Hornets fall to 0-2 in conference play following loss to Pittsburg State

The Gorillas wasted no time, with a 68-yard rushing touchdown within the game’s first minute to make it 7-0 early.

On their next drive, Pittsburg State would score again, this time via a 4-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead, 14-0.

The Hornets got on the board late in the first thanks to a Caden Dodson field goal from the 29 yard line. Pittsburg State leads Emporia State 14-3 at the end of the first.

Emporia State started the scoring in the second, with a 8-yard pass from Ben Harris to Malik O’Atis to cut Pittsburg State’s lead to 14-10.

After forcing a three and out, the Hornets were quick to add on on the following drive with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Harris to Mason Ford. Despite a blocked extra point attempt, Emporia State would take its first lead of the day, 16-14.

A 10-yard touchdown pass for the Gorillas would wrap up the first half, 21-16.

Pittsburg State would pick up where they left off in the first, with a 7-yard rush for the touchdown, 28-16 Gorillas.

The Gorillas would start to pull away in the fourth, starting the quarter with a 16-yard rushing touchdown to extend their lead to 35-16.

The Hornets would respond on the following drive with a 8-yard rushing touchdown by Diego Cearns, ESU’s first points of the second half. Emporia State cuts the lead in half, 35-23.

A 74-yard rush for Pittsburg State would increase their lead to 42-23.

Camden Crooks would take a 9-yard rushing touchdown to the endzone to make it 42-29, but it wouldn’t be enough.

The Hornets fall to 1-3 on the season and 0-2 in the MIAA.

Emporia State is back in action next Saturday at Missouri Western. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

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