The 24th nationally-ranked Emporia State football team improved their undefeated record to 4-0 last Saturday afternoon over a talented, yet injury Northeastern State, 45-24.
The Hornets, who lead the nation in points per game average, were lead yet again by rising star quarterback Brent Wilson, who had over 400 yards passing and five touchdown tosses. After his eyebrow raising performance Saturday, Wilson is now tied for fourth in single season touchdown passes with 19 in just his first four starts. He needs only 10 more to break the record set by previous ESU quarterback Tyler Eckenrode just last season, the Hornets have 6 games remaining.
“Breaking records is always nice but as long as we keep getting those W’s that’s all that matters at end of the day,” Wilson, a sophomore business management major, said. “We have a long ways to go, and our goal is to score. If it’s through the air, we’ll take it, but if it’s on the ground that’s better for me. As long as we’re scoring points and winning ball games, the records will fall if they need to.”
The Hornets got off to a less than stellar start as the Riverhawks started off the game on the opening drive with a 20-yard screen pass that culminated in a six-play 75-yard touchdown drive taking only two minutes and 35 seconds off of the clock. The Hornets were eager to strike back but failed to do so turning the ball over on downs on their own side of the field.
The Hornets did have a couple of big plays in the first half, both involving Kavaski Ervin, sophomore wide receiver, one on special teams where he was able to block a punt, and the other a 60-yard touchdown pass from Wilson. Neither was able to spark the momentum the Hornets needed.
The Riverhawks took a chance on a long 46-yard field attempt goal going into the half time break and missed giving the hornets a 21-17 edge at the break. Garrin Higgins, head coach, was not pleased with the Hornets lack luster half but was quick to give credit to give credit to NSU’s ability to play hard through injuries
“(We should) give credit Northeastern’s ability to play hard through all of the injuries they have had,” Higgins said. “They played hard today. They never quit, and we just didn’t play up to our abilities especially defensively in the first half.”
The only momentum shift the Hornets were able to get was a late third quarter 18-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Ray Ray Davis. This gave the Hornets a 28-17 lead going into the fourth – a quarter dominated by ESU, 17-7.
“We got to play all four quarters,” Davis, a senior business major, said. “We can’t come out and play flat the next couple of weeks, so we’ve got to get it figured out in practice this week and come out ready to play.”
Up next, the Hornets travel to Jefferson City, Mo. Saturday to play Lincoln. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. Last season, the Hornets defeated the Blue Tigers, 37-26, at Welch Stadium.