Story by UNK Athletic Communications
Super senior southpaw quarterback Braden Gleason threw five touchdown passes and the Emporia State defensive had three interceptions and five sacks as part of a 37-19 win over Nebraska Kearney Saturday in Kansas.
The Hornets, who’ve spent much of the year nationally-ranked, improve to 7-2 while the Lopers fall to 2-7. E-State has now won five of the last seven meetings between the two, but UNK still leads the all-time series, 14-13.
“We got up 10-0 and our guys were fired up, ready to go and they embraced the weather. I’ve coached a long time … there was a lot of rain and other (weather) things that went on,” said UNK head coach Ryan Held. “To get up 10-0 and to have it turn like that is amazing.”
On a cold, wet and windy day, things started off well for the Blue & Gold as they jetted out to a 10-0 lead. The defense forced the fast-paced Hornet offense to punt on three of their first four drives with the other one ending when sophomore end Jack Johnson (Kearney) picked off Gleason in Hornet territory.
That led to a 35-yard field goal by junior Kyle Failing (Port Orchard, Wash.) with UNK’s taking a two-score lead early in the second quarter. A 13-play, 57-yard drive featured a three-yard run by sophomore back Zane Schawang (Waverly) on 4th & 1 from the Hornet five with Schawang then scoring on second down.
However, it was all Emporia from there as Gleason now has 112 career scores (99 passing and 13 rushing). He had TD tosses of 34, 10, 12, 19 and 15 yards as the Hornets led 18-10 at the half and 32-10 entering the fourth. The Lopers fumbled the second half kickoff which led to a zero-yard fumble return for six points and a 25-10 lead.
“We had four turnovers, went 4 of 17 on third down. We had 75 plays but not enough yardage to go with it when you add in the lost plays,” said Held. “Our defense played well early but we’re just not getting it done as coaches, we’re not getting it done as players.”
Most of ESU’s scoring drives weren’t that long as they turned two of the INT’s into TD’s with some short punts, which had to battle the wind, allowing them to start in UNK territory. Their average starting field position was their own 41-yard line and in the second quarter it moved up to the Loper 44-yard line.
Gleason’s favorite targets on the year, receivers Jaylen Varner and Tyler Kahmann, were busy again as they were targeted 26 times. Varner had 10 catches for 79 yards and one TD with Kahmann scoring twice on six grabs for 61 yards.
“We can’t seem to hold leads and then these momentum plays happen. For once, we won time possession, but 17 points isn’t good enough. The turnovers are catastrophic especially the opening kick of the second half,” said Held.
ESU had just a 343-225-yard advantage as they ran seven fewer plays than UNK. The defense managed 14 tackles for a loss of 59 yards including those five sacks (38 yards). Bringing back the three picks for 10 yards, the Hornets also blocked a punt.
“I think there was about 10 minutes left. We’re down 15 with the wind at our backs but we just couldn’t hold it up front. Gave up a couple of sacks and lots of pressures,” said Held. “It’s been a tough stretch (four teams that are or have been nationally-ranked). We’re all frustrated.”
Redshirt senior linebacker Chance Rodriguez (seven tackles, two sacks), redshirt junior defensive back Bo Odum (seven tackles, one INT) and redshirt freshman DB Tyler Schultze (blocked punt & TD fumble return) led that side of the ball.
UNK saw QB TJ Davis (Colorado Springs) record career TD number 118, tying Jake Spitzlberger’s record. The score was an 11-yard rush with 12:43 remaining and is the 59 rushing TD of his career. He also has 58 passing and one receiving score.
Davis ran 29 times for a net of 118 yards but lost 41 yards, mainly on four sacks. In the air, he was 8 of 19 for an even 100 yards and two INT’s. Next, redshirt sophomore QB Sean Johnson Jr. (Orlando) was 3 of 6 for 23 yards and one INT while rushing four times for two yards and was sacked once. He had an 11-yard run with Davis having a team-best 17-yard scamper. Next, grad transfer and receiver Severyn Foster (Lincoln SE) was one of 10 Lopers targeted and had five receptions for a season-high 74 yards. Finally on offense, junior AJ McPhee (Belle Glade, Fla.) had two grabs for 30 yards with senior receiver Bailey Torres (Cerritos, Calif.) bringing back a kick 47 yards.
Tackle Tell Spies (Mullen) and end Delonte Dickey (Greenwood Village, Colo.) combined for a sack with corner Armani Webster (Chicago) and safety Tre O’Guinn (Peoria, Ariz.) at six stops apiece. Webster also broke up two passes with O’Guinn having a forced fumble.
UNK closes on the 2023 home slate next Saturday when Lincoln University (0-8) comes to Foster Field at 12 p.m.