Offense: D
The Hornets did not move the ball until the fourth quarter when the Mules had started to put in their backups and the outcome was already decided. The game plan was to attack the Mules downfield, but the ESU offensive line did not give the quarterbacks enough time to throw, giving up five sacks. The Hornets could not sustain drives because of penalties and negative plays and they were an abysmal 2-for-15 on third-down conversions. With quarterback Andre Sloan El out since the second quarter against Missouri Southern and running back Adrian Abner missing the last two games with a high ankle sprain, the ESU offense went five quarters without scoring a touchdown and lacked the rhythm the offense had in the first four games. The good news is Abner and Sloan El should be ready to play next Saturday against Washburn and the offense did show some life in the fourth quarter.
Defense: D
The defense played well on the first two possessions and gave the Hornets a chance to get an early lead and the confidence they needed against a veteran team. But the offense didn’t deliver and then the defense fell apart. Central Missouri’s passing game was built around short passes in the Mules first five games this season. So they caught the Hornets off guard when they threw the ball down the field, utilizing their tight end down the middle. They also snuck running back Glenn Milner out of the back field and he caught touchdown passes of 56 and 49 yards. It was the first time all season the ESU defense had surrendered the big play. UCM quarterback Eric Czerniewski had all the time he wanted to look downfield and Czerniewski had a career day with a career-high four touchdown passes.
Special teams: F
If this game were close, the special teams would have cost the Hornets the game. The game-changing play was a blocked punt in the first quarter that the Mules returned for a touchdown. Emporia State’s punt team also had a bad snap that hit the upback and another Johnny Torres punt was deflected. The Hornets went to a spread-out punt formation several weeks ago because of poor blocking in the more traditional formation. Higgins said they will remain in the spread-out formation because “the other one sucks, too.” Matt Perry missed the Hornets’ only field goal — a 32-yard attempt — and the lone special teams highlight was a Sean Partridge 41-yard punt return in the first quarter.
Notes
•Quarterback Zach Rampy suffered a hip-pointer injury in the first quarter and continued to play. Rampy eventually left the game and was on crutches after the game.
•Freshman linebacker Braxton Owens created confusion in the press box on Saturday when he took the field with No. 10 on his jersey instead of 49.
Next up:
Emporia State travels to Topeka next Saturday to take on rival Washburn. The Ichabods beat Missouri Southern 23-0 on Saturday to win their second league game. Emporia State is 3-3 and 1-3 in the MIAA. Game time is 1 p.m.
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