Kearney, Neb. - The 14th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney football team begins a two week RMAC road swing with a game at Chadron State this Saturday.

On October 16th, the Lopers (4-1, 3-0 RMAC) face 25th-ranked Colorado State-Pueblo (5-0, 3-0 RMAC) in Colorado. The ThunderWolves have a tough test this week as well, playing at Colorado Mines (4-1, 3-0 RMAC).

Kickoff for the Eagles game is set for 1:00 p.m. Central at Elliott Field. Fans can listen to the action at KRNY 102.3 FM or at lopers.com. Live video, via America One, is also available as is live stats.

Winners of 13 straight league games, UNK has had trouble with the Eagles (3-2, 2-1 RMAC) of late. Since the series was renewed in 1996, Chadron has won 10 of the 14 games between the two.

UNK, which went 48 years without losing to Chadron, leads the all-time series 47-21-1, including an impressive 22-10-1 record at Elliott Field.

The Lopers hope to be a bit more healthier this week as junior RB Rustin Dring (Kearney) has missed basically the last 10 quarters due to injury. His injury is compounded by the fact reserve backs Riley Newcomer (Morrison, Colo.) and Ryan Skogg (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) are now out for the year because of their own ailments.

Dring, still the Lopers leading rusher and second leading receiver, will be a game time decision. Starting left tackle Adam Drudik (Juniata), who sat out last week's win over Adams State, is expected to return to the lineup.

If Dring can't go, senior Brendan Liess (McCook) will be UNK's starter for a second straight week. Now a receiver, Liess switched back to his old position against Adams, running for a career-high 98 yards and one TD on 16 carries.

Liess has had his own battles staying healthy, missing basically the first four games of the season due to hamstring issues. In the win over the Grizzlies, Liess did reach the 1,000 career rushing yard mark, making him the third current Loper (Dring and QB Jake Spitzlberger) to reach that total.

With UNK moving to the MIAA in 2012, this is likely the Lopers last visit to Chadron for a while. In 2011, the Eagles will play at Kearney on October 8th.