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Keys To Watch:

1 – Move The Chains

The Bulldogs will look to establish some drives against the 6th ranked MIAA defense in Emporia State.

The Hornets allow 400 yards of total offense per game while the ‘Dogs are averaging 322.

 The Bulldogs have two offensive touchdowns and five field goals when starting drives inside their own 30 yardline this season.

2 – Protect The Ball

Emporia State has a league-best 23 turnovers gained and the top turnover margin in the MIAA.

They have 14 interceptions through eight games while the Bulldogs have thrown a league-high 13 picks.

3 –Time To Pass

After facing the top two defensive lines in the MIAA in terms of pass sacks the past two weeks, the Bulldogs will now face a D-Line that is averaging just 1.38 sacks per game.

4 – Stop The Big Play

The Bulldogs have allowed 22 plays from scrimmage go for more than 30 yards this season but in the two games they have won, allowed three total. 

Last week against Missouri Western, the Griffons scored on plays of 80, 64 and 60 yards. Tyler Eckenrode has five touchdown passes over 50 yards this season for the Hornets.

5 –Out For Revenge

The Hornets have had this game circled on their schedule since the Bulldogs spoiled Homecoming for ESU last year.

 Truman scored 13 points in the final five minutes of the game to win 37-34 at Emporia last season.

The Bulldogs held ESU to just 47 yards passing but gave up 252 yards rushing.

This series has been tight the last five years with the average margin of victory being just six points.

Courtesy Truman State University