Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Central Missouri scored 38 unanswered points to defeat Nebraska-Kearney, 38-7, Saturday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium.

With the win, the Mules (2-2) stop a two-game losing streak and now lead the all-time series with the Lopers (0-4) by a 5-2 margin.

Scoring 14 points in the second quarter and 21 more in the third, UCM rolled up 494 yards of total offense and also used some big plays to reach its point total.

One of those plays came with 3:09 left in the first half when the Mules lined up for a field goal. However, UCM starting quarterback Garrett Fugate doubles as the holder and he helped fake the three point try, tossing a 16-yard TD pass to senior tight end Ian Toalson.

"That was a good play by them. I had a little bit of an inkling they were going to run that and probably should've called a timeout," said UNK head coach Josh Lamberson.

To start the second half, UNK tried an onside kick but UCM was ready, recovering the ball at the Loper 44-yard line. Six plays later, Fugate hit sophomore receiver Jaylen Zachery across the middle for a 13-yard score.

"We saw something the first time we kicked off and said let's onside the next time we have a chance," said Lamberson. "Unfortunately, the ball kinda of went right to them."

The final big play came about nine minutes later and after the Lopers had picked up a first down. Senior QB Bronson Marsh (Millard South H.S.) attempted a pass to junior back Jamon Cotton (Hutchinson, Kans.) but a UCM defender tipped the ball and it was picked off by senior corner Kenny Mings. He easily returned it 52 yards for a 31-7 lead.   

The early going was a mixed bag for UNK. After fumbling on the first play from scrimmage, the Lopers saw junior defensive linemen Peyton Lange (Elkhorn H.S.) block a 23-yard field goal attempt by Papillion native Bill Greco at the 12 minute mark.

"They had to change their personnel after that play. We tripled team the guard and it worked perfect," said Lange.

After Kearney went three and out, UCM was on the march again. On 2nd & 6 from the Loper 17-yard line, Lange dropped into coverage, picked off Fugate and rumbled down the home sideline for the score and UNK's first lead of 2015.

"It's of the few plays we get to drop back into coverage. Our other end hit him and he (Fugate) was a bit off balance. I was only five yards deep and caught the ball at my knees," said Lange. "Last year, I had a pick and cut it back inside. I was told never to do that again so I just stayed along the sidelines and hoped for the best."
 
Fugate ended 16 of 29 for 249 yards, three TD's and that one INT. Sacked twice, he ended with 38 net yards rushing on 12 carries.

Freshman back Markel Smith spearheaded a 202 yard rushing attack, having 105 on 21 carries. His long run of 41 yards helped setup a 25-yard field goal by Greco midway through the first quarter.

Eight different Mules caught a pass, led by sophomore receiver Kyle Echols with five for 58 yards. His TD grab came on 2nd & 15 and from 27 yards out, giving UCM the lead for good at the 10 minute mark of the second quarter.

"Specifically in the first half, I thought our defense played really, really well," said Lamberson. "When your defense is on the field for 88 plays and you go 3 of 15 on third downs, it's going to be a little rough."

For UNK, Marsh was 10 of 25 for 60 yards while having team highs in carries (15) and rushing yards (41). He threw completions to six different players with fellow senior co-captain Dalton Sealey (St. Cecilia H.S.) having three for 22 yards.

"We kinda of continued our struggles on the offensive side of the ball. We didn't get any type of rhythm going and, obviously, the first play of the game has been our Achilles heel the past two weeks," said Lamberson. "From an offensive perspective, we have to say this is what we're going to do and get good at it. There will be some tinkering this week."

On the field for nearly 35 minutes of game time, the Loper defense forced five punts, had three sacks and three other tackles for loss.

"What a play by Peyton. You don't see d-linemen taking one back 89 yards for a touchdown. He made a real nice catch and gave our team a great spark," said Lamberson. "Our defensive line doesn't have a ton of depth but they just keep plugging. That's a tribute to those guys and their work ethic."

Junior linebacker Tyke Kozeal (Sargent) had a team-high 13 stops (five solo), leaving him five short of becoming UNK's all-time leader. Fellow inside backer Kellen Werner ('13) made 316 tackles; Kozeal's current total is 312.

Next, senior end Bryan Luna (La Crescenta, Calif.) and junior corner Antwan Hadley (Lake Wales, Fla.) each made seven stops. Hadley had two special team tackles as UNK's punt cover team held Zachery to -8 yards on three returns.

Recording the Loper sacks were senior end Josh Papa (David City), junior linemen Tanner Johnson (Rushville) and junior backer Andrew Jensen (Gretna).

Finally, junior punter Payton Fluckey (Springfield) averaged 39.1 yards on nine punt attempts with three of his boots landing inside the UCM 20-yard line. Starting deep snapper Jacob Runge (Lincoln Southeast H.S.) downed one of those at the four.

UNK is at Central Oklahoma (0-4) next Saturday. The Bronchos led No. 3 NW Missouri State at the half today, 13-10, but fell by a 23-16 score.
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