September 6th, 2026 12:15am
September 5, 2026-Emporia State held Pittsburg State to just 279 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers in a 21-10 win over the #10 Gorillas on Saturday night in Pittsburg, Kan.
The teams traded three and outs to start the game before the Hornets went on a nine play, 55 yard drive to take the lead. Ben Harris was four for seven for 40 yards and added a 19 yard rush on the drive before Camden Crooks scored from one yard out to give the Hornets a 7-0 lead with 7:50 left in the first quarter.
The ESU defense forced another three and out by the Gorillas, capped by a third down sack by Gabe Booker and Christian Westbrooks. The Hornets made it 14-0 on the next possession on a two yard touchdown pass from Harris to Trenden Collins with 2:36 remaining in the half.
Pitt State got back in the game on their next possession when Jake Wolff hit TJ Starks for 57 yards on their first play. Five plays later Syre Padilla scored from three yards out to cut the lead in half at 14-7 with 17 seconds left in the first quarter.
The second quarter started with four consecutive punts, the last of which saw the Gorillas down Tyler Antle's 39 yard punt at the three yard line. The Hornets answered with a 12 play, 97 yard drive capped by Crooks one yard touchdown run with 5:12 left in the half for a 21-7 lead. Emporia State's defense forced another punt and were able to run out the final 1:52 of the half to take a 21-7 lead to the locker room.