heap this year. Their record is as good as any in the conference so far. Give the team and the coach a chance. There is a lot of talent on the team and coaching staff. It's going to take more than a couple of games to get the players to their full potential. It is my opinion that Coach Higgins and the entire Hornet team are doing very well already and will continue to improve with each and every game.
By the way, have you checked out how the soccer team is doing this year? Maybe you question where Coach Snoop is taking that team in his second year.
September 25, 2007 at 5:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )