Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney football team has the first of five home games this fall when the Emporia State Hornets come to Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field Saturday afternoon.

Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. Central with Dave Jenner and DJ Johnson having 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.

UNK leads the all-time series, 11-5, but the Hornets have won five of six, including the last four, against the Lopers. The two schools played every season from 1975-90 as members of the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC).

Last week, the Lopers fell at No. 20 Washburn, 24-14, while a senior-laden Emporia team rocked Fort Hays State, 41-18.

To pick up its first win over Emporia since 1986, UNK will look to slow down senior QB Tyler Eckenrode, a three-year starter who threw for a career-high 414 yards against the Tigers.  He earned honorable mention All-MIAA honors last year after tossing 18 TD's.

Eckenrode's favorite targets are senior WR Shjuan Richardson (5-9, 172 lbs.), who caught nine TD's in 2011, and senior TE Adam Schlitz (6-4, 256 lbs.).

Emporia is a bit inexperienced in the run game as sophomore Jordan Tice (5-9, 194 lbs.) and senior Derwin Hall (5-7, 169 lbs.) combined for 37 carries in 2011. The pair grew up, however, against Hays as Tice had 14 carries for 51 yards with Hall having 49 yards on 12 totes. Tice also had four catches for 37 yards and a score.

The Hornet line features senior center Lance Uhles (6-2, 276 lbs.), a 2011 second-team All-MIAA selection.

Senior free safety Derek Lohmann (6-1, 209 lbs.) leads an Emporia defense that features eight senior starters and two other seniors on the two-deep. Lohmann earned 2011 first-team All-MIAA honors as well as being tabbed All- American and All-Region by The Football Gazette.
He comes into the year with 14 INT's, tied for most in Emporia history. Lohmann had eight picks last fall, for 155 return yards, as well as 61 tackles (39 solo).

Senior MLB Ben Carlson (6-3, 246 lbs.) is the other Hornet defender to earn All- MIAA honors last season as he led ESU in tackles with 65 (40 solo). Up front, senior nose guard Dakota Hagler (6-0, 300 lbs.) had 7.5 TFL last year.

Against this veteran defense, the young Loper offense hopes to have better luck in the red zone. Against Washburn, UNK went 2 of 5 inside the Ichabod 20-yard line.

Redshirt freshman QB Aric Kaiser (Broomfield, Colo.), in his first collegiate game, went 23 of 34 for two TD's, one INT and had 13 carries for 26 yards. Both of Kaiser's TD passes came on 3rd and goal and he also completed passes to eight different receivers (five WR's, two RB's and one TE).

Senior WR Adam Lehner (Hastings) caught both of Kaier's scoring passes with Mr. Versatile, Tommy Flanagan (Golden. Colo.), lining up all over the field. The RB/WR/Punter/Kick Returner finished with a team-high 65 rushing yards on 12 carries, had five receptions for 28 yards and averaged 39.6 yards on five punt attempts.

Defensively, the Lopers shut down the Washburn run game, holding the 'Bods to 79 yards. Two WU QB's also ended the game with a 50% completion percentage (16 of 32).

Senior DE Dex Schwieger (Aurora) was the Loper Coaches Defensive Player of the Game after racking up six tackles, four behind the line of scrimmage. His TFL total included 1.5 sacks and the 2011 All-RMAC pick also batted down a pass.

Next week, UNK travels to nationally-ranked Missouri Western State. The 6:00 p.m. tilt is the "MIAA Game of the Week" and bee seen on live television throughout the Kansas and Missouri areas.