Game 1 Preview: Lopers Look to Start 1-0 Again

Corbey R. Dorsey

Football | 8/29/2018 10:30:00 AM

Kearney, Neb. – The 112th football team in Nebraska-Kearney history kicks off its season this Thursday night when the Missouri Southern State Lions come to Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.

Kick is set for 7 p.m. with First National Bank sponsoring the contest. It's also "Kearney Chamber of Commerce Night" with a short fireworks display happening soon after the game clock hits zero. Pre-game festivities include a set by the Blue Plate Special band, Loperville and the Pride of the Plains Marching band.

Like last year, action can be heard live on The River (93.1 FM) with the live video stream (for a price) provided by News Channel Nebraska and the MIAA Network. Live stats will also be available.

**GAME NOTES/DEPTH CHARTS**
UNK	Missouri Southern

This will be the 17th all-time meeting between the Lopers and Lions. UNK won last fall in Joplin, 16-6, as the defense picked off two passes and allowed 288 yards. Offensively, Kearney churned out 230 yards on the ground, its second highest output of the season.

Now leading the all-time series 9-7, the Lopers return the bulk of its 2017 roster as well as retaining its coaching staff. On the other side of the field, MSSU has new offensive and defensive coordinators with junior college transfers slated to start at several key positions.

Second-year head coach Josh Lynn has six 2017 All-MIAA players back from a 3-8 squad. Also making a triumphant return is fifth-year junior Luke Quinn (Scottsdale, Ariz.). The 2016 third-team all-conference pick missed last fall due to injury after having nearly 1,000 all-purpose yards as a redshirt sophomore. He's expected to start at running back, punt return and kick return.

Defensive ends Hinwa Allieu (Gaithersburg, Md.) and Tye Spies (Mullen), along with inside linebacker Sal Silvio (Kansas City, Mo), safety Dallas Vaughn (St. Louis) and corner Malik Webb (Roper, NC), earned 2017 all-league recognition. Fifth-year senior corner Famous McKinnon (Miami), a 2018 alternate team captain, also has been named All-MIAA in his Loper career and is part of a defense that ranked third in the MIAA in rushing (125.3 yards per game) and fourth in total (367.5 ypg) defense last fall.

UNK held MSSU, Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western State under 14 points last fall and was among the league leaders in sacks (28) and interception return yards (184).

The Lopers face an offense expected to pass first and features returning All-MIAA linemen in Aaron Leo (right tackle) and Mike Dzierzega (center). Receiver Carson Day earned all-conference honors in 2015 with JUCO transfers Sean Kelly (quarterback) and Caleb Batie (running back) leading the other skill positions.

Defensively, the Lions allowed 47 points and 530 yards per game in 2017. New coordinator Joe Bettasso, previously the DC at McKendree (IL) and Quincy (IL), welcomes back linebackers Roc Robbins (80 tackles; 5.5 sacks) and Akel Beard (85 tackles).

The Loper "O" returns its entire starting line with new faces doting the skill positions. One of those newcomers is three-time All-MIAA basketball player Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.). The 6-7, 230 pound wide receiver was recruited to play football out of high school and took part in spring ball with the Lopers. His brother, Will, is a redshirt sophomore on UNK.

Offensive skill newcomers include juniors David Goodwin (Lauderhill, Fla.), Cody Summers (Denver) and Darrius Webb (Allentown, Pa.), sophomore Trey Richards (Hutchinson, Kan.) and freshmen Montrez Jackson (Trenton, Fla.), Payton Kinne (Grand Island H.S.) and Carson Walters (Lincoln East). Goodwin, Jackson, Kinne and Walters all redshirted last fall.

Redshirt junior Alex McGinnis (Crete) takes over starting QB duties. The 6-3, 220 pounder has eight career games under his belt with one start. Besides Quinn, he can hand off to redshirt sophomore Dayton Sealey (Hastings St. Cecilia) who had a team-best five rushing TD's last fall. The veteran returning receivers are senior cruiser Alex Harms (North Platte St. Pat's) and junior receiver Austan Daniels (Omaha Burke).

Up front is sixth-year players Devin Hernandez (left tackle) and David Squiers (center) and 2017 All-MIAA pick Josh Stoltenberg (left guard). Finally, the new-look special teams include junior college transfer Kendall Raschein (Red Bluff, Calif.) who'll handle punting and kickoff duties.

UNK heads to Central Oklahoma next Thursday night, Sept. 6. The Bronchos visit Pittsburg State Thursday.

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Players Mentioned

#87 Tye Spies: TE; 6' 3"; Freshman

Alex Harms: Box Saf; 6' 2"; Freshman

#6 Famous McKinnon: CB; 5' 8"; Freshman

Devin Hernandez: DL; 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman

#16 Austan Daniels: WR; 5' 11"; Junior

#75 David Squiers: OL; 6' 2"; Graduate Student

#2 Dallas Vaughn: DB; 5' 10"; Junior

#13 Carson Walters: QB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

#18 Malik Webb: DB; 6' 1"; Senior

#80 Trey Lansman: WR; 6' 6"; Fifth Year

Players Mentioned

#87 Tye Spies
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: TE

Alex Harms
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: Box Saf

#6 Famous McKinnon
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: CB

Devin Hernandez
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman
: DL

#16 Austan Daniels
: 5' 11"; Junior
: WR

#75 David Squiers
: 6' 2"; Graduate Student
: OL

#2 Dallas Vaughn
: 5' 10"; Junior
: DB

#13 Carson Walters
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman
: QB

#18 Malik Webb
: 6' 1"; Senior
: DB

#80 Trey Lansman
: 6' 6"; Fifth Year
: WR