The Truman Bulldogs return to the scene of one of their biggest wins from last season as they visit the Emporia State Hornets on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
The Bulldogs are looking to break a three-game winless streak while the Hornets righted their ship with a big win over Lincoln (Mo.).
The Bulldogs scored 13 points in the final 4:47 to erase a 10-point deficit against ESU and won 37-34 when Will Mosquera caught a one-yard touchdown pass from Phil Davis.
Emporia gained 252 yards on the ground but had just 47 through the air while the ‘Dogs had a balanced attack of 173 rushing and 201 passing in the win.
This is the third straight road game for Truman as they are winless in their two previous road games and three overall.
The Bulldogs fell 45-7 to Missouri Western last Saturday in St. Joseph’s but did set season highs in rushing yards with 158.
J.B. Clark and Conrad Schottel combine for 13-of-36 passing for 133 yards while Harnish Ayora had a season-high 82 yards rushing and Donald Harvey adding 65 for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs played four nationally ranked teams in their first six games going 2-4 during that span.
They have since lost their last two road games by a 24-17 margin at Missouri Southern and last Saturday’s 45-7 loss at Missouri Western, who is just outside the top 25.
Richie Schumacher is one of just four defensive starters left from last season as the Bulldog “D” has fought the injury bug on that side of the ball.
Schumacher is among the nation’s leaders in tackles with 102 through eight games and is on pace to record the most tackles by a Truman defensive player since the mid-70s.
Ayora leads the rushing attack with 365 yards on 81 carries while Clark has completed 50% of his passes for 1686 yards and 10 touchdowns. Anthony Brown and Dallas Clark have combine for 82 catches for over 1000 yards.
Emporia led just 21-17 against winless Lincoln at the half on Saturday on the road in Jefferson City but scored 31 points in the second half to cruise for a 52-23 victory over the Blue Tigers.
The Hornets chewed up 563 total yards including over 300 on the ground against Lincoln with Dasor Horton carrying the ball just eight times for 120 yards and Tyler Eckenrode passing for 241 on 14 completions.
After starting the season 0-3, Emporia is 3-2 in their last five games with a balanced offensive attack of 175.8 yards rushing and 160 yards passing thus far.
Horton has carried the ball 76 times for 417 yards with La’Darrian Page (296/54 att) and Adrian Abner (266/67 att) sharing time in the backfield.
Eckenrode has completed 61% of his passes for 1994 yards and 13 touchdowns while being picked up seven times.
Courtesy Truman State University
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