Emporia State coach Garin Higgins went into the week with an open mind on his quarterback situation.
Higgins gave Tyler Eckenrode and Andre Sloan El equal snaps at practice. He watched the practice film, and on Thursday, he told Eckenrode he would get the start.
“The kid had come in and done some good things for us throughout the course of the year,” Higgins said. “Last time we made a change, it kind of sparked us a little bit.”
Eckenrode also provided a spark, with the Hornets moving the ball to start the game more than they had since the first game of the season.
Eckenrode, a redshirt freshman, completed his first two passes and didn’t show any signs of first-start jitters.
“I wasn’t too nervous going in there,” he said, “just because I got comfortable in the previous weeks.”
The freshman showed he could give the Hornets something Sloan El could not with his 58-yard strike to La’Darrian Page in the first quarter that hit Page perfectly in stride.
“The biggest play I thought was the streak to L.P.,” he said. “Once I completed that, I started getting into sync.”
Eckenrode’s biggest accomplishment in the eyes of his coach and teammates was not turning the ball over. He finished with respectable numbers — completing 16-of-30 passes for 225 yards — but he said his play could still be better.
“I think I did OK,” he said. “There’s mistakes, and I’ve got to correct those mistakes and come back next week and play well.”
Higgins’ analysis was a little more glowing.
“I thought he played well,” Higgins said. “I think he did everything we asked of him. He managed the football game, and that’s the thing. He protected the football. He made a couple bad throws at the end with the ball sailing on him, but that’s going to come with experience.”
Higgins said he still sees Sloan El getting a chance to play down the road this season, but Eckenrode did not do anything to lose the starting job on Saturday. He also showed that he’s capable of being the long-term solution for the program.
“With ’Dre being a senior and (Zach) Rampy being done, we’ve got to look forward to the rest of this year, but also next year,” linebacker Nathan Linsey said. “I think he proved himself today, and I think a lot of guys believe in him now and know what he can do.”
Kicker experiment over?
The Dustin Andrews experiment might be finished.
Andrews had his extra point attempt blocked in the first quarter, which was the same result of his only attempt the previous week against Fort Hays State.
Will Maxwell replaced Andrews to kick the extra point in the third quarter, which most likely earned him his job back.
“I don’t know about this experiment,” Higgins said. “I love D.A. to death and I know we’re enjoying him being out there, but there comes a time when you’ve got to make them.”
Andrews, a guard on the basketball team and an All-American high jumper, joined the team before the Fort Hays State game.
Basketball coach David Moe suggested that Andrews, who played soccer growing up, try out for the kicker job, and the ESU coaches decided to give him a shot.
Maxwell, who had made only 9-of-13 extra points and was 0-for-2 on field goals, got demoted with Andrews’ arrival.
Running backs
at receiver
Running backs La’Darrian Page and Adrian Abner both lined up regularly at receiver on Saturday, often giving the Hornets all three of their backs on the field at the same time with Kevin Smart in the backfield.
Page had a game-high five catches for 106 yards, and Abner had four receptions for 25 yards.
“I’m a big believer in you try to get your best football players out there on the field by utilizing your personnel,” Higgins said. “To me, those are three quality running backs, and they need to be on the field as much as they can. That’s a way we can get them out there on the field.”
Woods working
out at safety
Chris Woods continued to shine in his new role as the team’s starting safety.
Woods made the move from receiver to safety before the Fort Hays State game because of injuries in the secondary.
He intercepted a pass for the second straight week against Nebraska-Omaha.
“He’s made two plays the last two weeks,” Higgins said. “He’s found a home back there in the secondary, and I knew all along he was going to be a guy who could make some plays.”
Woods left the game late with an ankle injury, but Higgins said after the game that Woods was fine. Defensive end Tyrone Weaver, who also left late with what appeared to be a shoulder injury, also said after the game that he was fine. Weaver said it was just a stinger.
hornetfan00 (anonymous) says...
the photo with "Nathan Linsey" not stopping UNO score?
that's not Nathan.....
October 6, 2009 at 10:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hornets (anonymous) says...
Nice game Tyler no turnovers.
October 6, 2009 at 3:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )