Gabriel Molina Maruda
Landon Nault, junior running back, leads a footwork drill during practice Tuesday on Jones Field. The Hornets are getting ready for a match up with Pittsburg State at 2 p.m. Saturday at Welch Stadium.
Emporia State’s offense overtook the scoreboard in a 41-30 win over Lindenwood University last Saturday. The Hornets recorded a season-high 612 offensive yards against the Lions.
Opening the game, the Hornet offense took control. Braxton Marstall, junior quarterback, completed a 72-yard pass to senior wide receiver Louis Dailey on the very first play of the game.
Marstall hit junior slot receiver Denzel Strong with a touchdown pass a minute into the game. Marstall also threw a touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Justin Brown later in the first quarter to increase the lead to 14-0.
Lindenwood scored late in the first half with a 49-yard touchdown run by senior running back Calen Campbell. The score at halftime was 14-7.
After a Lions’ fumble recovery, Lindenwood capitalized on the Hornets’ first drive after halftime. Junior quarterback Najee Jackson ran the ball eight yards to tie the score with 10 minutes left in the third quarter.
In response, ESU’s redshirt sophomore defensive back Dillon Lohr scored his first career rushing touchdown with seven minutes left in the third quarter. The score at the end of the third quarter was 20-14.
Lindenwood closed the score gap with a 20-yard field goal to make the score 20-17. Redshirt sophomore running back Kai Callins answered with an 11-yard touchdown run, increasing the Hornet lead 27-17.
After a Lindenwood turnover, ESU rallied the offense. Led by Marstall, the Hornets scored again with a 5-yard touchdown reception from Marstall to Callins with less than seven minutes left in the game.
The Lions scored an easy touchdown as quarterback Jackson hit senior running back Shakeem Wharton for a seven-yard touchdown. The score, with three minutes left in the game, was 34-24.
The Hornet offense rushed the ball quickly down the field and scored on a 10-yard touchdown run by Callins with less than two minutes to go in the game.
In a quick attempt to close the score gap, Lindenwood scored on a three-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to freshman wide receiver Kai Collier. The score with 32 seconds left was 41-30.
ESU ran out the clock, finalizing the 41-30 win.
Defensively, the Hornets had a strong day. Senior linebacker Gabe Cleveland finished the day with 10 tackles and half of a sack. Redshirt freshman linebacker Luke Meyer contributed with eight tackles, a pass break-up, and a fumble recovery.
After this weekend, ESU’s record is 4-3. The Hornets will return to play Pittsburg State at 2 p.m. Oct. 21 at Welch Stadium.