Hornets fall to 1-2 after 34-20 loss to Nebraska-Kearney

KEARNEY, Ne. (KSNT) – Emporia State football falls to 1-2 (0-1) after a 34-20 loss to the University of Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday.

The Lopers struck first this afternoon, with a 30-yard touchdown run to make things 7-0, UNK.

Just a few minutes later, Ben Harris would complete a 55-yard pass to Ethan Schultze to tie things up.

Harris would continue to find success with the long ball, launching a 45-yard touchdown pass to Kingsley Bennett. The missed extra point from Caden Dodson would make it 13-7 ESU.

The Lopers would respond on the following drive, taking the lead with a 2-yard rush, 14-13 UNK.

Kearney’s run game helped the Lopers increase its lead on its next drive, with a 3-yard rush to make it 20-13 UNK at the end of the half.

On its first drive of the second half, Harris would launch one 33 yards down the field to C.J. Adams for the game-tying touchdown, 20-20.

UNK would respond a few drives later with another short touchdown run, this time for 4 yards, to take the 27-20 lead.

A 74-yard touchdown run from UNK’s Isaiah Harris would extend the Loper’s lead to 34-20.

The Hornets would fail to score any points in the final corner, losing its first conference game of the season.

ESU is back at home next Saturday for another conference matchup, taking on Pittsburg State at 1 p.m.