Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney football team will try and beat Lindenwood for a third straight season when the two meet this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in St. Charles, Mo.

Due to a scheduling quirk, LWU visited UNK each of the past two seasons. Check the Loper schedule page for media and ticket links.

In 2013, the Lopers bested Lindenwood, 56-6. On a cold and windy day, Kearney ran the ball 68 times while completing 3 of 4 passes for two TD's. The Lions, sacked five times, never got on track and finished with -16 rushing yards.

Last year in more ideal conditions, UNK got out to a 24-0 lead and ended up winning 31-13 as quarterback Bronson Marsh (Millard South H.S.) and running back Romero Cotton (Hutchinson, Kans.) each ran for 112 yards.

All toll, Kearney carried the ball 119 times for 605 yards (5.1 avg.) and eight TD's in these victories. Conversely, a more pass happy Lindenwood amassed 83 rushing yards and two scores on 56 carries.

After opening 2015 with a last second home win over Washburn, the Lions have dropped five straight. They are averaging 13.7 points and 269 yards per game in using two different QB's.

Former USC Trojan and Arizona Wildcat Jessie Scroggins started the first four games, going 66 of 140 (47.1%) for 695 yards, three TD's and four INT's. He also rushed for 99 yards and two scores.
 
The expected starter this week is redshirt freshman Mason Bendigo (6-6, 230 lbs.). In five games with two starts, he is 33 of 72 (45.8%) for 334 yards, one TD and four INT's. Another option is sophomore Graham Lindman (6-4, 212 lbs.), who went 21 of 42 for 211 yards, no TD's and no INT's in last year's loss to UNK.
 
Five different Lions have caught 10 or more balls, led by 6-2 senior Greg Coble (20 recep., 224 yds., one TD) and 5-11 senior DeSean Warren (19 recep., 241 yds.). Senior Lavorrie Johnson returns as the starter at running back, cur­rently with 252 yards (42.0 ypg) and two TD's. He had 21 carries for 68 yards and a score last season at Cope Stadium.
 
Finally, the line features four sophomore starters, led by center John Keltner (6-0, 279 lbs.). This unit has allowed 22 sacks for a loss of 127 yards.

 
The Lion defense is unquestionably led by 6-0, 243 lbs. junior inside linebacker Connar Harris. The 2014 All-American has an MIAA-best 107 tackles (53 solo), including 6.5 for loss, and seven PBU's. He is well on pace to becoming the MIAA's all-time leading tackler.
 
As a group, LWU is allowing 37.2 points and 450.0 yards per game. Having forced three turnovers (two INT's and a fumble), the Lions are allowing 254 yards through the air as opponents are completing 69% of their passes.
 
Senior safety Roderick Ryles (49) and junior linebacker Clint Koons (46) are behind Harris in tackles with junior corner Bakari Triggs having an INT return of 45 yards.
 
On special teams, starting junior corner Bakari Triggs is among the top return men in the MIAA, averaging 22.4 yards on 11 kick returns. Johnson (17.5) is also a threat with starting receiver Tre' Roby averaging 11.1 yards on eight punt returns.
 
Junior Brandon White has made 2 of 4 field goal tries and 10 of 11 PAT's. Finally, senior Matt Klingler is one of the top punters in the MIAA, averaging a healthy 46.4 yards per boot. This average, featuring 11 punts over 50 yards, includes three blocks.
 
One Loper the LWU defense might have to focus on is redshirt freshman back Luke Quinn (Scottsdale, Ariz.). The one-time Wyoming commit has carried the ball 21 times for 96 yards over the past three weeks, having three runs over 10 yards.
 
For the fall, UNK has had 29 rushes over 10 yards (5.8 per game) with the longest being a 35-yard scamper by Cotton at Missouri Southern State. Marsh (14) has nearly half these "big gainers" with Cotton at eight.
 
A two-time 197 lbs. wrestling national champ, Cotton has 60 carries for 327 yards (5.5 ypc) and a score in two games vs. LWU. That includes a 36 carry, 215 yard effort in 2013, his best game as a Loper football player.
 
Lindenwood's kick cover team will have its eyes on senior defensive back Steven Burns Jr. (Las Vegas, Nev.), now the MIAA's top return man (26.3 avg.).
 
Burns had six returns for 201 yards last week, the most by a Loper in over 20 years. His total included a career-long return of 83 yards, a play that helped setup UNK's first score.
 
Coming into the year with a 27.5 kick return average, Burns also had 121 yards at Washburn and 115 yards at Central Oklahoma. He is well on pace to set new school records for kick returns and kick return yardage in a season. All-American Mike Smith had 26 returns in 1997 with current Kansas Associate A.D. Doug Banks having 692 yards in 1989. Burns has 525 yards on 20 returns.
 
Amazingly, no MIAA player has brought back a kick for a TD this year (294 returns). UNK's dry spell dates back to the 2007 opener – 360 returns – when receiver Cory Sleeth went 95 yards against Nebraska-Omaha.
 
UNK hosts 22nd-ranked Pittsburg State next Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The Gorillas (4-2) host 3rd-ranked NW Missouri State this week.