Kearney, Neb. - The 12th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney football team returns to Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field this Saturday after winning two key RMAC road games.

The Lopers (6-1, 5-0 RMAC) will entertain New Mexico Highlands (1-6, 1-4 RMAC) beginning at 1:00 p.m. Central. Fans can listen to the action on KRNY 102.3 FM or at lopers.com. Live video, via America One, is also available (for purchase) as is live stats.

UNK has had its way with the Cowboys of late, winning the last 10 games in the series by an average of 36 points. Last year, the Lopers racked up over 300 yards rushing a 52-3 win in Las Vegas.

Highlands, which has dropped its last nine road games, picked up its only win of the 2010 season in dramatic fashion when it rallied from a 28-10 4th quarter deficit to edge Western State, 32-31.

The 'Pokes managed to beat the Mountaineers, who lost to UNK 13-6 this fall, by throwing a 24-yard TD pass on the last play of the game.

HU sophomore receiver Kevon Williams (36 receptions, 462 yards, one TD) has some of the better numbers in the league and also brought back a kickoff 94 yards for a score in a setback to 20th-ranked Colorado School of Mines.

The Lopers have defended the pass well this season, picking off 10 passes and having 35 pass breakups. Corners Arthur Hobbs (38 tackles, two INT's, 10 PBU's) and Kenny Hill (37 tackles, five PBU's) have been welcome additions to a secondary that was hit hard by graduation.

Sophomore safeties Pete Kropp (42 tackles, two INT's) and Sam Kuck (46 tackles, three INT's) are among the Loper tackle leaders as well. Kropp was a reserve in 2009 while Kuck missed most of last season with injury. 

Offensively, UNK looks to gash a Highlands defense that gave up 305 yards rushing to Chadron State last Saturday. The Lopers average 186.0 yards per game on the ground, led by junior RB Rustin Dring (130.8) and junior QB Jake Spizlberger (33.3).

 Kearney has its longest road trip of the year next week, a 1,045-mile journey to Western New Mexico.