Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney football team begins the 2013 season at home Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. when a veteran Washburn Ichabods squad visits Ron & Carol Cope Stadium.

A large crowd is expected as this is UNK's first Thursday night home game in six years.Tickets are available on line by going to www.pickmytickets.com.

Once again, KRNY 102.3 FM is the Lopers flag ship station with Dave Jenner (play by play) and D.J. Johnson (color analyst) handling the call. Each week, they'll have an hour pre-game show and about 20 minutes of post game.

Fans can hear the broadcast by going HERE.

For a price, fans can watch 10 Loper games (minus Central Arkansas on Oct. 12th) via America One video web streaming. You can purchase on a game-by-game basis or buy a season pass. Go HERE to see UNK's America One page; video will show up just prior to kick off.

Finally, UNK's live stats page is available HERE.

Washburn, with 18 returning starters, is coming off a 7-4 (7-4) season. Led by 12th-year head coach Craig Schruig, the 'Bods started 7-1, only to fall to 2012 postseason qualifiers NW Missouri State, Missouri Western State and Emporia State.

The headlining Ichabod is junior receiver DaJuan Beard, who sat out last season. In 2011, he caught 62 balls for 1,029 yards and 15 TD's to earn All-American honors. A punt returner as well, he is joined by senior Matt Kobbeman, who had 598 yards and five TD's as a junior.

In beating UNK 24-14 last season in Topeka, Washburn saw junior QB Mitch Buehler go 13 of 24 for 179 yards, two TD's and no INT's. He finished the year averaging just over 170 yards per game with 16 scoring passes. Six-five backup Joel Piper (nine TD's in 2012) has exentsive experience as well.

A very talented backfield is led by Sean McPherson (782 yards, six TD's in 2011) and Vershon Moore (1,007 yards, 11 TD's in 2010). They'll be behind a line that must replace All-American Steve Dieckhaus.

Washburn, which allowed 20.1 points per game over the first eight weeks of 2012, must replace three honorable mention All-MIAA picks but senior end Cameron Jackson (6-2, 254 lbs.) is back after missing last fall.

Senior backers Bryce Atagi (114 tackles, 11.5 TFL) and Willie Williams (77 tackles, two INT's) and senior corner Devon Connors (25 tackles, two INT's) each earned All-MIAA honors last year. Four other seniors are slated to start as well.

UNK and Washburn played every season from 1963-69 and then again from 1976-88 when the two were members of the CSIC (Central States Intercollegiate Conference).

The Lopers, which lead the series 14-7, won 12 of the first 14 games but Washburn has won five of the last seven meetings, including the last four.
    
Last season in Topeka, UNK mustered 178 yards in its first three drives but had only seven points to show for it. Amassing 171 yards the rest of the way, the Lopers trailed 10-7 at the half and eventually fell by 10.
    
Two key Kearney records have been set against Washburn. In 1982 in Topeka, Luke Van Matre ran 23 times for a current school-record 307 yards. Three years later in Kearney, Ted Murray tied the school-record for TD catches (three) while setting a school-record for receiving yards (246). That figure now ranks third in Loper lore.  

The Blue & Gold could use some of Murray's and Van Matre's experience Thursday as the team will dress 30 players who've never played in a Division II game. That includes the top three QB's, who've never thrown a pass in a collegiate contest.

Ten starters are back from a 3-8 squad (2-8) that won three of its final four games in 2012. UNK suffered through an injury bug that knocked out the top three QB's by the third game. Throw in some "trick" plays and nine different Lopers attempted a pass last season.

Nebraska transfer Bronson Marsh, redshirt freshman Sam Brauer and true freshmen Luke McNitt, who'll also line up at other offensive positions, hope to solidify the position for years to come. Marsh was named UNK's starter the past Monday with Brauer, a lefty, serving as backup.

Team co-captain Stephan Rush (687 career yards & 10 TD's) and junior Cody Anthony (122 career yards & one TD) are the most experienced ball carriers while senior Matt Berry (2,323 career all-purpose yards) is the veteran receiver.

However, senior tight end Brett Klein (19 receptions for 214 yards) is the top returning receiver as Berry had only nine catches as a junior due to his All-MIAA work at QB.

The Lopers have five new receivers, including true freshman Noah Housh, former college basketball player Mark Nichols and JUCO transfer Andre O'Neal.

Up front, preseason All-American Cole Manhart (left tackle) and 2012 All-MIAA pick Pete Trausch (right tackle) man a line that has four starters back. UNK was among the MIAA's top rushing squads last year, reaching the end zone 24 times.

Defensively, the Lopers are led by senior co-captains Kenny Hill (corner), Kellen Werner (ILB) and Jason Wilcox (d-line). Other veterans of note are senior Jack Douglas (free safety) and juniors Matt Bowman (d-end) and Jack Wardyn (d-line).

Transfers Yatta Kiles (Indiana) and Traysean Alexander (College of the Sequoias) should help a secondary that gave up several deep balls last fall. In addition, sophomore Dillon Loschen is at box safety, replacing the departed Pete Kropp.

Werner, needing 85 tackles to become the Lopers all-time leader, is surrounded by three redshirt freshmen, namely Trey Andersen, Dexter Becker and Tyke Kozeal.

Finally, UNK has a senior -- Drew Wagner -- and two juniors -- Ryan Behmer and Riley Bonifas -- at the outside backer/strong safety spot.

On special teams, for the third time in four years, the Lopers have a true freshman at kicker in Payton Fluckey.

Next Thursday, the Lopers head to Kansas to face the Emporia State Hornets. ESU is at Fort Hays State tomorrow night.