The Emporia State football team held #10 Pittsburg State to just 4 of 16 on third down on the way to a 21-10 victory over the Gorillas at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg, Kan. on Saturday. Each team struggled in their early possessions, but E-State broke through with 7:50 in the the first on a 1-yard Camden Crooks touchdown run, his first of two in the first half. Trenden Collins caught a 2-yard pass as ESU capped off a 9-play 75 yard drive to lead 14-0. Pitt State used a 57-yard pass to set up a short score late in the first to get within seven, but ESU mounted a 12-play 97 yard drive late in the second quarter to take a 21-7 lead into the half. Neither team scored in the third quarter and Pitt State could only manage a field goal in the fourth. ESU held the Gorillas without scores twice in the red zone in the second half while Landon Boss and Aiden Hicks both came up with second-half interceptions. ESU outgained Pitt State 412 yards to 279 while converting on 7 of 15 third downs. Head coach Garin Higgins said it was an all-time physical performance for his team.
Captain Clem McCullough said the defense was confident that they could shutdown the PSU offense.
Crooks ran 14 times for 50 yards and two scores. Malik O’Atis caught eight balls for 66 yards. Quarterback Ben Harris was 27-42 for 297 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Chance Clements led the defense with eight tackles. It’s the first time ESU has won back-to-back games at Pitt State since 1952 after beating the Gorillas in 2024 24-21. The 1952 game capped off a four-game winning streak for ESU at Pitt State. This is just the second time in the history of the series ESU has won consecutive games at PSU. ESU (2-0, 1-0 MIAA) returns home for Opening Day at Welch Stadium on Saturday, September 12. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. on Mix 104.9.
