Emporia State couldn't sustain the momentum of scoring the first touchdown of the game on Saturday at Welch Stadium, losing to fifth-ranked Northwest Missouri 45-12.
The Hornets (1-7, 0-6 MIAA) went 73 yards in 11 plays on the game's opening drive, and Danny McEvoy caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Andre Sloan El at the 9:40 mark of the first quarter to make it 6-0. Emporia State failed on the 2-point conversion attempt, and Northwest quickly erased the Hornet lead with a 21-yard scoring pass from Blake Bolles to Kyle Kilgore, plus the extra point to make it 7-6.
Blake Ringwall picked off Bolles on Northwest's next drive, but the Hornets couldn't capitalize, and two Bolles touchdown passes helped the Bearcats forge a 24-6 lead at the half. The game was well out of reach for ESU by the end of the third quarter after a 3-yard TD reception by Jake Soy and a nine-yard scoring run by LaRon Council.
Sloan El started at quarterback in place of Tyler Eckenrode, who injured his shoulder in practice late this week. Sloan El added a late 31-yard TD pass to McEvoy and finished 12-of-26 for 175 yards with three interceptions. McEvoy finished with six receptions for 142 yards, including a 50-yard catch to go with his two TD receptions.
Along with Eckenrode, ESU was also missing two of its top three running backs in La'Darrian Page, who was out with a hamstring injury, and Kevin Smart, who had the flu. Kickers Dustin Andrews (flu) and Will Maxwell (pregame injury) were also out on Saturday; linebacker Katrel Larkins kicked off to Northwest after the Hornets' first score, and running back Adrian Abner kicked off after that.
Northwest registered 514 total yards of offense. LaRon Council carried 20 times for 126 yards, and receiver Jake Soy caught six passes for 148 yards.
For more on Saturday's game, please see Monday's Gazette.
Comments
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Posted by footballeyes (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sure Bigbyrd and 007 will have more explanations (excuses) for this one- no need to post comments this week since no other teams have injuries or underclassmen.
Posted by OLDCOACH (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was a coach for over 30 years, and i know football. This team has had really bad luck with health this year, and in the MIAA, thats thats tuff! D2 schools get half the scholarships that a D1 school gets, and that means its harder to have the depth every team needs. To have over half your defensive starters out, is crippling. The players that are killing themselves every week for their team and their school, deserve our respect and our support! For those sitting on their butts playing playstation, and complaining about ESU's record, Might try getting off the couch and come to a game.
Posted by 007 (anonymous) on October 18, 2009 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
footballeyes, dont put words in my mouth...
You post your comments.....i post mine!
Other than that....we can speak face to face.
Posted by jscott (anonymous) on October 19, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
2003 MIAA Coach of the Year
2003 share of the MIAA Championship
2002 Mineral Water Bowl
2003 NCAA Playoffs - first time in school history
(Past Coaching Staff)
A.D. made change for this adventure
Higgins - 0 - 7 start in MIAA - First Time in School History
Posted by mgdarren (anonymous) on October 19, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OLDCOACH is Right On!!
Posted by footballeyes (anonymous) on October 19, 2009 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OLDCOACH- your statements are a disgrace to the coaching profession. I played for 10 years and never had a coach make excuses for our teams like I've seen you make here. I quit coming to games after what I saw Higgins do in his first year- like I've said many times before- somes coaches have it and some don't. That's in know way a reflection of the young men on the team- I know the effort they must put forth.
Posted by 007 (anonymous) on October 20, 2009 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
footballeyes, it's not an excuse...it's reality!
Who are you to judge?
Posted by footballeyes (anonymous) on October 20, 2009 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
00- the reality is the last 3 seasons- even Ray Charles could see it coming.
Posted by admireed (anonymous) on October 20, 2009 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
football....should have used another example. You will be charged with being a bigot
Posted by BIGBYRD (anonymous) on October 20, 2009 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oldcoach, your 100% right. Sure, this season has been a bad one, but you can only play the cards you get. As for all the fairweather fans, if they want to meet face to face, thats easy, we'll be the ones at the games, cheering on our team!!
Posted by footballeyes (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BIGBYRD, 007, OLDCOACH & others: You should demand and expect more from this staff- if you can't see what's happened to this program then you probably don't want to.
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