Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Redshirt freshman quarterback Mason Bendigo threw two long touchdown passes and Lindenwood took advantage of some penalties to defeat Nebraska-Kearney, 28-10, Saturday afternoon in St. Charles, Mo.

With the win, the Lions (2-5) stop a five-game losing streak while UNK falls to 0-7.

Lindenwood's first three touchdown drives all were kept alive by Loper penalties.

With five minutes left in the first quarter, senior corner Shai Harris (Glendale, Ariz.) had his first career interception called back due to an off sides call on 3rd & 5 from the Kearney 11-yard line. The pick came in the end zone and would've resulted in a touchback. Instead, Bendigo's "hard count" worked.

Two plays later, junior linebacker/running back Connar Harris scored from a yard out. Harris, a 2014 All-American and the current MIAA tackle leader, recorded 18 stops today and is well on his way to becoming the league's all-time leader in tackles.

Late in the second quarter, the Lions faced a 4th & 4 from the Loper 35-yard line. Kearney held but a pass interference call kept the drive alive. Two playes later, Bendigo threw a 28-yard TD strike to receiver Greg Coble to make it 14-7 at the half.

Finally, with the score 14-10 late in the third quarter, Lindenwood was stopped on 3rd & 9 from its own 19-yard line. However, UNK was off sides on another hard count and that allowed Bendigo another chance. He tossed a 76-yard TD pass to Coble on the next play from scrimmage.

With eight minutes left in the game, and facing 3rd & 11, Bendigo found Coble again, this time for 70 yards and another score. A 6-2 senior, Coble finished with five catches for 172 yards.

"We allowed too many big plays and that's something we've been preaching all year," said UNK linebackers/special teams coach Jake Willrich. "We were hit over the top in man and zone coverage. Fundamentally, we've got to get our eyes in the right spot."

In third career start, Bendigo (6-6, 230 lbs.) was 15 of 25 for 325 yards, three TD's and one INT. He wasn't sacked; Lindenwood came in allowing 3.6 sacks per game. Next, five-eight junior receiver Tre' Roby tallied 120 yards and a score on four receptions with junior back Calen Campbell running 15 times for a team-best 39 yards.

Lexington senior Tyle McKeone was UNK's starting quarterback as senior Bronson Marsh (Millard South H.S.) and redshirt freshmen Ryan McFarlin (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Stephen Worthing (Elkhorn South H.S.) were sidelined.

In his third career start, McKeone was 10 of 14 for 86 yards and one TD. His scoring pass was a 24 yarder to junior tight end Julian Navarette (Queen Creek, Ariz.) at the 6:55 mark of the second quarter.

Sophomore receiver Tityus Mitchell (Hastings, Fla.) had a team-best three catches for 12 yards with senior back Kevin Lane (Compton, Calif.) having 14 carries for a career-best 71 yards. Fellow senior Romero Cotton (Hutchinson, Kans.) rumbled for 48 yards on 12 totes.

"Tyler did a nice job managing the game," said tight ends coach Kevin Bleil. "We were able to get the run game going a bit today. I thought our backs did a good job running the ball but we didn't finish some drives."

UNK's other points came on a 44-yard field goal by Grand Island sophomore Brendan Wentling midway through the third quarter. The score capped a 14 play, 57-yard drive.

Defensively, Sargent junior linebacker Tyke Kozeal had a team-best 12 tackles, his 12th straight game with 10 plus tackles. Fellow backer Devontay LeFlore (Omaha Central H.S.) had 10 stops, five of the solo variety, with senior safety Steven Burns Jr. (Las Vegas, Nev.) having eight tackles and a PBU. Up front, junior end/linemen Peyton Lange (Elkhorn) had his team-leading second INT, bringing it back 33 yards. He one handed the ball on an attempted screen pass and now has 122 return yards.

Finally, the MIAA kick return leader, Burns Jr. didn't get a chance to return one this week. Redshirt freshman Luke Quinn (Scottsdale, Ariz.) did and had three for 55 yards.

"Our kids have been working their tails off in practice and we want them to get a victory," said Bleil.

Nationally-ranked Pittsburg State visits Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field next Saturday at 1:00 p.m.