The Emporia State Hornet football team lost 10-27 to Pittsburg State University last weekend at Welch Stadium in a game that was delayed from Saturday to Sunday afternoon due to inclement weather.

“We knew it was going to be an uphill battle coming back today (Sunday),” said Head Coach Garin Higgins. “We also wanted a chance to win the game.”

From the beginning the Hornets were struggling to stop the Pitt State running game. Michael Rose of Pitt State finished with 23 carries and 202 yards. Alongside Rose, Tucker Horak was given 15 carries to gain 98 yards himself.

The Hornets scored a touchdown on an opening drive thrown by Braxton Marstall, junior quarterback, to Louis Dailey, senior wide receiver, for 4 yards.

Pitt State would go on a drive deep into the Hornets red zone to be finished off by an interception by Gabe Cleveland, senior linebacker. This was his first of two interceptions on the day.

The Gorillas struck in the last part of the first quarter with a 59 yard touchdown run by Rose to even the game.

Pitt State scored on their next drive with another touchdown run from Rose to take a 14-7 lead. Pitt would make it a two-score game in the third with a touchdown pass after a forced fumble on Marstall.

The Hornets and Gorillas exchanged field goals making the score 24-10 with 10:08 left in the fourth quarter before the weather delay. When the game resumed on Sunday, Pitt State picked up where they left off and marched down the field but the Hornets held them to a Field goal making it 27-10.

“I believe it benefited us,” said Ace Mayze, senior. “It gave us a chance to regroup and have a dry game to try and execute the new game plan. They came back and executed and it was up to us to stop the option.”

The Hornets will take on Fort Hays State University at 2 p.m. this Saturday in Hays, Kansas.