The No. 8 Emporia State football team overcame a 21-10 second quarter deficit by scoring 28 unanswered points on the way to a 58-38 victory over Central Missouri on Homecoming at Welch Stadium in Emporia on Saturday night. Central Missouri opened the game on fire scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions while the Hornets settled for an early field goal before getting into the end zone on their second possession. The first of two Ethan Schultze touchdowns cut the Mule lead to 21-17, but UCM was driving in the ESU red zone looking for more when the Hornet defense came up with one of their biggest plays of the year. Senior Clem McCullough picked off a Jordan Pachot pass in the end zone and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown and Carlos Strong Jr. forced a fumble at the end of the first half to give ESU a 24-21 lead at the break. McCullough thought he might have a chance to go the distance when he made the pick.
ESU received the opening kick of the second half and Corey Turner II ran it back 91 yards for a touchdown to put ESU in front 31-21. The Hornets scored just over three minutes later on Schultze’s second touchdown reception of the game to lengthen the Hornet advantage to 38-21. Trenden Collins scored a touchdown in the third as ESU put 31 points on the board in the frame, one shy of an all-time Hornet record. The Hornets led by as many as 27 in the fourth period and coasted to victory. Head coach Garin Higgins said his team has overcome everything that’s been thrown at them this season.
The Hornets forced five turnovers in the game with four interceptions and one fumble recovery. Clem McCullough had nine tackles with two interceptions. Quarterback Jamison Sarver returned from injury and threw for 304 yards with 4 touchdowns and one interception. Schultze had five catches for 100 yards and the two scores. ESU (8-0, 6-0 MIAA) heads to Bearcat Stadium to face Northwest Missouri on Halloween and with a win would secure a share of the MIAA title. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. with coverage at 1:00 p.m. on Mix 104.9.
