Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Sophomores Chas Stallard and Clay McKenzie each ran for 100 yards as Central Oklahoma overcame the big play to hold off Nebraska-Kearney, 36-24, Saturday afternoon in Edmond, Okla.
 
UCO (1-4) now leads the all-time series with the Lopers (0-5) by a 4-1 margin.
 
The 2014 MIAA Freshman of the Year, Stallard ran 21 times for 105 yards and a score from his quarterback position. He also was 19 of 32 in the air for 151 yards, one TD and one interception.

A 5-11, 200 lbs. back, McKenzie rumbled for 141 yards on 22 carries. His 11-yard scoring run with 53 seconds to go iced the game for UCO.
 
UNK led at the end of the first quarter, 10-6, and at halftime, 17-16. The Lopers got those leads thanks to an 80-yard TD pass from senior QB Bronson Marsh (Millard South H.S.) to junior WR Preston Foley (Houston, Texas) and a 67-yard INT return for a score by junior corner Antwan Hadley (Lake Wales, Fla.).
 
After Stallard engineered a 10 play, 75-yard TD drive to start the second half, Marsh threw a 73-yard TD strike to senior WR Cougar Williams (Hanford, Calif.) to give Kearney the lead back, 24-23. 
 
However, UNK's last six drives netted 97 yards with UCO holding on 4th & 1 from its own 30-yard line with 2:35 left. Four plays later, McKenzie ran for a score on 3rd and 3.
 
UCO moved ahead for good with another 10 play, 75-yard drive, scoring on a five-yard "Wildcat" run by 6-5, 235 lbs. junior Darrack Harger with 6:03 left in the third quarter. A 58-yard kick return by senior Steven Burns Jr. followed but the 'Chos forced a fumble two plays later, recovering the loose ball at their own 25-yard line.
 
The Lopers out gained the Bronchos, 431-420, but were 4 of 13 on third down with UCO converting nearly half (7 of 15) of its third down chances. Both QB's threw one pick with UCO recovering two Loper fumbles, resulting in three points.
 
That 39-yard field goal began the scoring and came just two minutes into the game. This marks the second straight week UNK has turned the ball over on its first possession.
 
Marsh finished 15 of 26 for a career-high 330 yards, two TD's and one INT while having team-highs in carries (13) and rushing yards (40). He was sacked three times.

 
His favorite targets on the day were Foley (four recep., 161 yards) and Williams (five recep., 108 yds.). This is the first time two Lopers have had 100 receiving yards days in the same game since October 30, 2010 at Western New Mexico. 
 
Marsh's 330 yards is the most by a Loper QB since Jake Spitzlberger went for 378 in a 2011 win over Colorado School of Mines.
 
"Preston really came on strong this week in practice and we knew we needed to create some of those explosive plays. He's a kid that can really run and he's getting a better grasp of the offense," said UNK tight ends/T's coach Kevin Bleil. "We felt this was the week to get Preston started."
 
Defensively, junior linebacker Tyke Kozeal (Sargent) had 15 tackles (eight solo), allowing him to become the all-time leader in school history. His 326 stops tops Kellen Werner's 316 tackles between 2010-13.
 
"We talked to our kids all week about (Stallard). He's going to run through you if you're not physical enough," said linebackers Jake Willrich. "Tyke is a talented football player and is fun to coach. But I know he wants to see us win a game."
 
Also, Milford junior Boone Anderson had nine tackles with fellow safety Dillon Loschen (Columbus) at seven. Finally, senior outside backer Greg Sherwood (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) had six tackles, including one of UNK's three TFL's.
 
Besides Stallard and McKenzie, eight different Bronchos caught a pass, led by junior J.T. Looper with six for 30 yards. Senior inside backer Malcolm Howard had a game-high 17 tackles (seven solo) with senior free safety David Busby at eight and picking off a pass for 25 yards.
 
Finally, UCO saw senior tackle Kenny Allen block a 26-yard field goal by UNK with 3:26 left in the first half.
 
UNK hosts Northeastern State next Saturday. The Riverhawks (0-5) lost, 59-7, today to 3rd-ranked NW Missouri State.