EMPORIA, Kan. (Oct. 5, 2024) – Former Oklahoma State quarterback Gunnar Gundy accounted for five first-half touchdowns to lead No. 18/20-ranked Emporia State past Northeastern State 48-14 on Saturday afternoon on Jones Field at Welch Stadium.
Dereun Dortch and
Luke Milligan split time at quarterback for NSU (0-5), with Milligan providing a highlight with a 42-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to
Dedrek Taylor-Akins. It was the first collegiate touchdown pass for Milligan, first scoring catch at NSU by Taylor-Akins and the third-longest play of the football season so far for the RiverHawks. Milligan completed 9 of 23 passes for 108 yards.
Dortch had a highlight of his own, connecting with
Deuce Roberson – who made an acrobatic catch – on a 14-yard touchdown pass with 5:29 left in the third quarter. That capped a 12-play, 66-yard scoring drive. Dortch finished 6 of 15 passing for 70 yards and rushed nine times for 31 yards. Roberson was a frequent target of both Dortch and Milligan, catching six passes for 74 yards.
Gundy, the son of OSU coach Mike Gundy, completed 40 of 56 passes for 404 yards. He recorded three rushing touchdowns in the first quarter, covering 8 yards, 3 yards and 1 yard. With NSU down 21-0, Milligan's touchdown pass to Taylor-Akins gave the RiverHawks a glimpse of hope, but the Hornets quickly responded, with Gundy hitting Zion Jones on a 22-yard touchdown pass.
Emporia State (5-1) put together its fifth touchdown drive in as many possessions, with Gundy passing to Tommy Zimmerman on a 12-yard scoring pass 3:30 before halftime, then picked up a defensive score. With NSU driving near midfield, C.J. Adams sacked Dortch, who fumbled, with Sage Sieperda picking up the loose fall and returning it for a touchdown in the final minute of the half, making it 42-7.
The Hornets ran 107 offensive plays compared to 62 for NSU and outgained the RiverHawks 578 yards to 235.
Defensive back
Jordan Richburg recorded a career-high 13 tackles for the RiverHawks and added a pass breakup. Linebacker
Alonso Person also posted a career high for tackles with 10. Among
Jarveon Williams' eight tackles were two for losses totaling 36 yards.
NSU, which hasn't played in Tahlequah since Aug. 29, will begin a three-game homestand next Saturday, with the RiverHawks set to host Lincoln (Mo.) on Gable Field at Doc Wadley Stadium. Lincoln (Mo.) won its first game since 2019 on Saturday, beating Lincoln (Calif.).
NSU will host Central Oklahoma on Oct. 19 and Lincoln (Calif.) on Oct. 26.
