HORNET FOOTBALL FALLS TO #23 MISSOURI WESTERN

Box Score

October 31, 2009-Emporia State held the MIAA's second highest scoring offense scoreless in the first quarter and to their lowest first half output of the season but #23 Missouri Western scored 16 second half points for a 29-6 Griffon victory on Jones Field at Welch Stadium.

The two teams were scoreless after the first quarter as ESU held the ball for over ten minutes in the opening frame. Sheldon Smith had 37 of his 68 rushing yards in the first quarter for ESU as he became the fourth Hornet to start at quarterback this season.

Missouri Western broke the scoreless tie with a 35 yard field goal by Brad Beckwith with 7:09 left in the half. The Griffons would go up 10-0 on an eight yard pass from Drew Newhart to Cedric Houston with 2:21 to go in the half. MWSU went up 13-0 with a 41 yard field as time expired in the first half.

On the opening drive of the third quarter Western drove to the ESU one yard line but the Hornet defense held and forced Beckwith's third field goal of the game to go up 16-0.

ESU would drive to the MWSU 24 yard line to open the fourth quarter before Shane Simpon intercepted Andre Sloan El at the Griffon 16 yard line on fourth down. Three plays later Travon Brooks would intercept Newhart at midfield and returned it to the Griffon ten yard line. Kevin Smart would take it to the end zone on the next play to make it 16-6 with 12:07 left in the game.

MWSU then ate 8:46 off the clock on a 14 play, 71 yard drive capped by a Michael Hill five yard run. The extra point missed making the score 22-6 with 3:18 remaining. The final points would come with 2:07 left on a one yard Thomas Hodges run following Simpon's 51 yard return on his second interception.

Smith had 20 carries for 68 yards but was zero for six on pass attempts with one interception. Smart had 14 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown. Sloan El was seven of 14 for 87 yards and two interceptions with Matt Coursen hauling in four catches for 50 yards. Kameron Gee had a game high nine tackles and a pass break up while Nathan Linsey had seven tackles a fumble recovery for the Hornets.

Thomas Hodges had 96 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown for the Griffons. Drew Newhart was 21 of 32 for 232 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Cedric Houston led all receivers with seven catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. Defensively Matt Glades and Sean Whiters each had eight tackles for the Griffons.

ESU is back in action next Saturday in the season finale against Washburn. Kick-off for the Turnpike Tussle is set for 1 p.m. on Jones Field at Welch Stadium. All military veterans can pick up free admission by stopping by the Emporia Convention and Visitors Bureau before 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6.

###HORNETS###