Kearney, Neb. – The 117th season in Nebraska Kearney football history kicks off Thursday night (Aug. 31) in Edmond as the Lopers take on the Central Oklahoma Bronchos. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. from Chad Richison Stadium and can be viewed on The MIAA Network, The River 93.1/106.9 KRVN FM and via live stats.
UCO leads the all-time series, 6-5, but UNK has taken the last two meetings. The Lopers are also 3-2 all-time in Edmond, winning in 2021, 2018 and 1994.
Last year at Cope Stadium, super senior Junior Gonzales hit a walk-off field goal to lift the Blue & Gold to a 20-18 victory on “Senior Day.” The game featured six made field goals and 204 combined rushing yards between quarterbacks TJ Davis (Colorado Springs) and Stephon Brown.
Both of those QB’s return for their teams who were tied for fifth in the MIAA preseason coaches’ poll. The ‘Chos were fifth in the media poll with the Lopers sixth. Led by second-year head coach Adam Dorrel, who won three national titles at Northwest Missouri, UCO is coming off a 6-5 season. They were an impressive 5-1 at home last year, beating postseason qualifiers Northwest Missouri and Emporia State.
Brown (6-5, 220 lbs.), formerly of TCU, is one of 10 returning All-MIAA players. His backup is former Missouri Southern starter Dawson Herl (6-3, 180 lbs.). The skill position players include all-league tight end Oscar Hammond, back Jaylen Cottrell and receiver Jacob Delso. The ‘Chos averaged 22 points and 341 yards per game last fall and will look to improve upon a 51% red zone TD rate.
A defense that graduated a couple of All-MIAA linemen is coming off a season where they gave up 22 points per game. UCO allowed a 40% third down conversion rate with UNK going 4 for 11 in that November win. Army-West Point transfer and linebacker Noah West, DB Dylan Buchheit, 345-pound nose guard Hunter Largent and safety/kick returner Kobey Stephens lead the way. Like the offense, some junior college and D1 transfers will bolster the ranks.
On special teams, Nicky Quevedo (14 field goals, 25 PAT’s) is one of the league’s top kickers as is punter David Vargas (40.3 avg.).
MIAA defensive coordinators aren’t happy Davis is back for his fifth and final season in college. The rare two-time MIAA Offensive Player of the Year and two-time Harlon Hill Trophy Finalist has 102 career scores as well as nearly 9,000 total yards. Another big year on the ground (1,155 yards) will make him the program’s all-time leading rusher, passing Hall of Famer Mike Miller (4,818/2001-04).
He’ll have some new faces to throw to as well as hand the ball off to but Jamaal Joseph (Miami), Zane Schawang (Waverly), Zorian Stanton (Jacksonville), AJ McPhee (Belle Glade, Fla.) and Bailey Torres (Cerritos, Calf.) combined for eight scores and just over 1,100 yards last year. The line includes All-American left guard Hunter Hays (McCook) and All-MIAA center Jon Merten (Albion) with the tight end spot having several new faces.
Thirteen of the top 17 tacklers must be replaced on defense but the Lopers still have All-MIAA picks Tre O’Guinn (safety), Zach Schlager (linebacker) and Tell Spies (line/end). Kearney High grads Jack Johnson (end) and Parker Wise (linebacker) are on the two-deep as well as veteran DB’s Armani Webster (corner) and Sethe Holt (nickel).
The special teams have a familiar look as long snapper Josh Churchill (Millard West), All-American punter Hunter Kraus (Taylor) and kicker Kyle Failing (Port Orchard, Wash.).
UNK has its home opener on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. against the Northeastern State RiverHawks. NSU hosts Fort Hays State this Thursday.
