Box Score Kearney, Neb. - The 4th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney football team got several big plays from its defense and racked up 520 yards of offense to slip past long-time rival Chadron State, 20-13, Saturday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.

On a rainy day, a crowd of 3,108 watched the 71st meeting between the Lopers (6-0, 4-0 RMAC) and Eagles (2-4, 2-2 RMAC). The game also was aired statewide by NET (Nebraska Education Television).

Thanks to a 13-point second half, UNK records a third straight win over Chadron, the first time that has happened since 1980, 1990 and 1991 (the series wasn't played between 1981-89).

The Lopers now lead the series 49-21-1 and will having bragging rights for a while as the two schools will not play each other in football due to UNK's move into the MIAA, which will feature an 11-game conference schedule). 

This marked the 11th time in the last 16 meetings the UNK-CSC game was decided by seven points or less.

Things turned early in the third quarter after Chadron recovered a fumble at the Loper 39-yard line. Just a few minutes earlier, the Eagles picked off senior QB Jake Spitzlberger (Lakewood, Colo.) at the Kearney 26-yard line and, after several runs by tailback Glen Clinton, tacked on a TD to grab a 10-7 lead.

After a third down completion moved the ball to the 19, Clinton was at it again, running three times to take the ball to the Loper four. However, on a 2nd and goal play, Clinton lost control of the ball and OLB Jack Douglas (Weeping Water) pounced on it.
The quick strike UNK offense responded with a seven play, 94-yard drive that gave the Lopers the lead for good. Spitzlberger hooked up with fellow Bear Creek High grad Tommy Flanagan for pass plays of five, 13 and 21 yards and, eventually, UNK faced a 3rd and two from the Eagle 25-yard line.

The Bear Creek duo found each other again, this time for a 25-yard score and a 13-10 Loper lead as the ensuing PAT was missed.

Chadron's next drive stalled at the Loper 27 yard line and they punted into the Kearney end zone for a touch back.

UNK took the ball right down the field again, only to have a 4th and 3 pass fall incomplete in the Eagle end zone.

The Lopers came in with an 85% success rate in the red zone but was 2 of 6 in that area today.

The Kearney defense kept it a three point game as they held the Chadron offense in check, allowing the Eagles 15 yards on one drive and five another. A  CSC punt, however, pinned the Lopers at their own nine yard line with 8:09 to play.

That's when Ricky Trinidad (Trinity, Fla.) took a first down handoff and raced 73 yards to the Eagles 18-yard line. A 16 yard scamper by Spitzlberger followed and UNK was knocking at the door.

Chadron recorded a sack to make it 3rd and goal from the seven. A patient Spitzlberger found senior receiver Matt Turco (Lincoln North Star) for a TD and a 10 point lead. This marked Turco's first career scoring grab.

As expected, the Eagles didn't go quietly as they moved down the field, only to miss a 50 yard field goal at the 3:33 mark. They finished the scoring with a 32-yard three pointer with 1:25 left. The UNK defense held after the Eagles had a 1st & 10 from the Loper 15.

Spitzlberger finished 22 of 34 for 292 yards, two TD's and that one pick. He also carried the ball 19 times for 85 yards and a score. His 12-yard TD run capped the game's opening drive, an eight play, 81-yard march that took 2:22.

UNK had several chances to score more points in the first half but the Lopers, instead, missed a field goal, fumbled the ball into the Eagle end zone and dropped a potential 86-yard TD catch.

Flanagan had a big second half and plenty "YAC" (yards after the catch) to end the game with 11 receptions for 196 yards and that one TD. He also averaged 42.4 yards in the punt game and had 80 return yards. The 196 receiving yards is the 12th highest total in UNK history and a new career-high for Flanagan.

Trinidad (eight carries, 91 yards) and senior Riley Newcomer (12 carries, 55 yards) joined Spitzlberger to help UNK tally 228 rushing yards. With his effort today, Spitzlbergr moved over 2,000 career rush yards (2,034) and is tied with Zach Mader ('00) for second in career rushing scores (33).

The Eagles saw QB Brandon Gorsuch go 25 of 47 for 211 yards. He threw passes to seven receivers, including Jeremy Sondrup (seven for 67 yards).
After having just one rushing yard last year vs. UNK, the Eagles had 110 today with Clinton (24 carries for 100 yards) doing most of the damage.

Defensively, UNK got 12 tackles from junior safety Pete Kropp (Grand Island) and 10 stops from both senior corner Arthur Hobbs (San Diego, Calif.) and sophomore ILB Kellen Werner (Grand Island). The Lopers had 5.0 TFL  for a loss of 20 yards, nine pass breakups and seven QB hurries. Finally, the "Blue Wall" also had five 3 & out's.

UNK hosts 11th-ranked and undefeated Colorado State-Pueblo (6-0, 4-0 RMAC) next Saturday at 1:00 p.m.