Loper Football Falls to #17 Hornets, 19-9

The 17th-ranked Emporia State Hornets scored 16 first quarter points to down Nebraska Kearney, 19-9, Saturday afternoon in Kansas.

E-State, the surprise team in the MIAA, moves to 4-0 while the Lopers fall to 0-3. The Blue & Gold has dropped its three games by a total of 14 points.

The quick-strike Hornets were buzzing on the game’s first drive, going 58 yards in 11plays for a 3-0 lead. They converted a 3rd & 5 play that led to a 34-yard field goal from Brandon McCrary. A few plays later, after UNK apparently converted 3rd & 6 from its own 41-yard line, All-American linebacker Landon Boss picked up a loose ball and rambled 50 yards for a touchdown. After getting a three-and-out, the Hornets went 57 yards in four plays for a 16-0 lead.

“We gave them seven points after a big gain, and you just can’t do that on the road. You take that seven points away and it’s a whole different ball game,” said UNK head coach Ryan Held. “I thought we settled down on defense and they couldn’t do anything. We did a lot of good things at times but a ball off there, just an inch off there and that’s kind of where we’re at right now.”

UNK settled down after the big Emporia start, getting three field goals from sophomore Kaden Kiernan (Kansas City) and shutting down the Hornets' high-octane offense. However, the Lopers couldn’t catch the Hornets.

“Too many penalties; nine for 105 (yards). We had a roughing the passer on third down that was a killer. You just can’t have that,” said Held. “Offensively, we moved the ball but got field goals instead of touchdowns.”

Kiernan broke a 39-year-old school mark by booting a 59-yard field goal with 3:13 left in the first half. That bested the 56-yarder Travis Parker made in a 1987 game vs. Fort Hays State. Later, Kiernan made threes of 25 and 26 yards while missing one from 44 yards into the wind.

Before leaving with injury, junior quarterback Devin Tate (Oxnard, Calif.) was 14 of 25 for 121 yards while running four times for 23 yards. Next, sophomore back Quincey Ryker (Sargent) had 77 yards on 22 carries with three Lopers at three catches apiece. That included sophomore Alex Parks (Overland Park, Kan.).

The Hornets got 126 yards rushing from bruiser Camden Cooks with backup QB Jamison Sarver 20 of 33 for 140 yards. He completed passes to eight teammates led by veteran Ethan Schultze (five for 35 yards).

The Loper defense included six stops from veteran Eddie Whipple (Daytona Beach, Fla.), and five tackles from bother backer Parker Wise (Kearney) and safety
Gunnar Lym (Gretna). Emporia were just 4 of 15 on third down and finished with 280 yards, seven more than UNK.

“At times our defense was lights out. We did some good things on offense but can’t give them seven,” said Held. “I haven’t had a kicker like him in 29 years. He’s good and a weapon. I’d like him to be making extra points instead of field goals.”

UNK hosts the Washburn Ichabods (2-2) next Saturday at Cope Stadium.