Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney football teams heads to Warrensburg, Mo., this Saturday to visit the Central Missouri Mules.

The contest kickoff at 1:30 p.m.; check the Loper football schedule page for media links.

Walton Stadium, with a capacity of 10,000, is the site of UNK's (0-3, 0-3) biggest win as an MIAA member. Two years ago, the Lopers ran for 332 yards and three TD's to win 24-18.

Receiver-turned-QB Matt Berry finished with 104 yards and had two TD's in the 3rd quarter as the Lopers outscored the Mules 19-8 after the break. Defensively, UNK recorded five sacks and five other TFL's, leading to UCM rushing for -31 yards.

The Mules, led by former UNO QB Hayden Hawk, got its revenge last year at Cope Stadium, 56-0. Hawk was 21 of 26 for 328 yards and four TD's. His favorite target was Ronrei Lloyd (12 recep., 188 yds., one TD) who has graduated.

UNK limited current senior LaVance Taylor to 42 yards and a TD on 11 carries. He had just 13 yards on 12 carries in 2012.

Taylor leads the MIAA in rushing (138.0) and amassed 394 all-purpose yards and six TD's in a 50-31 win over Emporia State earlier this month. He also leads UCM in catches (12) and averages 34.3 yards on the kick return team.

Hawk (210 ypg) has thrown two TD's and four INT's so far this year with 6-3 sophomore reserve QB Garrett Fugate ranking second in rushing yards (27.7). Two redshirt freshman – right guard Layne Fischer and left guard Chris Gomez – man the line.

Like the offense, plenty of seniors dot the UCM two deep. The group has six INT's, three forced fumbles and registered 13 sacks while allowing opponents to covert only 32% on 3rd downs (16 of 50).

Junior MLB Ricky Spratley has a team-best 32 tackles and an INT with senior backer Alex Perlin at 26 stops. Also, reserve backer Sam Smith leads in TFL's with 3.5.

To get past this talented group, UNK would like to see its 3rd down production increase. Through three games, the Lopers are 15 of 46 (33%) on this key down.

The Kearney defense, which has 29 TFL and forced two turnovers, also pays attention to 3rd down. Opponents are converting nearly half the time, allowing them to average 35 minutes in time of possession. 

Currently, junior QB Bronson Marsh (59.3) and junior back Romero Cotton (58.7) are among the MIAA rushing leaders. Marsh has both of UNK's rushing scores this year with Cotton having caught one of the two TD passes Marsh has thrown.

The other belongs to junior receiver/returner Cougar Williams, who made his Loper debut last week. After racking up over 1,600 all-purpose yards at the College of the Sequoias (Calif.) in 2011, Williams had 97 total yards last Saturday vs. Missouri Southern State.His day included a 26-yard TD catch and a 26-yard punt return that setup UNK's first score.

Nine other Lopers have caught a pass besides Cotton and Williams. The leader is junior Allen Sampson (Tampa, Fla.) with five.

With Southern running the triple option and choosing to use the full back a lot last week, sophomore ILB Tyke Kozeal (Sargent) was busy making a career-best 19 tackles (three solo). 
He now leads the MIAA in tackles (45) with four other Lopers having between 22 and 24 stops. That group includes senior co-captain Jack Wardyn (Palmer), who has one forced fumble and one PBU as well.

Redshirt freshman safety George Brown (University City, Mo.) has UNK's lone INT, going for 16 yards in the opener at NW Missouri State. 

Finally, on special teams, senior Davis Brendel (Denver, Colo.) averages 39.0 yards per boot with eight of his punts being fair caught. Opponents are averaging just 4.6 yards on seven punt returns.

True freshman kicker Brendan Wentling (Grand Island) made his first collegiate field goal last week, coming from 32 yards out. He is 4 of 4 on PAT's and is averaging 52.0 yards on kickoffs.

The MIAA's surprise team, Central Oklahoma (3-0), comes to UNK next Saturday for the "MIAA Game of the Week." The game kicks at 2:00 p.m. and can be seen locally on KFXL (Fox Nebraska). UCO hosts No. 1 NW Missouri State this Saturday