JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Chavon Gross picked off an Emporia State pass early in the fourth quarter for the Lincoln football team's 12th turnover of the season, but the Hornets ended up with a 50-7 win over the Blue Tigers on Saturday night (Sept. 28).

After forcing 11 total turnovers in 2018, the Blue Tigers have now surpassed that number through just four games in 2019 as Lincoln has intercepted five passes on the season to go with seven forced fumbles and recoveries. Lincoln entered Saturday's game leading the MIAA and ranked third in the NCAA in takeaways.

The Blue Tiger defense stepped up in the red zone, limiting Emporia State (2-2, 2-2 MIAA) to only three touchdowns in five trips to the LU 20. Gross, who also broke up two passes to go with his pick, led LU with nine tackles while Vontavious Thacker was next with seven. Lincoln (0-4, 0-4 MIAA) had four sacks on the night, including two by Dawson Brandt, who had four total tackles on the evening.

Emporia State drove down to the Lincoln seven-yard line on its opening possession of the game, but was held to just a field goal. The Hornets found the end zone later in the quarter, but Lincoln made it a three-point game soon afterwards. Chancellor Johnson found Rashaad Harris on an 11-yard pass, and Hosea Franklin got the Blue Tigers to midfield on a 13-yard carry. Later in the drive, on fourth down, Johnson hit Dre'Shon Alston on a 35-yard pass for the touchdown, making it a 10-7 affair.

The Hornets made another field goal before the end of the quarter, then took a 16-7 lead early in the second on a 33-yard kick. That score would hold for much of the second period, but a 27-yard touchdown reception and another field goal made it a 26-7 ESU lead at the half.

Franklin surpassed the 100-yard mark once again, rushing for 128 yards on 18 carries for a 7.1 average. Johnson completed five passes for 67 yards and the score, and Reagan Harrell averaged 39.5 yards punting with a long of 48. Hasan Muhammad-Rogers had 130 all-purpose yards to lead the Blue Tigers.

Elliott Albert and JaJuan Chambers each made six tackles and a sack, with Albert finishing with two of Lincoln's eight tackles for loss, and Bri'on Sanders and Cody Alexander made five takedowns apiece. TeAndre Skinner also had six tackles and a quarterback hurry, while Austin Harris finished with four tackles, a hurry and a tackle for loss.

Up next for Lincoln is a road game at Pittsburg State, as the Blue Tigers head to Pittsburg, Kan. next Saturday (Oct. 5) for a 1:00 p.m. CDT contest.