EMPORIA, Kan. - The Lincoln football team shut out Emporia State in the fourth quarter, but had an attempted comeback fall short as the Blue Tigers fell in their final road game of 2021. Emporia State took advantage of a big first half to win, 56-21, on Saturday (Nov. 6).

Desmond Hunter played the entire game at quarterback, throwing for 238 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Hosea Franklin rushed for 91 yards and a score while Tori Hicks gained 48 yards on 15 carries. Lincoln held Emporia State's leading rusher to 63 yards, but the Hornets ended up passing for 341 yards in the win.

The Blue Tigers got on the board for the first time in the third quarter, as Hunter connected with Chrisshun Robinson on an 81-yard catch-and-run touchdown pass. Clayton Winkler kicked the extra point, one of three on the day. Winkler also averaged 43.8 yards on kickoffs and 36.0 yards on punts. Robinson, meanwhile, caught two passes for 107 yards.

In the fourth quarter, Lincoln (0-9, 0-9 MIAA) scored twice and kept Emporia State (6-4, 6-4 MIAA) off the scoreboard. The first score ended a long drive that began with 5:55 to play in the third period. Franklin gained 13 yards on a carry to start the possession, and Winston Ausmer later picked up a key first down on a seven-yard reception. Franklin later caught a 28-yard pass from Hunter to get into the red zone before capping off the drive early in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run.

After the LU defense forced a three-and-out, Ausmer caught a 60-yard pass from Hunter to get into the end zone. Ausmer caught four passes for 82 yards on the afternoon, and Franklin finished with 40 receiving yards. Aderias Ealy also caught two passes on Saturday. Ausmer also had a big day returning the ball, with 102 yards on punt returns and 29 yards on kick returns.

Jaylon Mosley made 15 tackles to lead the LU defense, and Aeneas Tibbs finished with six tackles while Terrion Williams and Zyan Thomas-King each had tackles for loss. Codby Bagby and TeAndre Skinner each tallied five takedowns, and Julian Pickens made three tackles, including teaming with Bagby on a tackle for loss.

Lincoln closes the 2021 season at home next Saturday (Nov. 13) with an 11:00 a.m. CST game against Missouri Western. The Blue Tigers will hold a special Senior Day ceremony prior to kickoff.