Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney football team finally returns home this Saturday when it battles the Lindenwood Lions at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.

This is the first of three 11 a.m. kickoffs for UNK games this year. Check the football schedule page for media links.

Both UNK (3-2) and LWU (2-3) are up-and-coming programs. Both have second-year head coaches, both have had a key win to date and both are relatively young on both sides of the ball. Unfortunately, this will likely be the last-ever meeting between the two; Lindenwood announced on Wednesday they are leaving the MIAA after this academic year for the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).
 
Last year's back and forth game in St. Charles featured tough weather conditions. The teams combined for seven fumbles (three lost) and five interceptions in a 35-31 Lions win. UNK saw current sophomore Dayton Sealey score three TD's (two rushing and one receiving) with graduate transfer Darrien Daniels having 122 rushing yards and one TD. LWU countered by averaging 5.0 yards per carry as running back Calen Campbell tallied 107 yards. 

GAME NOTES/DEPTH CHARTS

Nebraska-Kearney

Lindenwood

 

There were three lead changes as the Lopers fell behind by scores of 14-6 and 28-16 but led 31-28 late in the fourth quarter. The Lions blocked a punt with 2:18 left, recovering the ball at the UNK 16-yard line, to setup the winning score. UNK drove down the field in the final minute but a 28-yard "Hail Mary" fell incomplete on the final play. Overall, the Lions lead the all-time series 4-2 but are 1-2 in Kearney.

Head-coach Jed Stugart came to Lindenwood after building a solid programs at Sioux Falls and MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan). Last week at home vs. No. 10 Pittsburg State, the Lions used an 87-yard TD run and an 82-yard INT return for a TD to have things knotted up at 24 at the end of regulation. However, the Gorillas won 27-24 in overtime. A week earlier, Lindenwood won at Emporia State, 48-41.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Cade Brister is averaging a healthy 282 yards of total offense per game while junior tight end Erik Henneman has an MIAA-best seven TD receptions. The Lions offense also includes Lincoln native Najee Jackson (WR) and senior Paul Silvio (WR), brother of Loper linebacker Sal Silvio.

Defensively, the Lions have seven INT's for 167 return yards and two scores. Returning the majority of its starters from a year ago, the unit is led by safeties Darrius Williams and Grady Daniels who've combined for 94 tackles and five pass breakups. On special teams, reserve back Cameron Sanders brought back a kick 92 yards for a TD, pushing his season average to 25.4. Senior starting receiver Tyler Hogan is the new punt returner; his only attempt to date went for 18 yards. Finally, six-five kicker Barrett Foley has made 23 of 25 PAT's and 2 of 3 field goal tries. 

The Lopers enter the sixth weekend of the season leading the MIAA in rushing yards per game (302), rushing attempts (53 per game), rushing TD's (17), passing TD's allowed (three) and opponent fourth down conversion (31%).

UNK is looking to reach four wins for the first time since joining the MIAA in the fall of 2012. The Lopers won three games last fall as well as 2012-14. A 4-2 start would be the program's best since starting 6-0 in 2011.

Head coach Josh Lynn has a balanced rushing attack where three players are averaging over seven yards a carry. They are juniors David Goodwin (8.4) and Darrius Webb (7.7) and Sealey (7.6). Webb also leads the MIAA in rushing yards per game (90.6) and rushing scores (seven) while having two 100-yard efforts to date. Goodwin and senior back Luke Quinn both have three rushing TD's with Sealey having one of UNK's three TD receptions.

Silvio spearheads a defense that is allowing just 17 points and 290 yards per game. The junior inside linebacker has amassed 45 tackles and two forced fumbles in four games played. After a five-sack effort at Northeastern State, the Lopers now have 28 tackles for loss (11 sacks) as well as 15 PBU's and five fumble recoveries.

UNK heads to No. 16 Northwest Missouri State next Saturday. That "Homecoming" game will kick at 2 p.m.