After Emporia State’s upset win against the Pittsburg State Gorillas on Sept. 14, the formerly No. 13 nationally ranked Hornets hosted Missouri Western at Welch Stadium and claimed a 30-27 win at the family day game on Sept. 21.
At just 4:21 left in the first quarter, ESU put the beginning points on the scoreboard with a 25 yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Gunnar Gundy to sophomore wide receiver Trenden Collins. Gundy has received MIAA offensive player of the week twice so far this season and Collins is currently ranked ninth in the MIAA in receptions per game.
With 1:08 left in the first quarter, junior Caden Dodson, ESU’s kicker, hit a 25 yard field goal for a 10-0 lead going into the second period.
In the second period, Missouri Western got off some big plays, the first of which Griffon running back Brandon Hall scored from 52 yards out to make the score 7-10. By the end of the first half, the Griffons managed to score a touchdown and lead 20-10.
In the third, Dodson converted a 33 yard field goal to add three points to the Hornets score. With just 12:42 left in the game, Gundy got off a 26 yard touchdown pass to Tyler Kahmann to tie the game 20-20.
The Griffons were not done making touchdowns though. Hall scored another touchdown from seven yards on a pass from quarterback Kody Kirk to give Western a 27-20 lead. Battling back, the Emporia State Hornets were not done making touchdowns either. Gundy would throw to Kahmann again with 1:42 left in the game to tie 27-27.
The Griffons failed to score in the final minute, causing the game to go into overtime. Dodson would begin overtime with a 36 yard field goal to start the Hornets off with a 30-27 lead. Missouri Western’s failure to score on Emporia State’s defense during overtime resulted in a Hornet win 30-27.
Now ranked No. 11 nationally, the undefeated Hornets will head to Maryville, MO to face off against Northwest Missouri on Sept. 28. The Bearcats sit at 2-2 on the season and are ranked fourth in the MIAA conference.
