Kearney, Neb. – Fall weather is in the forecast when the Nebraska Kearney football team hosts 11th-ranked Northwest Missouri State this Saturday at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium.
The game kicks off at 1 p.m., and fans not in attendance can follow along via The River 93.1/106 FM, the MIAA Network ($), News Channel Nebraska (tape delayed until 7 p.m.), and live stats.
Overcast skies and a potential for rain are fitting for the Lopers (1-6, 1-5) and Bearcats (5-1, 4-1). Last year, in the 'Cats 14-0 win in Maryville, it was a chilly and rainy fall day with the teams combining for those 14 points, 12 punts and seven turnovers.
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Northwest leads the all-time series by a 16-5 margin with UNK's most recent wins coming at home in 2019 and 2024. The Lopers have averaged 23 points in their last three meetings with the 'Cats at Cope and are aiming for a second straight home win.
Ranked fourth in Super Region IV, Northwest is among the nation's leaders in running the ball (218.5 ypg) and stopping the run (81.3). Led by 2025 MIAA Co-Freshman of the Year Zechariah Owens, the 'Cats average 37 points and 401 yards every week. Owens has had a hand in 10 touchdowns (two rushing and eight passing) and completes 62% of his passes. He has two former K-State Wildcats to throw to in Cooper Warren (166 yards, two TDs) and Erwin Nash (154 yards, one TD), with sophomore Qunicy Torry (76 ypg, nine TDs) one of the MIAA's top ball carriers. Finally, on offense, the line features three 2025 All-MIAA picks, including first-team left tackle Kaleb McCullough.
The always stout defense has just two senior starters and gives up only 15 points and 302 yards per game. While foes convert 43% on third down, they have just five TDs in 16 red zone trips. Second-year backer Eli Bertz (32) leads in tackles with All-MIAA safety Holden Zigmant at 30 and two interceptions. On special teams, veteran kicker Mo Alwaely is 27 of 28 on PATs and 5 of 6 on field goal tries, with Omaha freshman Jaron Cannon Jr. (20.1 avg.) at kick return.
Six of UNK's seven games have been decided by a combined 35 points, and last week was no exception as a 14-0 lead almost disappeared, but the defense forced a couple of field goals and got a safety to record a 16-13 victory.
The Lopers are now up to six INTs, four recovered fumbles and 12 sacks. The picks have been returned for 105 yards and two scores, with the sack yardage being 81. Ironically, UNK's QBs have been sacked 13 times for the same number of lost yards. End LaDainian Blackwell (Boys Town) and safety Conner Thompson (Jenks, Okla.) have made impacts the last two weeks, with tackle Cole Luedtke (Lincoln SW) doing the same against Mo So after missing time with injury.
Offensively, true freshman back Calin Arndt (Overland Park, Kan.) is up to 328 yards and three scores while averaging 5.7 yards a carry. He joins Ricky Trinidad (2011) and Rustin Dring (2008) as the only first-year backs to see extensive action in recent times. Fellow first-year backs Kip Brigham (Wahoo) and Derek Jones (Papillion) have played some this fall and could see more action down the stretch. Finally, junior QB Devin Tate (Oxnard, Calif.) is at 155 yards of total offense in five games played. He's completing 56% of his passes and has a team-best four rushing scores.
