**For
Immediate Release**
Emporia State Downs OPSU in Season Opener
-by Scott Puryear of Aggie Sports 09-03-06
Goodwell -- The Hornets of Emporia State visited Oklahoma
Panhandle State University on Saturday night and handed
the Aggies a season opening 69-6 loss.
The Hornets’ “one-two” quarterback punch
of Ben Purkeypile and Justin Whitworth, along with running
back Seville Ko, did most of the offensive damage. Purkeypile
passed for 199 yards and three TDs, while Whitworth passed
for one score and ran for another. Ko ran for 141 yards
on 18 carries and scored twice.
OPSU quarterback Brandon Warner scored on a six yard
run near the end of the opening period, and with a
failed extra point, the Aggies trailed 14-6 as the
first quarter time expired. At the half, Emporia State
held a 35-6 lead.
Warner’s 48-yard run in the first quarter was an
example of the sophomore’s fine athletic ability.
In the second half, Aggie running back David Daniels
also reeled off a spectacular run. The hard running
senior was credited with a 24-yard gain and earned
every inch of it as he reversed his direction several
times and made several nifty moves.
On the night, Warner rushed for a total of 54 yards,
and Daniels gained 49 on just seven carries. Steven
Jackson led OPSU in receiving with a pair of catches for
23 yards.
On the defensive side, Aggie linebacker Ranoaldo
Davis was in the thick of things all night, and
was in on 11 tackles. There were several “big
hits” from
other Aggies, including Jason Butler, Tim Hearne
and Mikel Estala. On the night, Butler was in on
seven tackles and Hearne and Estala were both in
on six.
A big, crowd pleasing “pop” came from OPSU
senior linebacker Jan Van Fredenberg on a Hornet punt returner
in the second half.
Next Saturday, the Aggies will travel to Kansas
to face Pittsburg State.
-30- |
