Kearney, Neb. - The football teams from Nebraska-Kearney and Wayne State have met on the field almost every year since 1924. The winner of this year's Loper-Wildcat game will have bragging rights for a long time. 

The 2011 regular season kicks off for both teams this Thursday night (6:00 p.m.) at Cunningham Field in Wayne. For the first time, a state wide audience will be able to watch this rivalry as NET is broadcasting the game (check local listings channel information); a free webcast is available HERE.

As usual, KRNY 102.3 FM in Kearney is carrying the game live (HERE) while live stats will be available HERE.

In 2012, the NSIC (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference), which Wayne is a member of, will go to an 11-game conference schedule as the U. of Sioux Falls (S.D.) and Minot State U. (N.D.) have recently joined to form a 16-member league.

At the same time, UNK is joining the MIAA (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association), which will be a 15-team conference in 2012 and also feature an all-league schedule.

So, Thursday's night's contest will be the last time UNK and Wayne meet on the gridiron for the foreseeable future. The Lopers, ranked 16th in the nation, hold a large lead in the series (58-19-6) but the Wildcats have won three straight over UNK.

Wayne's defense, led by All-American tackle Richard Daniel, has stymied the Loper offense the last three falls. UNK tallied 12 points in 2008, 16 in 2009 and 17 in last year's overtime setback.

Kearney has had success moving the ball in each of these games but has come up short in the red zone. In 13 trips inside the Wayne 20-yard line, UNK has totaled just 25 points (three TD's and two field goals).

On the other side of the ball, Wayne has used the big play to get past the Loper defense and special teams. Last year, the 'Cats had TD passes of 59 and 78 yards while, in 2009, they tallied scores of 50 (pass) and 90 yards (kick return).

Individually for the Lopers, senior Jake Spitzlberger (Lakewood, Colo.) will be making his 34th straight start at QB. He is one of an unprecedented 11 seniors on the offense this fall. Besides Spitzlberger, the group includes four receivers, two running backs, a tight end and three linemen.

Tackle Stephen Goodin (Hastings) is a rare sixth-year senior as he missed last fall due to injury. The Wayne game will be his first action since the 2009 playoff loss at Minnesota-Duluth.

Of note, transfers Shad Bride (RB/St. Johns, Ariz.), Tommy Flanagan (WR/Lakewood, Colo.), Dillon Schrodt (WR/Lincoln) and Kalvin Zoucha (TE/Albion) are expected to contribute right away.

Zoucha is also slated to replace Brennan Johnson at punter.

Defensively, the Lopers have seven starters back, led by co-captains Alex Paicurich (DE/Westminster, Colo.) and Justin Thiel (DT/Adams Central H.S.).

A defensive end, Paicurich is one of four seniors on this side of the ball, the others being corner Arthur Hobbs (San Diego, Calif.), end Cory Morten (Loomis) and inside backer Josh Gaede (Hoxie, Kans.).

Hobbs and junior safety Sam Kuck (Central City) earned all-region honors in 2010 while Thiel and Morten joined Paicurich on the All-RMAC team.

Former UNO Mavericks Dex Schwieger (DL/Aurora), Jordan Boston (S/Omaha) and Kelby Seyl (S/Norfolk Catholic), as well as junior Pat Kelly (LB/Campo, Calif.), are four new faces that will make an impact this fall. Also, inside backer Rashard King (Miami Beach, Fla.) returns after missing last season with injury.

Looking ahead, future MIAA-member Northeastern State comes to Kearney on Sept. 10. The Riverhawks beat NAIA Bacone (Okla.), 43-0, on August 27. They'll play at the Alamo Dome this Saturday against Texas-San Antonio. This will mark UTSA's first-ever college football game.