The UNK football team dropped their fourth game of the season in an offensive shootout at home on Saturday, losing 42-35 to Emporia State.
UNK held a 35-34 lead midway through the fourth quarter, and had all the momentum after Emporia State threw an interception. However, UNK on the next play fumbled the football, setting up a late rushing touchdown from Emporia State quarterback Gunnar Gundy that ended up being the game winner.
UNK had two chances on fourth down late in the game, but failed to convert on both.
“At the end of the day, all you can ask for is an opportunity with the ball to go tie it,” said UNK coach Ryan Held. “I’ve told these guys we’re going to be in games like this. We felt that we could go out and beat these guys.”
It was a big offensive day, as both the Lopers and the Hornets had over 80 plays and gained more than 500 yards. Gundy and wide receiver Tyler Kahmann set Emporia State offensive records, as Gundy had 564 yards and five touchdowns with Kahmann catching 19 passes for 296 yards and five touchdowns.
Held said he had never seen a performance like what they saw from Kahmann.
“It was just a crazy game,” Held said. “He was elite and they got him the ball, that’s just what their offense does.”
UNK did some good things, and were led by running back Isaiah Harris who had 13 carries for 134 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught five passes for 74 yards.
UNK also forced three turnovers, with interceptions from Anthony Hebert, Devin Guggia and Chandler Brown. The Lopers gave the ball away on a pair of fumbles.
All four of UNK’s losses this year have come to nationally ranked teams with UNK having chances in all four games.
Three of those four losses have been by 10 points or less, and Held says they are close but can’t keep having those three or four disaster plays.
“If you don’t execute at the level you need to against a team like that, that’s what really hurt us,” Held said. “They’re going to be really disappointed in this but I really believe we’ll come back and go back to work again.”
While the loss is tough now, Held said they have still made massive strides.
“I don’t like losing, but this is all part of the process,” Held said. “Everyone knows when they play us, you’ve got to bring your A game.”
UNK is now 4-4 and will head to Washburn to take on the Ichabods at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
