Mikkelson out
for the season
ESU freshman safety Tyler Mikkelson did not play on Saturday and will miss the finale against Pittsburg State because of a neck injury.
Mikkelson, the team’s second-leading tackler, said he has had several stingers this season and experienced some numbness in his thumb last week at practice. It was discovered that he has been playing with a fractured vertebrae in his neck.
Mikkelson’s absence forced the Hornets to shuffle their lineup. Cornerback Travis Lee moved to safety with freshman backup safety Kurt Webster also out with an injury.
Mikkelson is still the team’s second-leading tackler. He’ll finish his freshman season with 45 tackles, an interception, four pass breakups and a team-leading four forced fumbles.
Poston shines
If it wasn’t for ESU freshman safety Chris Poston, the score might have been even more out of hand on Saturday. Poston covered a lot of ground and led the Hornets with 15 tackles.
“I’m feeling it definitely,” he said.
Poston has been one of Emporia State’s best defensive players the last few weeks. He had an interception return for a touchdown against Truman and has moved to third on the team in tackles with 38.
“He’s been a bright spot for us all year as far as a young freshman playing the way that he’s playing,” Garin Higgins said.
Injury report
This was not only the worst result for the Hornets on the scoreboard, they also took their biggest hit this season on their depth chart. Sean Partridge, Keith Maples, Michael Fulton and Braxton Owens all left the game with an injury on Saturday.
Partridge, the team’s leading receiver, has been playing with a separated shoulder and left the game on Saturday with an ankle injury.
Next up
Emporia State (4-6, 2-6 MIAA) finishes its season next week at home against Pittsburg State (9-1, 7-1).