Emporia State tabbed No. 22 in latest D2Football.com poll

September 8, 2026 - 06:55

The Emporia State Hornets are finally getting some national attention. After a statement win on the road, the team has landed at No. 22 in the latest D2Football.com poll, marking their first appearance in the rankings this year.

The Hornets improved to 2-0 on the season with a gritty 21-10 victory over then-No. 11 Pittsburg State on Saturday. It was a defensive battle that saw Emporia State clamp down on a highly touted Gorilla offense, forcing key stops and controlling the tempo late in the game.

That win followed a season-opening 36-30 shootout against Minot State, where the offense showed it could put up points in a hurry. Now, with two solid wins under their belt, including one over a top-tier rival, the Hornets have proven they belong in the conversation.

Head coach and the rest of the squad will look to keep the momentum rolling as they head into the next stretch of the schedule. The ranking is a nice boost for the program, but the focus stays on the field. Emporia State will need to stay sharp if they want to hold onto their spot in the polls and make a run at a conference title.