Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney football team will look to slow down the 19th-ranked Emporia State Hornets this Saturday in Kansas.
 
The regular season finale for both teams is set to begin at 2:00 p.m. Check the Loper schedule page for media links.
 
E-State (8-2) is currently ranked sixth in Super Region Three and a win over the Lopers will secure a spot in this year's 28-team NCAA Division II playoffs. The playoff field has expanded, giving each of D2's four football regions seven teams.
 
On a windy and cold day at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium last November, UNK got out to a 35-7 lead and hung on for a 42-40 win over Emporia.
 
Despite some howling and swirling winds, as well as snow and ice, current sophomore Ty Reasnor threw four TD's to lead the comeback but a missed PAT, failed two-point try and a Loper stop on fourth down in the closing seconds gave the win to UNK.
 
Reasnor is the current backup as senior Brent Wilson (6-0, 195 lbs.) is back to form after missing most of last fall with injuries. He directs a veteran offense that averages 34 points and 469 yards per game and converts 49% on third down.
 
White has completed 67% of his passes for 3,067 yards, 29 TD's and nine INT's. Also having 243 rush­ing yards and three ground scores, Wilson and Reasnor (6-2, 196 lbs.) have been sacked 26 times.
 
Two years ago, Wilson was 23 of 34 for 297 yards, four TD's and no INT's in a 34-21 win over the Lopers. In 2012 in Kearney, then-ESU signal caller Tyler Eckenrode was 30 of 43 for 367 yards, four TD's and no INT's in a 58-35 win.
 
Currently, seven Hornets have caught at least 18 balls, led by 6-3, 186 lbs. sophomore slot Mitchell Foote (67 recep., 721 yds., 12 TD's) and 5-9 senior Kavaski Ervin (64 recep., 837 yds., six TD's).
 
In the backfield, 5-11 junior Antonio Brown and 5-9 redshirt freshman Landon Nault combine for 96.7 yards per game and have scored seven TD's. Finally, four seniors start along the line and at tight end, led by right guard Eric Pruitt (6-1, 331 lbs.).

 
UNK now ranks second in the MIAA in pass defense, holding teams to just under 200 passing yards per game. Over the last five weeks, Loper opponents have gone 52 of 102 (51 completion pct.) for 833 yards, five TD's and five INT's.
 
Despite some different lineups at corner and safety, the Lopers lead the MIAA in interceptions returned for scores (three) while ranking third in INT return yardage (225).

For ESU on defense, five seniors start on a unit allowing 24.6 points and 403.9 yards per game. Emporia has forced 17 turnovers, has a 53% red zone TD rate and the third most sacks (30) in the MIAA.
 
Junior linebacker Josh Monteagudo has a team-high 78 tackles and one INT with fellow backer Kole Schankie at 77 stops, including 10.0 for loss (3.5 sacks).
 
Next, senior backer Jason Tetuan has a team-best 11.0 TFL's with 5-11 junior cor­ner Tre' Dickerson leading in interceptions with three. The interior is led by 6-2, 286 lbs. junior nose guard Eddie Vinson.
 
UNK's special teams will have an eye on Foote as he has brought back two punts for scores. Also, sophomore Austin Morton has made 12 of 14 field goals and is 8-8 for inside 30 yards. On PAT's, he's missed just three times (39 of 42) all season.
 
The Loper offense, with 10 seniors set to play their final college game, will be led by QB Bronson Marsh (Millard South H.S) for one more time.
 
With another productive effort, Marsh will finish his career ranked fifth in Loper lore in passing yards and second in rushing yards by a UNK QB. He currently has 3,515 passing and 1,451 rushing yards, to go along with 38 total TD's.
 
Second-year Loper Cougar Williams (Hanford, Calif.), also a senior, is currently in the career top 10 in yards per catch. The big play Williams is at 17.87, just ahead of former NFL free agent signees Paul Reilly ('88/17.73) and Richie Ross ('05/17.50).
 
UNK and ESU will see each other a lot earlier in 2016; September 8th (Thursday) in Kearney. That game will kick at 7:00 p.m.

Below are the Lopers seniors.

Defensive/Special Team Seniors
    # 21 Shai Harris (CB, Glendale, Ariz.) ... 2014-15
    # 9 Steven Burns Jr. (CB/S/KR, Las Vegas, Nev.) ... 2012-15
    # 19 Dillon Loschen (S, Columbus) ... 2011-15
    # 24 Boone Anderson (S, Milford) ... 2011-15
    # 41 Greg Sherwood (OLB, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) ... 2011-15
    # 27 Josh Papa (DE, David City) ... 2011-15
    # 37 Bryan Luna (DE, La Crescenta, Calif.) ... 2014-15
    # 97 Peyton Lange (DE/DL, Elkhorn) ... 2012-15

Offensive Seniors
    # 1 Dalton Sealey (WR, Hastings) ... 2013-15
    # 13 Cougar Williams (WR, Hanford, Calif.) ... 2014-15
    # 25 Traveon Presley-Freeman (WR, Peoria, Ariz.) ... 2014-15
    # 32 Tannor Mroczek (WR, Gothenburg) ... 2011-15
    # 89 Darren Mason (WR, Weeping Water) ... 2011-15
    # 7 Bronson Marsh (QB, Omaha) ... 2013-15
    # 17 Tyler McKeone (QB, Lexington) ... 2012-15
    # 11 Romero Cotton (RB, Hutchinson, Kans) ... 2013-15
    # 22 Kevin Lane Jr. (RB, Carson, Calif.) ... 2014-15    
    # 61 Javier Mendoza (OG, Lexington) ... 2012-15
    # 72 Jake Spies (OG, Mullen) ... 2011-15