Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The 3rd-ranked NW Missouri State football team racked up 510 yards of offense and added a defensive score to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 53-7, Saturday afternoon in Maryville, Mo.
 
Northwest remains unbeaten (4-0, 3-0) while the Lopers drop to 0-4 (0-4).
 
Now 7-3 all-time vs. UNK, the Bearcats scored TD's on four of their first five possessions. These scoring drives covered 58, 46, 54 and 75 yards, respectively, and were capped by three passes (14, 25 and 28 yards) and a 5-yard run by back Billy Creason.
 
Defensive end Matt Longacre then recovered a fumble and returned in 17 yards for a 33-7 Northwest lead at the 9:21 mark of the second quarter. Later, the ' Cats added TD drives of 38 and 62 yards as well as two field goals.
 
UNK's lone score came late in the first quarter when redshirt freshman inside linebacker Tyke Kozeal (Sargent) intercepted a tipped pass and rumbled 74 yards for the Lopers second defensive TD of the season.  

Early in the third quarter, Kozeal (nine tackles) almost had another INT, one that likely would've gone 52 yards for six points.
 
For Northwest, senior QB Trevor Adams was 17 of 24 for 224 yards, three TD's and one INT with Lincoln North Star grad Brady Bolles 5 of 9 for 56 yards and one score.
 
Adams also led the team in rushing, carrying the ball 10 times for 47 yards. Eight different 'Cats carried the rock and they produced 228 yards. On the edge, nine Northwest players caught at least one pass, led by senior receiver Clint Utter (five for 78 yards and two TD's).
 
UNK totaled 124 yards with sophomore back Daniel DeShazer (Wichita, Kans.) and sophomore QB Bronson Marsh (Millard South) each rushing for 30 yards. 
 
Playing the last 2 1/2 quarters at QB, true freshman Luke McNitt went 3 of 9 for 45 yards and two INT's. Finally on offense, senior tight end Kalvin Zoucha (Albion) caught two passes.
 
Defensively, senior ILB Kellen Werner (Grand Island) and sophomore safety Dillon Loschen (Columbus) each made 11 tackles with junior end Matt Bowman (Kearney Catholic) at nine stops.

On special teams, junior Andre O'Neal (Miami, Fla.) had five kick returns for 93 yards and a punt return for 15 yards.
 
The home contest vs. Lindenwood (2-1) next Saturday is the "MIAA Game of the Week" and will be carried on live television throughout Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. It will kick off at 2:30 p.m.