Kearney, Neb. -Sophomore running back Rustin Dring had another big day on the ground and junior receiver Brendan Liess scored two 4th quarter touchdowns to help the 8th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney football team to a 30-21 win at Mesa State Saturday afternoon at Grand Junction, Colo.

The Lopers (10-1, 9-0 RMAC) win its second-ever RMAC outright title and reach 10 wins in a season for the first time in school history. The team will now get ready for the 24-team Division II playoffs, which will start next weekend. The field will be announced tomorrow on ESPNNEWS between 2-2:30 p.m.

Moment of the Game
Mesa State (5-6, 5-4 RMAC) ends the season on a three-game losing streak but rallied from a 17-0 halftime defecit behind an offense that had been struggling. The Mavs had drives of 61, 63 and 80 yards in the 2nd half to trail the Lopers by three points on two occasions.

UNK responded each time, getting a 61-yard run from Liess and a 11-yard pass from Jake Spitlzberger to Liess that finished the day's scoring. Both scores came on 3rd down and completed drives of 80 and 73 yards, respectively.

The Lopers out gained Mesa 431-299 on the day and had two long drives in the 1st half to grab the early lead.

Lopers of the Game
Dring (So., Kearney) - 33 carries for 186 yards and 1 TD, 1 catch for 9 yards; 5th straight 100 yard game
Spitzlberger (So., Lakewood, Colo.) - 10 of 14 for 168 yards and 2 TD's, 14 yards rushing
Liess (Jr., McCook) - 5 catches for 50 yards and 1 TD, 1 rush for 61 yards and 1 TD, 1 kick return for 16 yards
Kyle Kaiser (Jr., WR, Broomfield, Colo.) - 3 catches for 77 yards and 1 TD

Ethan Kuhlmann (Fr-R, ILB, Athol, Kans.) - 9 tackles, 2 TFL including 1 sack
Chris Senkbile (Jr., OLB, Central City) - 9 tackles, 1 TFL
Ozzie Smith (Sr., CB, Bellevue) - 7 tackles
Eric Scheele (Sr., ILB, Utica) - 5 tackles, 2 TFL including 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Up Next
Playoff game November 14th at a site and opponent TBA