Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney football team, riding a three-game winning streak, closes out the 2012 season Saturday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium when old rival Fort Hays State visits.

Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. Dave Jenner and DJ Johnson will have the call on KRNY 102.3 FM.

Fans can also watch via live video stream at www.americaonesports.com (for a price). Live stats are available HERE.

After playing the Tigers (4-6-, 3-6) for 51 consecutive seasons, this is the first meeting between the old CSIC and RMAC rivals since 2005. UNK (3-7, 2-7) has won eight of the last 10 matchups to hold a 33-24-1 series lead.

The Lopers and Tigers have played many memorable games over the years. In 2003 at Lewis Field, UNK receiver Richie Ross caught 16 balls for 317 yards -- one of the highest receiving totals in Division II history -- yet the Tigers posted a 38-34 win. Hays countered Ross by running for 255 yards and three TD's.
    
Two years earlier in Kansas, UNK rallied from a 21-0 second quarter deficit thanks to three defensive scores and, with a minute to go, a botched snap on a put attempt. Finally, in 1931, UNK managed to beat the Tigers for the first time by the rare score of 2-0.

Led by second-year head coach Chris Brown, a former All-American safety at Pitt State, the Tigers are coming off a 14-12 home loss to Central Missouri. They own wins over South Dakota Mines, Truman State, Southwest Baptist and Lincoln.

Hays ranks 13th in the MIAA in scoring (22.3 ppg) and 14th in total offense (340.2 ypg). Six-two senior Anthony Sheppard is expected to get the start at QB in relief of an injured Tarean Austin.

Austin, a transfer from the U. of New Mexico, has seven of the Tigers 12 rushing TD's this year while throwing for 10 scores and averaging 146.2 yards per game in the air. Sheppard has played QB and running back this fall and also recovered two blocked punts, and brought them back for scores, in the win over Lincoln.

In seven games, he is 13 of 21 for 153 yards, one TD and one INT. Sheppard, who started at QB last season for the Tigers, is elusive and has 33 carries for 180 yards (5.5 ypc) and two TD's.

The Tigers have suffered a ton of injuries at running back with leading rusher Addie Brown (60.3 ypg) not expected to play. Thus, junior Shaun Ohlde (14.8 ypg & 51 carries) and redshirt freshman Shaquille Cooper (25.0 ypg & 30 carries) are likely to join Sheppard in the backfield.
    
Seven different players have double digit catch totals, led by 5-11 senior Cornelius Gallon (36 recep., 510 yds., five TD's). Up front, senior left guard Hawk Rouse (6-3, 300 lbs.) earned second-team All-MIAA honors last fall.

On the other side of the ball, the Tigers are very tough in the red zone as they have forced seven turnovers and allow teams to score only 68% of the time. Overall, Hays gives up 29.9 points and 450.3 yards per game.
    
Seven senior starters include linebacker Layton Hickel (team-high 87 tackles), corner Keke Paul (three INT's for 102 yards) and bandit Austin Hubert (team-high 6.5 TFL).

This defense will face a Loper offense that has rushed for for 1,409 yards (281.8 ypg & 5.3 ypc) and 16 TD's the last five weeks. Thansk to all those yards, UNK now ranks 16th nationally in rushing offense at a solid 231.1 ypg.

Individually, sophomore back Ricky Trinidad (Trinity, Fla.) needs 97 yards to record the 14th 1,000 rushing yard season in school history. Not to be outdone, junior WR/QB Matt Berry (McCook) has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the last two weeks.

UNK is then stingy against the run, currently tops in the conference (106.1). Five teams -- Washburn, Truman, SBU, UCM and SDMT -- rushed for 79 yards or less; Lindenwood and Emporia finished with less than 135.  
    
One big reason Kearney is hard to run on of late is tackles for loss. The Lopers have racked up 44 TFL's (17 sacks) the past four games, reaching double digit in each contest. Those tackles have resulted in loss of 225 yards.

Finally, 16 seniors will suit up for their final college football game. Below are the seniors along with their positions, hometowns and years at UNK.

Nathan Bryan (C/OG, Katy, Texas, 5 years)
Justin Drudik (WR/QB, Juniata, 5 years)
O'Neill Chambers (WR/Returns, St. Cloud, Fla., 1 year)
Tommy Flanagan (WR/RB/P/Returns, Golden, Colo., 2 years)
Luke Harl (DE, Hastings, 5 years)
Parker Jolly (C/OG, Ft. Collins, Colo., 5 years)
Pat Kelly (ILB, El Cajon, Calif., 2 years)
Rashard King (ILB, Miami Beach, Fla., 5 years)
Pete Kropp (Box Safety, Grand Island, 5 years)
Sam Kuck (Free Safety, Central City, 5 years)
Adam Lehner (WR, Hastings, 3 years)
Ian Miner (CB, Wakefield, 1 year)
Kevin Romero (QB, Hawthorne, Calif., 3 years)
Dex Schwieger (DE, Aurora, 2 years)
Justin Swedburg (ILB/Deep Snapper, Axtell, 5 years)
Justin Thiel (DT, Hastings, 4 years)