Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior running back Mickeel Stewart scored three touchdowns in overtime to help the Washburn Ichabods out last Nebraska-Kearney, 47-44, in triple overtime Saturday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.

A Homecoming crowd over 4,028 witnessed just the sixth OT game in Loper history. UNK, now 1-5 in extra session games, lost a five OT contest at Adams State (Colo.) back in 1998, 54-48. That is the longest contest in school history.

For Washburn (3-1), this was the longest game in its history and they rode Stewart to another close win over the Lopers (0-4). In the third and final OT, Stewart ran six straight times, the last from a yard out to close out the 3:35 game.

Washburn's defense made a stand in the third overtime, limiting UNK to six yards in three plays. Grand Island junior Brendan Wentling booted his first field goal of the year, a 36-yarder, to make it 44-41.

Stewart had 19 carries for 87 yards and three scores while having two catches for 37 yards. He had a 13- scoring run in the first OT and a 25-yard TD reception in the second. Early in the fourth quarter, Stewart had another one-yard TD run that seemingly gave his team a comfortable 27-13 lead.

"Our guys grew up today. Obviously disappointed with the final result but extremely proud of the effort from our team and the heart that was displayed on the field," said Loper head coach Josh Lamberson. "We knew coming in it was going to be a heavyweight fight. That's essentially what it ended up being and our guys swung and were able to take some hits and respond. I couldn't be more proud of them."

UNK scored 14 points in the final 5:05 of regulation to force overtime. A 17-play, 82-yard jaunt ended with sophomore back Luke Quinn (Scottsdale, Ariz.) barreled in from a yard out on 4th and goal.

The Loper "O" got the ball back two minutes later and, despite having no timeouts, went down the field once more. Redshirt freshman quarterback Steve Worthing (Elkhorn South H.S.) scrambled for eight yards on 4th and 6 from the Washburn 33-yard line with just under a minute to go.

Two completions from Worthing to junior receiver Malcolm Moore (Excelsior, Minn.) moved the ball all the way to Ichabod two. Washburn, however, stuffed Quinn on a dive play and that also bled the clock.

With the clock winding down, Worthing tossed a 1-yard TD pass to Moore with just five seconds left. A Wentling PAT tied things up and then a late Washburn completion moved the ball only to midfield.

"We responded even though we had some bad things happen to us. Some of those were self-inflicted; we committed some silly penalties in the first half and then got down two scores. But were able to pick ourselves up and make some plays down the stretch," said Lamberson.

UNK gained even further momentum when, on the first play in OT, Quinn ran down the side lines on a wheel route. While he was covered tightly by safety Peter Pfannenstiel, he somehow managed to catch the ball in the corner of the end zone.

But, Stewart scored two TD's in the next four plays from scrimmage. UNK's last TD drive was aided by a holding call on 4th and 10 from the Washburn 25-yard line. The extra life led to a bullish 15-yard run by Quinn that knotted things up a 41.

"Luke really carried us offensively at the end. He made some unbelievable plays and just willed some things to happen," said Lamberson.

In a very even game across the board, Washburn totaled 398 yards to UNK's 389. The Lopers ran five more plays and had a five minute advantage in time of possession. 

While a Kearney fumble at midfield led to a WU third quarter touchdown, the 'Bods also air mailed a snap on a punt attempt. That led to Quinn trucking a Washburn defensive back en route to a 10-yard TD run and a 7-0 lead. 

UNK was up 7-6 at the half and 13-6 early in the third quarter when all the fun began. Unfortunately, the Kearney lead could've been 14-6 but a penalty on a PAT forced a retry and that kick was blocked. 

Worthing finished 21 of 37 for 234 yards, two TD's and not INT's. He also rushed 16 times for a team-high 62 yards. Redshirt freshman QB Alex McGinnis (Crete) made his first appearance as a Loper and picked up a key first down in the 4th quarter. His older brother, Derek, is the WU starting QB.

Next, Quinn 98 all-purpose yards and four scores with Moore having 10 catches for 69 yards. Finally on offense, senior tight end Julian Navarrette (Queen Creek, Ariz.) had a team-best 85 receiving yards on just two catches.

The elder McGinnis went 12 of 27 for 203 yards and three TD's. He completed passes to five teammates with nine different 'Bods carrying the ball. Besides Stewart, Chris McGee Jr. had 82 yards on five carries.

As usual, Sargent senior linebacker Tyke Kozeal was all over the place to the tune of 18 tackles (eight solo). That pushes his career total to 500, making him just the fourth Division II player to reach that total.

Also, senior corner Darian Thomas (Coral Gables, Fla.) had eight tackles and a pass break up with sophomores Tyke Spies (Mullen) and Garrett Poppen (Giltner) both having seven stops and a sack.

"Our guys want to win. They want to breakthrough and taste that success. They know they are close and I know close is irrelevant but, as the same time, these guys have continue to chop wood and climb the mountain.

UNK hosts Missouri Southern State (0-4) next Saturday. The Lions led No. 1 ranked NW Missouri State 13-0 after one quarter tonight but eventually fell 45-21.
 
UNK in Overtime Games 
Yr.            Opponent                                Result           OT Periods      Location
2016        Washburn                               L, 47-44           3                      Kearney
2010        Colorado Mines                       L, 55-53           3                      Golden, Colo.
2010        Wayne State                           L, 24-17           1                      Kearney
1998        Adams State                           L, 54-48           5                      Alamosa, Colo.
1997        New Mexico Highlands              W, 49-48         2                      Las Vegas, N.M.
1997        Chadron State                         L, 40-34           1                      Kearney