Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney football team heads to the Missouri capital city this Saturday to face the Lincoln University Blue Tigers.

The game kicks off at 2 p.m. from Dwight T. Reed Stadium. Action (pregame, game and post game) can be heard live on The River (93.1 FM) with the live video stream (for a price) provided by the MIAA Network. Live stats are also available.

This is just the third all-time meeting between UNK (3-2) and LU (0-5). A longstanding MIAA member, the Blue Tigers played football in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) between 2014-18. When Lindenwood left for the GLVC this summer, Lincoln returned to replace the Lions.

The Lopers took the last meeting in 2013 by a 24-14 score as they ran 64 times for 306 yards and three scores. Both teams finished with 344 yards with Lincoln fumbling six times and losing three. 

GAME NOTES/DEPTH CHARTS

Nebraska-Kearney

Lincoln U.

The first meeting in 2012 will never be forgotten as the game was stopped late in the first half due to severe weather and then moved down the road to Jefferson City H.S. because of field conditions. LU managed a 34-27 win as they had a 97-yard TD pass, picked off wide receiver/tight end Justin Drudik three times and played solid red zone defense. Due to a rash of injuries that fall Drudik was one of seven Lopers to play quarterback.

Currently Kearney enters the weekend with the nation's second best offense (326.2 yards per game) as well as Division II's 30th-ranked rush defense (108 ypg). Lincoln counters with one of the MIAA's top backs in 5-7, 180 pound Hosea Franklin. The Memphis native has had games of 186 and 251 yards, respectively, and is at 7.4 yards per carry to be the nation's third ranked rusher (161 ypg).
 
Since joining the MIAA back in 2012, UNK has annually been one of the toughest teams to run against. The Lopers have allowed just seven 100-yard rushers the past seven years with 135 yards, by Central Oklahoma's Jake Standlee in 2017, the high water mark. Over the last 16 games only Emporia State in 2018 (204) has managed to reach 200 rushing yards vs. the Lopers.
 
Besides Franklin, quarterbacks Chancellor Johnson (#1) and Desmond Hunter (#17) have combined for 273 yards, five TD's and three INT's. Completing 45% of their passes, the duo also has rushed for 136 net yards while being sacked 12 times. Sophomore Dre'Shon Alston (#2) has team-highs in both catches (seven) and receiving yards (64) with the line featuring sophomore guard Jonathan Varga (#68) who comes  in at 6-2, 388 lbs.

A defense with three senior starters already has six INT's and recovered 10 fumbles. The Blue Tigers have brought those picks back for 45 yards and forced Washburn into seven turnovers (four fumbles and three INT's) in the season-opener.

Senior WILL Bri'on Sanders (#44) and senior corner Chavon Gross (#4) are tied for the team lead in stops with 35 apiece. Gross also is tied for the MIAA lead in INT's with three while Sanders has 26 solo tackles and two forced fumbles. Next, sophomore safety Cody Alexander (#33) has three fumble recoveries, two INT's for 41 yards and 30 tackles. Finally, junior SAM Elliot Albert (#9) has 2.5 TFL's and four PBU's.

UNK's offense is humming along to the tune of 6.2 yards per carry and 17 rushing TD's. Eleven different players have carried the ball once with five between 34-58 attempts. In the passing game, 13 Lopers have a reception with All-American high jumper Montrez Jackson (Trenton, FL) set to return after getting banged up midway through the Central Oklahoma contest (Sept. 12). He had three receptions for 78 yards in the loss before heading to the sidelines.

Defensively, Thedford sophomore inside backer Jacey Nutter has amassed 19 tackles (11 solo) the past two Saturday's. He's now third on the team in tackles for the year (19) and well as third in tackles for loss (4.0).

UNK hosts No. 5 Northwest Missouri State (5-0) next Saturday. The Bearcats have its annual donnybrook with Pittsburg State (5-0) this weekend at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.