Emporia State doesn’t let bad moment stunt its growth

Among the measurable moments in an improving program are overcoming big mistakes and defeating quality opponents on the road.

Emporia State accomplished both last season and is stronger for it heading into the 2014 season.

The Hornets, who are coming off their first NCAA Division II playoff appearance in a decade and 19 victories over the last two seasons, now look to take the next step and compete for the championship in the ultracompetitive Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

The climb has been steady. Athletic director Kent Weiser hired coach Garin Higgins in 2007 with the hope of approaching a level of some two decades earlier, when Higgins quarterbacked the Hornets to the NAIA championship game.

Weiser showed patience as Emporia went 19-36 in Higgins’ first five seasons. The Hornets were making progress, and a breakthrough came in 2012.

Emporia State went 10-2, winning the Kanza Bowl, and the program was on its way.

But a stumble — a poor play-call executed poorly — nearly stunted the growth.

The Hornets, who had won their first seven games last season and climbed to No. 14 in the Division II poll, rallied and took a 35-30 lead at defending MIAA champion Missouri Western. Hold on to the lead, and the program would have its most significant triumph under Higgins.

Two minutes remained. Emporia State faced second and 1 at its 35. A first down there and the game was all but over.

“For us and this program, all the struggles we had, it all kind of boiled up and we wanted to put an exclamation point on beating the defending champions,” Higgins said. “I wanted our players to know we were going to run through the door, and not tiptoe around.”

Higgins called for a pass. Missouri Western blitzed, got to quarterback Brent Wilson and forced an interception.

“It was the most sickening I’ve ever felt,” Higgins said.

Wilson blamed himself for not checking out of the play. “I missed the call and threw a bad ball,” he said.

Either way, Missouri Western had possession and drove to the 6 with 16 seconds remaining.

A loss would have been crushing. But the Hornets’ defense huddled and made a vow.

“We were going to make the stop,” said defensive back Kadeem Satchell, a senior from Princeton, Texas. “You could look around and not see doubt in anybody eyes.”

Emporia State came up with an interception in the end zone and ran out the clock.

Three weeks later, the Hornets’ season ended in Duluth, Minn., in the NCAA Division II playoffs. But a statement had been made, and the Hornets believe they’ve come too far to fall back now.

Wilson returns as one of the MIAA’s most productive players after averaging 298 yards a game with 33 touchdowns and six interceptions. He was something of a recruiting find after going 2-8 as a high school senior at Ponca City, Okla.

“I was glad the coaches blew through the record part,” Wilson said.

Higgins was convinced the 6-foot, 190-pound Wilson could play for him after seeing him in camp before that season. Higgins’ belief wasn’t shaken after Wilson had a rough debut, a two-interception half in relief action as a freshman.

“He’s one of the toughest, if not the toughest, kid I’ve ever coached,” Higgins said.

How tough? In the regular-season finale against Washburn, Wilson broke his collarbone ... and threw a short pass on the next play.

He’s healed from that injury, and he and the program have bounced back nicely after a bad call that could have reverberated into the future.

“I’m always looking to get better in every aspect of my game,” Wilson said. “That was a good learning moment for me.”

And a growing moment for a program that looks to continue its ascent.

This story was originally published August 23, 2014 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Emporia State doesn’t let bad moment stunt its growth."