Garin Higgins ties all time win record Emporia State as Hornets beat Missouri Southern
EMPORIA (KSNT) - It wasn't always pretty, but a win is a win.
Emporia State (3-3, 2-2 MIAA) survived Missouri Southern's late comeback attempt, winning 31-24 to win its second-straight game.
It marked head coach Garin Higgins' 116th win, tying Fran Welch for the most all time in school history.
"That has been a collective effort of a great group of coaches I've had through the years," Higgins said. "This is extra which is special and I'm so blessed and thankful to be at my alma mater and do what I love to do."
The Lions struck first in its first possession as Tillman Martin connected with Huston Rotich for a 75-yard touchdown.
ESU responded on the following possession when Ben Harris found Malik O'Atis for a 26-yard score to even the game at 7-7.
Later in the quarter, the Hornets would find the endzone again with a handoff to Diego Cearns for a 19-yard score to give the Hornets a 14-7 lead after a quarter.
In the second, it was Cearns again, striking from eight yards out to extend the lead to 21-7 heading into halftime.
Out of the break, Harris ran from eight yards out to give the Hornets a 28-7 lead heading into the fourth.
Missouri Southern threatened late in the game, outscoring the Hornets 17-3 in the fourth, but Emporia State would hold on for the win.
Harris finished the day 28-39 for 273 yards and one score each through the air and on the ground. He threw two interceptions under the three-minute mark in the first half.
Cearns had the two scores along with 46 rushing yards and two catches for 15 yards. Kingsley Bennet led the receiving core on seven catches for 91 yards while Malik O'Atis had 46 yards on three receptions and a score.
Camden Crooks added 43 rushing yards.
Defensively, Landon Boss had 11 total tackles including four sacks which tied the ESU record. He also added an interception in what was a monster day.
"We just do our jobs every day," Boss said. "We just fight with everything we have and try to get better."
C.J. Adams and Devon Owen also had a sack each.
The Hornets are back in action Oct 18 to square off with Central Oklahoma on the road.
Kickoff from Edmond is set for 7 p.m.