After a 20-point third quarter by No. 14 Northwest Missouri the Hornets fell 41-14 at the Homecoming game on Nov. 1 at Welch Stadium.
Taking the lead from the start, the Hornets stopped the Bearcats on downs during their opening possession. A 55 yard touchdown run by redshirt sophomore running back Diego Cearns put the Hornets on the board 7-0.
After both teams traded punts, NWMS completed a 28 yard touchdown pass with 3:53 left to tie the game. With three seconds left in the quarter, the Bearcats grabbed the lead after a 25 yard run.
Neither team scored in the second quarter.
Senior kicker Caden Dodson failed to make a 39 yard field goal with 9:37 left in the quarter and the Hornet defense forced a punt after receiving the ball at the nine yard line.
ESU lined up as if they were going for a 42 yard field goal but ran a fake, following a second down sack and an incomplete pass. Redshirt junior wide receiver Darby Rober attempted to throw to redshirt freshman stinger back Sam Hull across the middle, but was hit, and left the ball to be recovered by Northwest.
The teams traded punts until Northwest Missouri drove to the ESU 40 yard line. Graduate student defensive back Nehemiah Figueroa intercepted a shot by the Bearcats in the endzone to go into the half 14-7.
From their own 46 yard line, ESU was stopped from completing fourth and one and the Bearcats scored from five yards out. With 9:27 left in the third quarter, Northwest Missouri led 21-7.
Freshman quarterback Jamison Sarver’s throw was intercepted on the Hornets’ next possession.The Bearcats returned it 21 yards to the ESU three before Sarver proceeded with a tackle on the Bearcats. The next play helped the 28-7 leading Bearcats with 9:08 left in the third as they were able to score a touchdown. They went on to increase their advantage 34-7.
On the next possession, the Hornets had no choice but to punt. However, Northwest Missouri forced a fumble on the return and junior defensive back Clem McCullough got his hands on it at the Bearcats 19 yard line.
Sarver completed a pass to redshirt sophomore wide receiver Malik O’Atis, six plays later, for eight yards to trim the Hornets deficit 34-14 with 26 seconds left in the third quarter. Getting the last touchdown of the night on a four yard run was the Bearcats, leaving the final score 41-14.
Hornet football is currently 4-5 on the season and will travel to Topeka, KS to take on the Ichabods of Washburn in the Turnpike Tussle at 1:00 PM on Nov. 8.
