HORNET FOOTBALL OPENS SEASON WITH 48-17 WIN

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August 27, 2009-Emporia State’s LaDarrian Page gained 153 yards on 16 carries with three touchdowns while Adrian Abner added 109 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown as the Hornets defeated Southwestern Oklahoma State 48-17 on Thursday night at Jones Field at Welch Stadium. It was the seventh time in 19 years two Hornets have gained 100 yards in the same game as ESU rushed for 399 yards on the night.

The Hornets took the opening kick-off and went 65 yards in seven plays to take a 7-0 lead on Page’s nine yard run. After forcing a three and out on the Bulldogs first drive, the Hornets used three penalties and two rushing plays to take a 14-0 lead at the 10:22 mark. SWOSU pulled within 14-7 on a 27 yard pass play from Steve Day to John Haggerty. The Hornets ended the first quarter scoring with a two play, 72 yard touchdown drive. Page started the drive with a 50 yard run and Andre Sloan El finished it with a 22 yard scoring strike to Shjuan Richardson for a 21-7 lead.

A Chad McIntosh field goal from 22 yards out cut the lead to 21-10 with 12:33 left in the first half. The Hornets pushed the lead to 27-10 at the half on a Kevin Smart two yard touchdown run.

ESU started the second half by holding SWOSU to a three and out, one of ten three and outs on the night for the Bulldogs. After trading possessions, the Hornets forced a fumble and Page scored his third touchdown of the night to cap a three play, 20 yard drive and give ESU a 34-10 lead. The Bulldogs put together just their second drive of over 50 yards as J.R. Hammond capped a seven play 69 yard drive with a 38 yard touchdown run. The Hornets opened the fourth quarter with a six play 35 yard drive following a Chris Poston interception. Tracy Hageman’s three yard touchdown grab from Zach Rampy made it 41-17 with 12:36 left. Abner ended the scoring with a seven yard touchdown run to cap an 11 play, 54 yard drive that took 5:24 off the clock.
The Hornets ended the game with 399 yards rushing and 494 yards of total offense.

Emporia State will now travel to Sioux Falls, S.D. to take on Augustana College. It will be the first game in Augie’s Kirkeby-Overton Stadium.

NOTES
ESU’s 399 yards rushing is the most by the Hornets since gaining 446 against Truman on Oct. 28, 2000
Page’s three touchdowns are the most by a Hornet in a single game since ElRay Henry scored three TD’s in ESU’s 59-57 four overtime loss to Pittsburg State on Sept. 30, 2006.
ESU has now won nine straight season openers.
Tonight was the first time ESU has had two running backs over 100 yards since Justin Weiser (127) and Seville Ko (106) pulled the trick against Truman on Oct. 27, 2007.
ESU forced four turnovers with just one of their own.

###HORNETS###