Kearney, Neb. - The 1967 Kearney State College football team is being honored this weekend as a "Team of Distinction". 

That Loper football team remains one of the most dominant and successful in school history. Led by head coach Al Zikmund, the Lopers went 9-0, was ranked sixth in the final NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) national poll and won the NCC (Nebraska College Conference). The NAIA playoffs consisted of only four teams and KSC unfortunately wasn't selected. 

The complete 1967 roster is available HERE. Of note, the entire team hailed from Nebraska.

Around 30 members of the team will be back in town this weekend and the group will be honored at Saturday's football game between UNK and Central Missouri. A plaque with team accomplishments will be hung in the Health & Sports Center. 

The '67 Lopers outscored the competition 388-68 (43-8 avg.) and featured two All-Americans in linebacker/fullback/kicker Lee Jacobsen and running back Dave Aspegren. Jacobsen was part of a defense that recorded three shutouts, held three others to less than 10 points and allowed 205 yards per game. The Lopers managed 28 interceptions, second most in school history, with Jim Zikmund having seven.

Jacobson, Aspegren, quarterback Rich Osentowski and ends Robert Rasmussen and Don Wells represented the squad on the All-NCC team. Jacobsen went on to be a fifth round pick of the New York Jets in the 1968 NFL draft, the highest draft position of any Loper football player.

Offensively, KSC averaged 419 yards per game with Osentowski having 11 rushing and six passing TD's. He both ran and threw for 650 yards with Aspegren registering 551 rushing yards and nine TD's. A powerful ground game saw five others have at least 100 yards. In the air, Wells was the top target and one of 11 players with a catch.

UNK began recognizing Teams of Distinction in 2003. Other honored teams are 1967 baseball, 1978, 1982 and 2003 men's basketball, 1987 women's basketball, 1964 men's bowling, 1959, 1991 and 1992 men's cross country, 1930, 1941, 1956, 1963 and 1978 football and 1975 volleyball. 

1967 Loper Game by Game Results
Opponent                                UNK         OPP        RES
Eastern Montana                     34            20            W
Washburn                                55            6              W
@ Fort Hays State                   27            7              W
@ Peru State                           42            0              W
@ Wayne State                       35            14            W
Dakota Wesleyan, S.D.           74            7              W
Chadron State                         49            0              W
Hastings                                  48            0              W
@ Northern State, S.D.          24            14             W