ESU COMES FROM BEHIND FOR WIN

Box Score

October 25, 2008-For the second straight week, Emporia State outscored their opponents 21-0 in the second half and this week came away with a 35-24 victory over Truman on Homecoming Saturday at Jones Field at Welch Stadium.

Truman opened the scoring with a 73 yard touchdown pass from Matt Ticich to Albert Coker on the opening drive. ESU would tie the score on a 22 yard touchdown pass from Andre Sloan El to Danny McEvoy with 3:37 left in the first quarter. The Bulldogs responded with a seven play, 58 yard touchdown drive to go up 14-7 on a three yard run by Ticich.

Freshman Chris Poston tied the score for Emporia State on a 38 yard interception return for a touchdown. Truman retook the lead on a 25 yard field goal by Mickey Masucci to start the second quarter. TSU would stretch the lead to 24-14 on a Donald Harvey touchdown run.

The Hornets took control in the third quarter, beginning with an 18 play, 80 yard drive that took 9:25 off the clock. Sloan El’s one yard touchdown pulled ESU to within 24-21 with 2:32 left in the third quarter. On the ensuing kick-off Kurt Webster forced a fumble by Phil Kenney that Kameron Gee picked up and returned32 yards for the go ahead touchdown.

The Hornets went up 35-24 on a three play, 58 yard drive capped by a 46 yard touchdown pass from Sloan El to McEvoy with 6:22 left in the game.
Sloan El finished the game 12 of 21 for 148 yards and two touchdowns and added 97 yards rushing on 24 carries with a TD. McEvoy had three catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively Braxton Owens had a game high 11 tackles and a fumble recovery for the Hornets. Blake Ringwall had ten tackles, a forced fumble and two pass break ups.

Ticich was 17 of 36 for 160 yards and a touchdown passing and led TSU with 64 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown. Jason Their had ten tackles to lead the Bulldogs.

ESU will now travel to Maryville, Mo. next weekend to take on Northwest Missouri State. Kick off from Tjeerdsma Field at Bearcat Stadium is set for 1 p.m.

NOTES:
The 9:35 used on ESU’s first touchdown drive of the second half is the most time used on a TD drive by ESU since the Hornets joined the MIAA. The previous long was a 9:31 drive against Northwest Missouri in 1996.
The 18 plays on the same drive are the most since a 19 play drive against NWMSU in 1996.
ESU has now won nine of their last 13 homecoming contests.
The Hornets have won four home games for the first time since going 4-2 in 2003.