Hornets drop fifth straight
By C.J. Moore (Contact)
Originally published 02:21 p.m., October 3, 2009
Updated 04:45 p.m., October 3, 2009
Emporia State quarterback Tyler Eckenrode proved the future might be bright on Saturday.
As for the present, Emporia State’s defense struggled to stop another offense in the first half and lost for the fifth straight game, 34-13.
Nebraska-Omaha scored 20 points in the first half, blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown in the second half and the Hornets had a touchdown taken away that might have at least made things interesting.
Following the blocked punt TD, which made it 27-6, the Hornets drove the ball to the two-yard line and ran four straight times to try to get into the end zone.
On fourth-and-goal from inside the one, Kevin Smart appeared to reach over the goal line for the touchdown; however, the officials spotted the ball just short, giving UNO the ball back.
ESU coach Garin Higgins argued the call and was flagged 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Six plays later, ESU defensive end Tyrone Weaver intercepted a Greg Wunderlich pass to give the Hornets back the ball at the UNO 30.
The Hornets got the ball back to the one, and this time Smart got in for a one-yard touchdown. Will Maxwell came on in relief of Dustin Andrews for the extra point, and his kick made it 27-13.
If the Hornets would have been given the other TD, they could have been within one score.
The Mavericks controlled the ball and had to punt only once in the first half, scoring two touchdowns and two Greg Zuerlein field goals to give them a 20-6 lead at half.
The ESU offense didn’t generate more than the one touchdown in the first half, but Eckenrode had success throwing down field in his first start.
He set up the Hornets’ only touchdown of the first half with a 58-yard pass to La’Darrian Page, hitting Page in stride deep down the middle. He finished with 225 yards passing on 16-of-30 completions.
The number that will give Eckenrode plenty of job security was his zero interceptions. The Hornets lead the MIAA with 16 giveaways, but they did not commit one turnover on Saturday.
Smart followed Eckenrode’s 58-yard pass to Page with a 14-yard touchdown run up the middle on the next play. UNO’s Kevin Ehlers blocked the extra point attempt by Andrews, who joined the team before the Fort Hays State game. Andrews’ kick was low, and he’s had both his extra-point attempts blocked the last two weeks, which forced Higgins to make the change to Maxwell in the second half.
Higgins continues to not trust his kicking game and tried to go for it on 4th-and-15 — and failed — at the UNO 27 in the first quarter.
The Hornets have not attempted a field goal since Maxwell went 0-for-2 against Central Missouri in Week 3.
The UNO offense had a balanced attack that drove easily up and down the field in the first half. Wunderlich, who came into the game leading the MIAA in passing yards, threw for 162 yards of his 179 yards in the first half.
UNO running back Levi Terrelll had 192 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries. Terrell put the Mavs up 10-0 on a 67-yard TD run on which he went untouched up the middle late in the first quarter.
The Mavs scored their final touchdown of the first half with 31 seconds left on a drive that took just 57 seconds. Wunderlich founds Mike Higgins for a 20-yard TD pass.
Emporia State dropped to 1-5 overall and 0-4 in the MIAA for the first time in school history. Nebraska-Omaha improved to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in the MIAA.
For complete coverage of Saturday’s game, check Monday’s Gazette.
Comments
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countrydog (anonymous) says...
MR HIGGINS HAD BETTER TRUST SOMEONE TO HELP HIM KEEP HIS JOB!!!!
October 3, 2009 at 3:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jmcmannis (anonymous) says...
I just got home from the game.
It sucked we lost again no big surprise.
What was Higgins freaking thinking going for it on 4th and 15 on the opening drive, sure Maxwell may not be a good kicker but what about the punter he can kick.
Also I thought if you ran into the kicker it was roughing the kicker way to go with the no call refs.
October 3, 2009 at 4:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
countrydog (anonymous) says...
MAYBE HE NEEDS TO COACH JR HIGH OR BETTER YET
NEVER COACH AGAIN
October 3, 2009 at 5:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnDoe (anonymous) says...
Times are tough. How about open tryouts for the kicker's scholarship. Or just take the winner of the halftime punt/pass/kick contest...
October 4, 2009 at 1:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EsqEB (anonymous) says...
Washburn won...They are 5-1 this year. Just an FYI to all you Hornet fans.
October 5, 2009 at 8:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
countrydog (anonymous) says...
what is the point spread between wu and esu?
bet he cant cover the spread
October 5, 2009 at 8:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cityfan (anonymous) says...
After the second game I thought this was the year for progress. Not the same old problems. It seems like we lack confidence. what are the coaches doing to the players? Definitely not building on the positive.
October 5, 2009 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mgdarren (anonymous) says...
This team does not lack confidence. This team has had many injuries on the Defensive side of the ball. Everyone putting down the coaching staff does't have a clue what is going on inside of the program. My guess is most people putting down the team did not even play high school football, let alone know how to coach. And yes I saw Washburn won, & could care less!!
October 5, 2009 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
countrydog (anonymous) says...
yes i played high school and college football so dont make excuses for the poor job of coaching.as i have said before the coaches are over there head!!!!!!
October 5, 2009 at 12:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cheese (anonymous) says...
I happen to care what Washburn's record is........just like K-State fans care what KU's record is and visa versa. Kids want to play for a winner, and since we recruit mostly Kansas kids we are competing with Washburn, Pitt State and Fort Hays. You guessed it, right now we are in last place........
October 5, 2009 at 1:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mgdarren (anonymous) says...
I am not making any excuses for anyone. If you truely played college football as you say you did, then you should know that only players & coaches within the current program know what the problems truely are. You should also know on this level, losing 6 starters on defense makes it tough. You should also know as a former college player, it does not help for fans to run down the coaches in the middle of the season.
October 5, 2009 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cityfan (anonymous) says...
it also doesn't help to run down the players , if we have alot of injuries keep it simple. I'm not sure the difference in week 2 and now are injuries. I saw some great defensive players not playing. Our best players need to be on the field as much as possible.
October 5, 2009 at 2:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
007 (anonymous) says...
countrydog, who are you to judge????
i was surprised to see where you did play football...thought you might have been the head cheerleader...as loud as you are.
October 5, 2009 at 8:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hornets (anonymous) says...
Maybe it's time to find a new AD and rebuild from the top down. Weiser doesn't have control of his athletic department.
October 6, 2009 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hornets (anonymous) says...
That's funny YY4U. I'm not sure K-State would be the university I would have my kids go to for great athletics. If you don't care then do read the articles on athletics. Personally I think college athletics helps teach kids about responsibility and time management.
October 6, 2009 at 2:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hornets (anonymous) says...
do not read
October 6, 2009 at 2:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hornets (anonymous) says...
YY4U,
I'm just cuious about where you get your facts of most people. My extracurricular activities are what paid for my education. It's sad that you think about booze, sex, boasting, and excuses when you think of Football.
October 6, 2009 at 5:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UsayULoveGod (anonymous) says...
Wow , it does not matter who you get for coach , No money in the program leads to less wins. One big question , why didn't they sign one of the Dorsey twins to kick for them. You need to get some area talent. I hope you wise up and sign Mark Kolmer to a full ride. Also take a look at Danny Goodman and Lorenzo Serna. Out of State players do not guarantee you a victory.. There are a lot of Kansas players who can play D-2.
October 6, 2009 at 5:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
footballeyes (anonymous) says...
I must say that I agree with countrydog that the coaches are in way over their heads, I have thought that since Higgins was hired. Sorry to disappoint you 007, I see you are still hitting the bottle pretty heavily. As far as you go- YY4U, you and 007 should shack up together in San Francisco- I'm sure you think a lot alike.
October 6, 2009 at 5:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hornets (anonymous) says...
YY4U,
Are you assuming that all of the other 6400 students don't enjoy football? I never said they all play football. You said the following "Most people who spend money on an education find the emphasis on extracurricular activities to be an irresponsible waste of time." I'm just wondering how you can talk for "most people" when you don't have any facts. You should find out how many of the 6400 students are involved in extracurricular activities. I would guess that it is over 50%.
October 7, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )