Kearney, Neb. – The 9th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney football team will host the Fort Lewis Skyhawks this Saturday in the Lopers final regular season home game.

Kickoff has been moved up one hour to noon. 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 (8-1, 7-0 RMAC) has won 24 of its last 28 games and, with two more victories, could host an NCAA Division II playoff game November 20th.

In the first region rankings of the 2010 season, the Lopers are fourth in Super Regional # 3. Six teams from each of Division II's four regions make the playoffs with the third and fourth seeds hosting first round games. The top two teams in each region receive a first round bye.

Before a showdown with 16th-ranked Colorado School of Mines (8-1, 7-0 RMAC) next weekend in Golden, the Lopers will have to get past the pass happy Skyhawks (2-6, 2-5 RMAC).

Led by former UNK defensive assistant Cesar Rivas-Sandoval, the 'Hawks feature senior receiver Justin Johnson and sophomore QB Tim Jenkins (293 ypg, 14 TD's).

Last season, Jenkins (6-2, 200 lbs.) earned RMAC Freshman Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors after throwing for 2,476 yards and 15 TD's. Many of his passes were caught by Johnson (5-11, 185 lbs.), who comes from the same junior college, Grossmont (Calif.), that produced current Loper corners Kenny Hill and Arthur Hobbs.

Johnson finished 2009 with 124 catches for 1,136 yards and five scores. He currently has 68 receptions, five going for scores, and is averaging 122.2 yards per game.

Defensively, Fort Lewis is extremely young with a two deep dotted by sophomores and freshmen. Sophomore OLB Phil Odell (65) and sophomore SS Tim Muhovich (63) lead in tackles with the 'Hawks forcing 17 turnovers so far this year.

Another former Loper assistant coach, Gino Polastri, leads the Fort Lewis secondary and also serves as assistant strength and conditioning coach.

Prior to the Lopers and Skyhawks taking the field, nine UNK seniors will be honored.

They are offensive linemen Adam Drudik (Juniata), Orion Matthies (Overton) and Eric Paicurich (Westminster, Colo.), receiver Kyle Kaiser (Broomfield, Colo.), receiver/running back Brendan Liess (McCook), defensive linemen Mason Brodine (Elm Creek) and Josh Rohde (Eddyville), OLB Jay Kropp (Grand Island) and punter Brennan Johnson (Big Springs).

Another senior, offensive linemen Stephen Goodin (Hastings), is coming back next year as he suffered a season ending injury in fall camp. He is a two-year starter and a 2010 Preseason All-RMAC pick.