Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney football team steps out of conference this Saturday to play the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Hardrockers in Rapid City.

The game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. local time or 2:00 p.m. Central.

Dave Jenner will have the call on KRNY 102.3 FM. Fans can watch via live video stream at www.americaonesports.com (for a price). There will be no live stats for this contest.

On the original schedule for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, UNK was slated to play UNO this Saturday. However, when the Mavericks dropped football as an intercollegiate sport and left for Division I, anyone in the MIAA who was supposed to play them instantly had an open date.

UNK, along with Fort Hays State (Oct. 27) and Missouri Southern State (Oct. 6), found Mines to replace UNO on their schedules. The 'Rockers need games as they are a Division II independent.

A former NAIA school that is in the second of a two-year probationary period, Mines gains official Division II status with the 2013-14 academic year. Over the last two seasons, its football schedule has been a mix of NAIA and D2 opponents.

Playing in South Dakota for the first time in eight years, UNK (2-7, 2-7) is riding a two-game winning streak after defeating Southwest Baptist and Central Missouri. The 'Rockers (2-6), in the middle of a four-game home stand, lost 41-27 to Hays last Saturday.

Earlier this year, they fell 47-20 to Southern, 71-7 to RMAC-member Colorado Mines and 48-21 to fellow D2 newcomer William Jewell (Mo.). Mines four other contests were against non-D2 competition (three NAIA and one FCS).

The Lopers run game has been the story of late as the team ranks fourth in the MIAA in rushing offense (202.4 ypg) and first in rushing defense (116.8).

UNK has rushed for at least 200 yards in four of the last five games while holding the opposition under 60 yards three times in October.

Individually, sophomore back Ricky Trinidad (Trinity, Fla.) is 15th nationally in rushing, churning out 127.8 yards per game.

Most of production has come in the last month as he missed most of September with injury. The true sophomore needs 233 more yards to have the 14th 1,000 yard rushing season in UNK history.

The Lopers have also seen its various QB's have solid efforts in the run game as well. Senior Justin Drudik (Adams Central H.S.), junior Matt Berry (McCook) and true freshman Sean Flanagan (Golden, Colo.) combine for eight rushing scores so far this fall. UNK has 14 TD's on the ground as a whole.

Defensively in the last three games, Kearney has racked up 13 sacks for a loss of 116 yards. Kearney also has forced some turnovers, picking off five passes and recovering two fumbles. 

Senior free safety Sam Kuck (Central City) continues to lead in tackles with 73, upping his career total to 237. That ties him for fourth place in school history with Butch Peltz ('94).

Senior end Dex Schwieger (11) and junior ILB Kellen Werner (10) rank 1-2 in tackles for loss with Schwieger also first in sacks (5.5) and QB hurries (five).

A very young Hardrocker squad has an offense that averages 192 yards per game in the air and 166 yards on the ground.

California sophomore Mike Zanutto is completing 59% of his passes and averaging 137 yards per game with seven TD's and six picks. While he has five of the 'Rockers 17 rushing TD's, Zanutto has minus 16 rushing yards as the opposition has registered 13 sacks.

Of note, 6-5 freshman Evan Sanders (41 of 83 for 392 yards, three TD's, three INT's) has played in all six games.
 
A ground game that rushed for 227 yards against Fort Hays State is paced by 5-7, 220 lbs. senior Jahmel Rover (109 carries, 650 yards, four TD's) and 5-8, 215 lbs. freshman De'Andre Bolden (42 carries, 176 yards, three TD's).    

Mines is giving up 41 points and 448 yards per game, including 228 on the ground. The opposition has scored 20 rushing TD's and thrown for 20 TD's.

While they are allowing their opponents to convert 47% on third down, Mines has registered 22 sacks for a loss of 116 yards and forced 14 fumbles.

Freshman strong safety Jordan Bell leads in tackles (57) with freshman corner Josh Thomas having three INT's for 33 return yards.

UNK concludes the 2012 season next Saturday when Fort Hays State visits.