The #24 Emporia State football team gave up a Central Missouri single-game program record 981 yards and couldn’t score in the second half in a 77-27 defeat to the #16 Mules at Walton Stadium in Warrensburg, Mo. on Saturday afternoon. The offenses controlled the game early as the teams traded scores after UCM opened the game with back-to-back scores to lead 14-0. The Mules took a 28-20 lead into the second quarter before outscoring ESU 28-7 in the second to lead 56-7 at the half. UCM outscored the Hornets 21-0 in the third to put the game out of reach for Emporia State. The 77 points and 981 total yards were the most allowed by ESU in the program’s NCAA DII era.
Braden Gleason finished 35-for-60 for 349 yards and two touchdowns with one interception to become E-State’s all-time leading passer in yardage. Gleason also carried eight times for 36 yards and two more touchdowns. Tyler Kahmann finished with 10 receptions for 117 yards and a score, all in the first half. UCM quarterback Zach Zebrowski set Mule records for touchdowns in a game, passing touchdowns in a game, and passing yards in a game burning the ESU defense to the tune of 30-for-53 passing for 627 yards and eight touchdowns. Central Missouri running back Marcellous Hawkins carried 12 times for 183 yards and three scores as the Mules rolled up 310 yards on the ground on 33 carries. Hornet head coach Garin Higgins said the team will learn a lot about itself when they see how they respond to the loss.
Emporia State drops to 5-3 with the loss while falling to 4-3 in the MIAA. The Hornets return to action next week at home hosting Homecoming against Nebraska-Kearney. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. Coverage begins at 1:00 p.m. with the RV Doc Pregame Show on Mix 104.9.
