Kearney, Neb. – Senior quarterback Chad Dodson Jr. threw two touchdown passes and No. 4/7 Pittsburg State added a strong defensive effort to down Nebraska Kearney, 20-10, Saturday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium.
Pitt (5-1, 4-1) spoiled “Homecoming” and wins at Foster Field for the ninth consecutive time, dating back to 1982. UNK (3-3, 1-3) has now lost to three teams that were nationally-ranked at the time of kick off. The Lopers still have No. 17/18 Emporia State left on the docket.
The Gorillas ran 86 plays that ate up nearly 38 minutes of game time. However, UNK’s defense limited Pitt to 366 yards (4.3 avg.), forced several field goals and had a fourth down stop. But Pitt never relinquished a 20-10 late third quarter lead.
“It was not a good performance offensively. I think eight of our nine (accepted) penalties were on offense and we were one for 11 on third down. It was amazing we were in the game against the fourth-ranked team in the county,” said UNK head coach Ryan Held. “The defense played well enough to win.”
Dodson Jr. threw a 25-yard pass to sophomore receiver Kuron Parchmon with 25 seconds left in the third to provide the final points. The play was set up after safety and All-MIAA return specialist Ryan Medeiros brought back a punt for 26 yards.
He also was involved in a key play earlier in the third. Redshirt freshman punter Marty Mormino (Omaha Westside) hit a 40-yarder that Mederios muffed at his own five and redshirt freshman receiver Djimon Wheeler (Norman Park, Ga.) recovered at the nine. However, UNK had to settle for a 28-yard field goal from redshirt freshman Trey Prichard (Monument, Colo.) that made it 13-10.
“Three points wasn’t enough there. We had all kinds of chances, and we have to be able to take advantage of our opportunities,” said Held. “Credit also goes to their defense; they played well.”
UNK finished with 138 yards over 52 plays (2.7 avg.). The Lopers weren’t helped by good field position as they had five drives started inside their own 21-yard line. Mormino finished with nine boots for 415 yards (46.1 avg) as the offense produced two scores and a turnover.
“They won some matchups up front and Reagan isn’t 100 percent; he’s working back and getting closer. They did some good things and we couldn’t get any rhythm because we were always behind the eight ball,” said Held.
Both teams had defensive scores called back as Quillan Felton (Lithonia, Ga.) batted down a Dodson Jr. pass at the line of scrimmage. It was originally ruled a 45-yard “scoop and score”. In the second half, Pitt had an 11-yard “pick six” wiped away after it was ruled junior receiver Tavis Malloy (Douglasville, Ga.) was down with possession. The 6-6 Malloy also blocked a 26-yard field goal to start the day with Pitt later misfiring on a 47-yarder right before half.
Dodson Jr. finished 26 of 45 for 247 yards and wasn’t sacked. He hit Parchmon (six receptions, 75 yards) for five-yard score early in the second quarter with senior Christian Carter at eight grabs for 49 yards. Next, backs Noah Hernandez and Cleo Chandler Jr. combined for 93 yards on 31 carries. Finally, the Gorilla defense managed nine QB hurries and six tackles for loss (four sacks for 44 yards).
For UNK, graduate QB Reagan Jones (Wichita) ended 10 of 27 for 104 yards and a four-yard TD toss to senior tight end Tuni Fifita (Milpitas, Caif.). Junior receiver Earnest McDaniel-Mitchell (Playa Del Rey, Calif.) had a 29-yard grab with junior back Zane Schawang (Waverly) having three touches for 22 yards. Defensively, sophomore backer Parker Wise (Kearney) had nine tackles with juniors Nathan Pesek (Millard West) and Anthony Hebert (Corona, Calif.) at eight apiece.
“We’re not far off but we have to be able to play better. The pressure of the game got to us a bit today. I think our guys were pressing and trying to play well,” said Held.
UNK heads to Missouri Western State next Saturday. The Griffons (3-4, 2-4) won at Central Missouri this afternoon, 38-28.
