Pittsburg State scored 21 4th quarter points to defeat Emporia State 34-13 in Thursdays home opener for the Hornets.
Emporia State struck first. Landon Nault scored on a 16 yard run to cap a 6 play 83 yard game opening drive. Pittsburg State settled for a field goal to make it 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Pittsburg State took their first lead in the 2nd quarter on a 15 yard B.J Bradbury to KiAnte Hardin touchdown pass. Emporia State retook the lead with 6:33 to play in the first half when Braxton Marstall connected with Justin Brown on a 19 yard touchdown pass. The extra point was missed and the Hornets led 13-10 at halftime.
Pittsburg State tied the game with 8:23 to play in the 3rd quarter on a 28 yard field goal. Emporia State had a chance in the 3rd quarter when, after Jordan Wallace picked off a pass, the Hornets had the ball first and goal at the 4 and did not score. Missing a 19 yard field goal.
In the 4th quarter Pittsburg State scored 3 touchdowns. A 4 yard touchdown pass at the end of a 8 play 98 yard drive. A 56 yard touchdown pass after an interception. And a 7 yard touchdown run to cap off a 8 play 42 yard drive.
Emporia State Head Coach Garin Higgins said they were not good enough.
Emporia State was led by Landon Nault who rushed for 177 yards and scored a touchdown.
Braxton Marstall was 7 for 23 for 72 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Justin Brown had 3 catches for 59 yards and a touchdown.
The Hornets fall to 1-1 for the season and will play at Nebraska Kearney next Saturday.
Pittsburg State is 2-0 and plays at Northeastern State next Saturday.
MIAA Scores:
Northwest Missouri State 38 Washburn 17
Missouri Western 23 Fort Hays State 13
Nebraska Kearney 31 Central Oklahoma 27
Central Missouri 62 Northeastern State 10
