Blackcreek Diesel & Automotive

10/25/2026

What a night under the lights at Welch Stadium last night! Absolute electric environment as we watched the Hornets move to 8-0. Congratulations to the team, coach Higgins and his entire staff.

10/24/2026

We’ve got a big one on tap tonight at 7 p.m. as the University of Central Missouri Mules come to town for Emporia State’s Homecoming! At 5–2 overall and 4–1 in conference play, the Mules will provide a tough test for our undefeated, No. 8 Hornets under the lights at Welch Stadium on Blackcreek Diesel Field.

Central Missouri brings the fourth-ranked passing offense and 11th-ranked total offense in Division II. Those numbers deserve respect, but explosive offenses are nothing new for this Hornet defense. ESU has already knocked off Missouri Western, which currently boasts the nation’s third-ranked passing attack.

The Mules are also averaging 37 points per game and completing more than 66% of their passes. Certainly a formidable opponent, but our Hornets have answered that kind of challenge before. In their third game of the season and home opener, they held Michigan Tech scoreless in the second half of a 34–20 win. That same Tech team now ranks 13th nationally in scoring offense.

Central Missouri isn’t the only team bringing impressive numbers to the field. Emporia State leads the country in team tackles for loss, ranks third in defensive touchdowns and sits 16th in red-zone defense. That’s a defense capable of disrupting drives, taking points off the board and putting a few up itself.

The Hornet offense has numbers of its own, checking in at 31st nationally in passing offense and 29th in completion percentage. Tonight, protecting the football, staying ahead of the chains and finishing drives will be critical. Against a team like Central Missouri, you can’t afford to waste possessions.

By the numbers, this has all the makings of an electric football game. But once that ball is kicked, it comes down to ex*****on, discipline and winning the next snap.

Let’s pack Welch Stadium, welcome our alumni home and give these Hornets a Homecoming atmosphere worthy of the season they’re building.

Tonight at 7. Under the lights. Let’s go to work, maybe knock out a mouth piece or 11.

This is Hornet Football and we’re still HUNTING

10/24/2026

LETS GOOOOOOOO!

10/20/2026

October 20, 2026-Emporia State's Jake Tucker was named the D2Football.com National Defensive Player of the Week following the Hornets 23-16 win over Central Oklahoma. In his first career start Tucker had career highs of eight tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks along with a forced fumble and...

10/20/2026

Emporia State linebacker Jake Tucker has been selected as the D2Football.com National Defensive Player of the ...

10/13/2026

NO. 8 IN THE NATION. SIX WINS. ZERO LOSSES.
TWO MIAA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK.

NOW BRING IT HOME. 🐝🔥

The Hornets handled business in Joplin, 35–21, and brought back more than another win.

Jamison Sarver earned MIAA Offensive Player of the Week after completing 38 of 44 passes for 312 yards and FOUR touchdowns. Landon Boss claimed his FIFTH Defensive Player of the Week award this season, delivering a strip-sack and taking it 31 yards to the house.

That’s production. That’s finishing. That’s a team making its presence felt.

This Saturday, the University of Central Oklahoma comes to Blackcreek Diesel Field with a familiar face leading the charge. Interim head coach Cody Swanson is an Emporia native, ESU graduate, former Hornet defensive lineman and former ESU graduate assistant. He knows Welch Stadium, and his Bronchos arrive fresh off a 31–10 win over Fort Hays State.

Welcome back, Coach. The hometown connection gets our respect.
THE NEXT SIXTY MINUTES BELONG TO THE COMPETITION.

Hornets: control the trenches. Finish the tackles. Make them fight for every first down. Six wins have brought us here. Win number seven still has to be earned.

Emporia, bring a crowd that matches this team’s intensity. Fill the stands. Get on your feet. When Central Oklahoma faces third down, make sure they hear ALL OF US.

At Blackcreek Diesel & Automotive, we’re proud to have our name on the field. Saturday, let’s make that field the toughest place on their schedule.

📍 Blackcreek Diesel Field at Welch Stadium
🗓 Saturday, October 17 | 1 p.m.
🏈 Emporia State vs. University of Central Oklahoma

PACK WELCH. PROTECT OUR HOUSE. GO EARN SEVEN.

THIS IS HORNET FOOTBALL

10/12/2026

Let’s go!!!!

Emporia State Football now sits at #8 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and #9 in the D2 Football poll after the latest rankings releases on Monday!

The Hornets currently sit at 6-0, matching their best start since the 2015 season!

10/09/2026

NO. 9 IN THE NATION. UNBEATEN. AND NOWHERE NEAR SATISFIED. 🐝🔥

Joplin, you’re next.

Tomorrow, the Hornets roll into Missouri Southern with five wins behind them and sixty minutes of business in front of them. Bring the noise. Bring the pressure. Make them earn every blade of grass.

Today, we lost Coach Mike Ditka, a football legend who understood exactly what this game demands:

“There’s more to winning than just wanting to.”

Win the trenches. Finish the block. Wrap up. When the fourth quarter comes and the legs get heavy, find another gear. Make the next play hurt their chances more than the last one did.

That No. 9 ranking puts a target on your back. Wear it proudly. Then give them sixty minutes they won’t forget.

All of us at Blackcreek Diesel & Automotive, the name behind Blackcreek Diesel Field, are backing our Hornets to bring that relentless Emporia football on the road.

Saturday. 2 p.m. Missouri Southern.

GO TAKE WIN NUMBER SIX.

THIS IS HORNET FOOTBALL 🐝🏈🔥

10/09/2026

10/03/2026

#10 IN THE NATION.

But nobody gives a damn about a number when that ball gets kicked off.

You come into Blackcreek Diesel Field, you better be ready for four quarters of football.

Hit. Respond. Get back up. Do it again.

The Emporia State Hornets are handling business at home, and they’re doing it the way football is supposed to be played — fast, physical, disciplined and mean between the whistles.

Rankings are earned.

Respect is earned.

Keep stacking wins. Keep climbing. Keep making people pay attention.

This is HORNET FOOTBALL.

This is BLACKCREEK DIESEL FIELD.

#10 — AND STILL HUNTING.