Senior quarterback Braden Gleason accounted for seven total touchdowns as the Emporia State football team defeated Southern Nazarene 55-24 to win the 2023 Fun Town RV Heritage Bowl at Community National Bank & Trust Stadium in Corsicana, Texas on Saturday afternoon. SNU battled early and took the early lead behind Harlon Hill Award candidate Gage Porter who ran 25 times for 257 yards and three touchdowns on the day, but the Hornets’ own Hill Award nominee responded. Gleason finished 35-for-48 for 405 yards and six touchdowns passing while running for a seventh score in his final game as a Hornet. Five different receivers caught touchdowns from Gleason with All-Region receiver Tyler Kahmann leading the way with 11 receptions for 118 yards and two scores. Bo Odom picked off the 18th interception for Emporia State on the season in the game. Gleason talked after the game about the end of his incredible career with Coach Higgins.
Coach Higgins had a difficult time expressing what Gleason has meant to his program.
Emporia State ends the season 9-3 as Coach Higgins improves to 4-1 in bowl games and 14-9 overall as Hornet head coach in the postseason. Gleason was named the Heritage Bowl MVP. Emporia State kicks off the 2024 season in the Turnpike Tussle on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at Welch Stadium.
