The Emporia State football team scored 20 unanswered 2nd half points to out score Nebraska Kearney 20-17 Saturday.
Nebraska Kearney scored on the opening drive of the game to take 7-0 lead. They would add their second touchdown after returning an interception to the 8 yard line. The Lopers added a 31 yard fieldgoal in the 2nd quarter to take a 17-0 lead at halftime.
Emporia State took the opening drive of the 2nd half 90 yards on 11 plays capped by a 6 yard Kai Callins touchdown run. Tyler Harris scored on a 2 yard run with 15 seconds to play in the 3rd quarter to cut the deficit to 17-14 going to the 4th quarter. The Hornets took the lead in the 4th quarter when on 4 down quarterback Braxton Marstall, on a broken play, connected with Justin Brown on an 8 yard pass for the touchdown.
Landon Nault for the 2nd week in a row rushed for over 100 yards finishing with 124 yards.
Braxton Marstall threw for 132 yards and rushed for 72 yards.
The Hornet defense also answered the challenge holding Nebraska Kearney to 82 yards of total offense in the 2nd half.
Senior linebacker Logan Thompson finished with 8 tackles.
Emporia State Coach Garin Higgins was pleased with the way the team responded to the early adversity.
For Emporia State it was the biggest rally since they over came a 18 point deficit against Minnesota State in 2015. And was the biggest halftime deficit to over come since Missouri Southern in 2011.
With the win the Hornets improve to 2-1. Kearney is now 2-1. Emporia State hosts Lindenwood next Saturday with kick-off at 2pm.
