Hornets drop fourth straight
By C.J. Moore
Originally published 08:32 p.m., September 26, 2009
Updated 10:59 p.m., September 26, 2009
Another week, same problems.
Emporia State had four turnovers — three in the second half — and struggled to stop Fort Hays offense for a half Saturday night.
The two combined led to a 40-20 loss for the Hornets, their fourth straight.
The Tigers passing attack was the story of the first half with the MIAA’s leading passer Mike Garrison picking apart the Hornet secondary for 198 yards and a touchdown, leading Hays to a 24-6 lead at half.
ESU quarterback Andre Sloan El gave the Tigers all 16 of their points in the second half.
Sloan El fumbled, was tackled for a safety and threw an interception. His fumble was in the end zone and Fort Hays State picked up the ball for a touchdown, and his interception was returned 36 yards for a touchdown.
The Hornets had success running the ball with Kevin Smart and La’Darrian Page, but for the fourth straight week, they had to play from behind and lean on their passing game.
Smart had his best game as a Hornet, running for 98 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. He left the game in the third quarter with an elbow injury and said after the game he should be able to return by next week against Nebraska-Omaha.
Page also had his best game since Week Two, running for 66 yards on 13 carries. He helped set up the Hornets’ final touchdown with runs of 10 and 13 yards to get the ball to the 3-yard line. Sloan El threw to Matt Coursen for a touchdown, making it 33-20 with 10:43 left in the game.
Any thoughts of a comeback went away when Sloan El was intercepted by Michael Walker with 7:36 left. The interception was the Tigers first on the season.
Garrison threw for only four yards in the second half, but he did plenty of damage in the first half. With Emporia State playing with a depleted defensive line because of injuries, Garrison had a lot of time to throw and had success throwing the ball down the field.
The Tigers’ first touchdown was set up by a 45-yard pass to O.J. Murdock on their first play from scrimmage. Garrison also hooked up with Murdock for a 52-yard touchdown.
FHSU running back James Walker had the Tigers other two offensive touchdowns and ran for 103 yards.
Emporia State drops to 1-4 and 0-3 in the MIAA. Fort Hays improved to 4-1 and 2-1 in the MIAA.
For complete coverage of Saturday’s game, check Monday’s Gazette.
jmcmannis (anonymous) says...
Tough Break for the Hornets. Sounds like we need a new qb and coach. This is the worst start I have seen from the Hornets since I came to ESU. We need to figure out whats going on and make some changes quick or its going to be a long depressing season.
September 26, 2009 at 11:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
quarterback (anonymous) says...
It has already been a long depressing season. If they can't win games the season will be over quickly.
September 27, 2009 at 11:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jmcmannis (anonymous) says...
True quarterback it has been a long depressing season, and the rest of schedule looks tough. the only team as worse as is Pitt State and Truman I belive. So we may be lucky to get another win.
I will still go and support them when they play UNO at home but have a feeling unless something happens this week we will get spanked.
September 27, 2009 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
countrydog (anonymous) says...
when you get a new coach look for one that and played or coached at the next level or go back and play NAIA FOOTBALL
September 27, 2009 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BIGBYRD (anonymous) says...
The team has found the ticket on offense. The second #25 got the ball, the offense started working. He scored on his first series. He scored on his second series. He scored going for two. Every time he touched the ball we got positive yards. He will open the passing game, and open the door to get Page out in the open, where he shines! They just have to get the defense healthy! They have five or six starters hurt! When they heal their defense, they'll be HARD to beat! I hate losing as much as anyone, but bashing the team helps nothing!
September 28, 2009 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mgdarren (anonymous) says...
I was at the game Saturday, and # 25 was unstoppable. BIGBYRD is right, Smart can make the Run Game & Pass Game open up. Ft. Hays could not begin to stop him.
September 28, 2009 at 11:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jmcmannis (anonymous) says...
"ESU quarterback Andre Sloan El gave the Tigers all 16 of their points in the second half"
This is why I say we need a new QB no matter how hard #25 is at being stopped, as long Sloan El is QB our team will be hard pressed to win. He needs to quit turning the football over.
September 28, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )