By: Jeff Weseloh, Director of Athletics Media Relations
Game Notes | Live Stats | Live Audio | Live Video
Opponent: #23 Emporia State
Time: Saturday, October 12th; 2:00 PM
Location: Welch Stadium; Emporia, Kansas
Bolivar, Mo. - SBU is set to play their second straight ranked opponent on Saturday, when they travel to #23 Emporia State. The Bearcats are coming off of a 44-21 loss at home against #15 Washburn. SBU quarterback
Willie Tindal is averaging 289.0 yards through the air for the first four games, while wide receiver
Derwyn Lauderdale is averaging 113.4 receiving yards per game.
Shaquille Shedd leads the Bearcat defense with 44 total tackles, while
Ivan Hodges has 2 interceptions.
Craig Schuler continues his first season on the Bearcat bench after coming to SBU from Lindenwood University. Coach Schuler completed his ninth year as an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Lindenwood this past season where he also served as recruiting coordinator. Schuler led one of the most prolific offenses in the nation during his tenure at Lindenwood, including averaging 45 points per game since the beginning of the 2009 season (45-game stretch). In 2010 Schuler's offense averaged a national record 8.94 yards per snap.
Garrin Higgins is in his seventh season at Emporia State where he has compiled a 29-37 record. Higgins career record stands at 80-46, spanning 12 seasons.
Emporia State leads the all-time series against the Bearcats, 16-3. ESU claimed the last meeting, 19-15, at SBU in 2012.
Emporia State comes into the game against the Bearcats with a 5-0 (5-0 MIAA) record and are ranked #23 in the latest AFCA Top 25 Poll. The Hornets are led on offense by Brent Wilson who averages 330.6 yards passing with 20 touchdowns to 1 interception on the season. On the ground Dozie Iwuagwa leads ESU with 67.8 rushing yards per game, while Austin Willis is the leading receiver averaging 141.6 receiving yards per game and Ray Ray Davis averages 92.6 receiving yards per game. Defensively Emporia State has forced 13 turnovers, while Deshawn Dinwiddie leads the team with 35 tackles and Chris Poston has a team high 3 interceptions.
