Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney football team continues a tough September when 12th-ranked Northwest Missouri State comes to Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field Saturday afternoon.

Due to 2012 Homecoming festivities, the game kicks off at 4:00 p.m. Central.

As usual, Dave Jenner and DJ Johnson will have the call on KRNY 102.3 FM. Fans can also watch the action, for a price, by logging on to UNK's America One page or keep track of the game with live stats.

The Lopers (0-3, 0-3) and Bearcats (2-1, 1-1) last met 22 years ago, a day that saw UNK QB Russ Harvey throw for 325 yards and three TD's in a wild 45-42 victory. That marked just the eighth meeting between the schools in a series that dates back to 1928. Northwest has won five of the previous match-ups.

In the mid-1990's, Northwest became one of the premier Division II programs in the country. Since 1996, Northwest has won three national titles, finished as national runner up four times and won 12 MIAA Championships.

This also is a "Homecoming" game for Loper head coach Darrell Morris, a 1983 Northwest graduate and member of the Bearcats football team as a quarterback.

This current crop of Bearcats is led by head coach Adam Dorrel. In his first year at the helm, he led Northwest to an 11-3 record and a berth in the 2011 NCAA quarterfinals. The '97 graduate of Northwest was an offensive linemen in his playing days and then served as Bearcat offensive coordinator from 2007-10.

Dorrel's offense has already used three QB's as the returning starting, junior Trevor Adams (6-1, 200 lbs.), has been a bit banged up. In his place, Nebraska natives Brady Bolles (Lincoln) and Tyler Seals (Bellevue) have filled the void, Bolles ranking second on the team in rushing (69.0 avg. & one TD) with Seals 12 for 19 through the air with two TD's and no INT's.

Last year, Northwest averaged a staggering 48.6 points and 489.0 yards per game as they went over 50 points eight different times. Adams is one of eight returning starters with former former UNO Maverick James Franklin (5-9, 185 lbs.) and senior Jordan Simmons (5-9, 185 lbs.) leading a potent running attack and a deep receiving corps currently led by  5-10 sophomore Bryce Young (14 recep., 236
yds., two TD's) and 6-0 senior Tyler Shaw (13 recep., 123 yds., one TD).

On the other side of the ball, Northwest is allowing only 98.3 yards per game on the ground and allowing opponent QB's to complete just 53% of their passes.
The Bearcats returned four starters off a unit that allowed 23.1 points and 353.6 yards per game. This year's defense, with four senior starters, is allowing 14.7 points and 317.3 yards per game thanks to seven sacks and six interceptions.

Players of note include sophomore backer DJ Gnader (6-2, 225 lbs.), junior corner Brandon Dixon (6-0, 195 lbs.) and senior rover back Collin DeBuysere (6-4, 230 lbs.).

Northwest is also strong on special teams as sophomore Kyle Goodblum is averaging a healthy 45.5 yards per kick. Next, Omaha senior Todd Adolf made 11 of 14 field goals last year, in addition to 88 of 90 PAT's, and has booted 43 and 48 yard field goals so far in 2012.

In the kick return game, Simmons had two TD's last year, averaging 30.8 yards in the process.  On punt returns, he is averaging 9.3 yards after being at 11.9 last fall with one score.

The Lopers will try and counter the Green & White Mean Machine with Mr. Everything in senior Tommy Flanagan (Golden, Colo.). The running back/wide receiver/punter/kick holder is averaging 103.7 all-purpose yards per game and is leading UNK in rushing (71.3 avg.), receptions (16) and is 2 for 2 through the air with two TD's.

He also has seen five of his 22 punts go over 50 yards.

Northwest will also keep an eye on senior receiver O'Neill Chambers (St. Cloud, Fla.), whose leading the Lopers in all-purpose yards per game at 131.3. A dangerous kick (18.5 avg.) and punt (15.7 avg.) returner, Chambers has caught seven balls for 109 yards and one TD.

Defensively, senior free safety Sam Kuck (Central City) has already recorded 31 tackles, giving him 196 in his career. He'll become just the 12th Loper since 1990 to reach 200 career stops.

Along the line, senior left end Dex Schwieger (Aurora) has a team-best 4.5 tackles for a loss of 11 yards. That total includes 1.5 sacks. The former UNO Maverick also has a pass breakup and a QB hurry.

Next Saturday, the Lopers travel to suburban St. Louis to face MIAA newcomer Lindenwood. The former NAIA Lions will likely come into that game with a 3-1 mark.