ESU COMEBACK FALLS SHORT

Box Score

October 18, 2008-Emporia State scored 21 unanswered points in the second half in a 28-21 loss at Missouri Western on Saturday. Andre Sloan El completed 19 of 30 passes in the second half for 242 yards and a touchdown for ESU.

The Hornets fell behind on a Zach Walker one yard run that capped a 12 play, 56 yard drive for the Griffons. ESU then drove to the MWSU 16 yard line before false start penalty forced a 38 yard field goal attempt. The attempt was blocked and five plays later, Drew Newhart connected with Cedric Houston for a 60 yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead. The teams traded three and outs until Western put together a five play, 53 yard drive to go up 21-0 with 6:47 left in the half. The lead went to 28-0 on Walker’s second touchdown of the day with 1:26 left in the half. ESU got down to the MWSU 26 yard line before Sean Whiters intercepted Sloan El with nine seconds left in the half.

The Hornets went three and out on their first possession of the second half and Cedric Houston was waltzing into the endzone at the end of a 39 yard reception when Tyler Mikkelson stripped him of the ball and Kameron Gee recovered it in the endzone taking it out to the eight yard line. ESU went on a 13 play, 92 yard drive to put their first points on the board. Sloan El was six of nine for 84 yards and gained eight yards on four rushes including the touchdown during the drive. The extra point was blocked to make it 28-6 with 6:56 left in the third quarter. The Hornets converted three third down plays on the drive after going three for their previous 39 attempts on third down.

ESU pulled within 28-14 on Sloan El’s second touchdown rush of the game and a two point conversion from Sloan El to Tracy Hageman with 7:59 left in the game. After a five play drive for minus four yards by the Griffons, ESU took advantage of a 25 yard punt by Jamie Hanson to start at the MWSU 47 yard line. After a sack and an incomplete pass, Sloan El connected on three straight passes to three different receivers capped by a 13 yard strike to Danny McEvoy with 4:12 left in the game. The extra point made it 28-21. MWSU would run out the clock thanks to a two yard completion from Newhart to Alvaro Prado on fourth and one with 2:25 left in the game.

Sloan El ended the game 28 of 46 for 300 yards and a touchdown and gained 32 yards on 14 carries. Sean Partridge had seven catches for 85 yards and Tracy Hageman pulled in seven catches for 68 yards. McEvoy had two catches for 47 yards and a touchdown. Defensively Tyler Mikkelson had ten tackles and a forced fumble to lead ESU.

The Hornets are back in action next Saturday when they take on Truman on Jones Field at Welch Stadium. Kick off for the Homecoming contest is set for 1 p.m.