Opening Night Drama
Emporia State opened the 2026 football season on August 27, defeating Minot State 36‑30 in a back‑and‑forth contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The Hornets surged ahead early, capitalizing on a potent passing attack that combined for 237 yards through the air and 191 on the ground, while their defense forced key stops that proved decisive.
Offensive Highlights
Quarterback Ben Harris threw for 237 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, connecting repeatedly with receiver Trenden Collins, who logged eight catches for 71 yards and a score. Running back Camden Crooks powered the ground game with 103 yards, marking his first 100‑yard effort in a season opener since 2014.
The offense also featured a two‑yard touchdown run by Victor Chionuma in the third quarter and an 11‑play, 82‑yard drive orchestrated by Charles Morgan that stretched the lead to 29‑12.
Defensive Resilience
Landon Boss anchored the defense with 17 tackles, including two for loss and a forced fumble, while the unit recorded crucial stops that helped preserve the lead.
A late rally by Minot State, sparked by an onside kick recovery and a 75‑yard touchdown pass from Harris to Ethan Schultze, narrowed the gap to 29‑24, but the Hornets answered with a final drive that sealed the victory.
Historical Context and Looking Forward
The win improved Emporia State’s all‑time season‑opener record to 75‑48‑5 and extended head coach Garin Higgins’s perfect streak in openers to 16 wins out of 19. With the Hornets now 1‑0 and Minot State falling to 0‑1, both teams will look to build on the lessons learned as the season progresses.