Kearney, Neb. - The 10th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney football team returns home this week to face a Western New Mexico team that has one of the best passing attacks in the RMAC.

The game, originally set for 1:00 p.m., will now kick off at 2:00 p.m. As usual, live stats are available and fans can listen to Dave Jenner call the game on KRNY 102.3 FM as well. For a fee, you can also watch the game via America One.

The Mustangs, under second-year head coach Adam Clark, are coming off a 20-13 home setback to Chadron State. Western (4-4, 3-3 RMAC) also lost close games at Adams State, 44-40, and at home to No. 25 Colorado Mines, 27-21 in OT.

Senior QB David Ingram (267 ypg, 18 TD's) and junior Markis Sumpter (48 recep., 673 yds., eight TD's) form one of the best passing combinations in the league. Rushing for around 120 yards per game as well, Western has given up 27 sacks, second most in the conference.

Defensively, UNK ranks in the nation's top 20 in most every key area, including passing defense efficiency (94.06). The Lopers have picked off 17 passes so far, six by senior corner Arthur Hobbs (San Diego, Caif.). Opponents are completing just 48% of its passes against Kearney and have been sacked 17 times. 

This series, which began with games in 1994 and 1995, hasn't featured much defense. The Lopers have won five straight over WNMU with the average score the last five years being 50-26.

Last year in Silver City, UNK fell behind 17-0 but came back to win 56-31 thanks to 333 rushing yards.

Defensively, the Mustangs are led by Dashaun Briggs, a junior linebacker who has 11.5 tackles for loss, including 6.5 sacks. Western does get after the QB overall, registering 23 sacks.

UNK's offense hopes to see the return of senior RB Rustin Dring (Kearney) this Saturday. The 2009 RMAC Offensive Player of the Year hasn't played since suffering a heel injury at Colorado Mesa in late September.

In his absence, the Lopers are still rushing for 286 yards per game, thanks to senior QB Jake Sptizlberger (89.2 ypg) and true freshman RB Ricky Trinidad (110 ypg).

Spitzlberger, with one more rushing score, will set a new school record. He and running back Mike Miller ('04) are tied at 34 apiece; Dring is fourth on this list with 29.

Another school mark will fall Saturday when Spitzlberger takes the first snap from center. It'll mark his 42nd straight start at QB; Justin Coleman ('00) holds the Loper mark by starting all 41 games in his career. Note UNK played only 10 games in his last three seasons.

Next weekend, the Lopers head over the snowy Rocky Mountains to face Fort Lewis College in Durango.