Kearney, Neb. – For the first time since 1994, Nebraska-Kearney heads to the Sooner State for a football game.

The Lopers take on Northeastern State this Saturday in an MIAA contest that kicks off at 1:00 p.m. Check the UNK schedule page for media links.

Kearney and NSU have met only four times previously with each club posting a 2-0 mark at home. UNK's two trips to Tahlequah came in 1960 and in 1980 for an NAIA playoff game.

Three years ago, prior to becoming an MIAA member, the RiverHawks came to Ron & Carol Cope Stadium.The Lopers used a 28-point first quarter and a Division II-record 214 interception returns yards from senior corner Arthur Hobbs to win 65-10.

UNK also rushed for 333 yards in that victory. Since joining the MIAA, the Lopers have had 10 games with 200 or more yards rushing.     

That includes the 281 put up in last Saturday's setback to Central Oklahoma. Averaging a healthy 6.7 yards per carry, UNK saw junior back Romero Cotton (Hutchinson, Kans.) have his second straight 100 yard day with juniors Allen Sampson (Tampa, Fla.) and  Dezden Petty (Carson, Calif.) ripping off runs of 31 and 40 yards, respectively.

Kearney now ranks fourth in the MIAA in rushing at 169.2 yards per week. The Lopers would like a few more scores among its 193 carries. To date, Cotton has one TD and junior QB Bronson Marsh (Omaha) two.

The running game may be big this week as rain is in the Tahlequah forecast. While NSU averages only 63.4 yards per game on the ground, they still have the services of senior Joel Rockmore. He had 12 carries for 59 yards in that loss to UNK.

More than likely, NSU will still try and throw the ball with junior Garrett Powell being the target. The NE Oklahoma A & M transfer leads the MIAA in receptions per game (6.6) while ranking third in yards (78.0). He had a big effort (14 recep., 179 yds.) in an OT loss to Emporia State.

Under first-year head coach Rob Robinson, a former offensive assistant at Washburn, the 'Hawks are averaging 11.0 points and 286.6 yards per game.

They were shut out by both Pittsburg State and Missouri Western State while tallying seven last Saturday at NW Missouri State. In the red zone, NSU has five TD's in 11 chances (45%).

Sophomore Kevin Pantastico has gone 98 of 183 (51.4 comp. pct.) for 1,066 yards, eight INT's and four TD's. Averaging 213.2 yards per game, he has one rushing TD and been sacked 12 times.
 
Senior Terrance Dixon (44) and Rockmore (32) have combined for 76 carries and 181 rushing yards. Finally, the line doesn't have any 300 pounders but three come in at 290.
 
Six senior and five sophomore starters make up a defense that has allowed 41.2 points and 384.6 yards per game to date. The opposition has tallied 13 rushing and 12 passing TD's while converting 89% (25 of 28) of the time in the red zone. Twenty of those scores have resulted in TD's.
 
Registering six sacks and forcing three turnovers (two INT's and one fumble), the unit is led by sophomore safety Steffon Herd. He has a team-high 37 tackles, including 29 solo. Next, MIKE linebackers Lane Dortch (33) and Kenneth Davis (28) rank second and third in tackles, respectively, with senior corner Chandler Barr having six PBU's.
 
On special teams, freshman Blake Williams (6 for 6) and senior Dylan Beers (1 for 2) are 7 for 8 on PAT's but neither has attempted a field goal so far. Both have also split kickoff duties.
 
For the second straight season, the Lindenwood Lions come to Nebraska. That October 18th game, during Fall Break at UNK, starts at 1:00 p.m. Lindenwood is 1-4 heading into a home game with No. 1 NW Missouri State.