Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney football team, riding a two-game winning streak, hosts the green juggernaut known as Northwest Missouri State Saturday at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.

UNK's fourth home game kicks off at 2 p.m. 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. 

GAME NOTES/DEPTH CHARTS

Nebraska-Kearney

NW Missouri St.

One of 16 unbeaten teams remaining in NCAA Division II, seventh-ranked Northwest comes in riding high after a 38-17 pasting of then-No. 15 Pittsburg State last Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium. The Bearcats spotted the Gorillas a 7-0 lead before ripping off 28 straight points.

Since the start of the 2002 season, Northwest is now 208-32 with 12 MIAA and four national titles in that span. They have won seven in a row and 10 of the last 11 against the Lopers (4-2). UNK's last win in the series came in the 1990 season finale, a 45-42 decision at Foster Field.

UNK threw for over 300 yards that day but that's not going to be the case this Saturday. The Lopers are averaging nine completions per game but is second in D2 in rushing yards per game with 337.3. The balanced ground attack features Florida senior back David Goodwin (10.4 yards per carry) and three others all between 66.0-67.2 yards per game. 

Running against the 'Cats has never been easy and won't be Saturday. Northwest is ninth nationally in rush defense, allowing only 76 yards per game and 2.3 yards per carry. UNK has 22 rushing touchdowns to lead the MIAA while the Green & White has allowed a league-low three ground scores.

Last year in a 27-13 loss in Maryville the Loper rushed 47 times for 132 yards (2.8 ypc) and two scores. Crete senior QB Alex McGinnis helped erase a 21-0 hole with two short scores but the 'Cats responded with two field goal drives and two interceptions to stave off the comeback attempt.

Throwing against Northwest isn't any easier as eight players have a pick, good for 85 yards and three TD's. Backup sophomore corner Trey Washington (#23) has team-highs in both INT's (three) and PBU's (eight) with sophomore Rover Sam Phillips (#43) at 32 tackles, one INT for 43 yards and 4.5 TFL's. Finally up front sophomore nose guard Zach Howard (#94) has a team-best 4.5 sacks with end Sam Roberts (#98) at a team-best eight QB hurries.

An offense with three senior starters is at 47 points and 457 yards per game. The 'Cats are converting 35% on third down, have scored 97 points in the second quarter and maintain a 71% TD red zone rate (15 of 21).

The 2018 MIAA Freshman of the Year, Elkhorn South's Braden Wright (#12) is completing 53% of his passes for 199 yards per game and 13 TD's. He is Northwest's second leading rusher in both attempts (50) and yards (299) while tied for the lead in scores (four). Next, graduate transfer Justin Rankin (#11) is the top back, averaging 85 yards per game with four scores. He was Kent (Ohio) State's second leading rusher in 2018, having 574 yards and four TD's. The 5-10, 210 pound Rankin also is Northwest's second leading receiver (16 recep., 213 yds., two TD's).

Finally, four other 'Cats have at least two TD receptions including Harper (#18) and JUCO transfer Imoni Donadelle (#19). He has a team-best 17 catches for 328 yards and also has a 99-yard kick return for six points. Finally, the line features 2018 first-team All-MIAA left tackle Tanner Owen (#75).

Sitting at 4-2 for a second straight year, UNK comes into the game ranked second in the MIAA and 30th in D2 in rushing defense (108.5 ypg). Allowing 3.1 yards per carry and five TD's, the Loper "D" has allowed just one team to reach 200 rushing yards (Emporia State, 2018) over the last 17 games.

The veteran front is led by Maryland senior Hinwa Allieu (17 tackles; 5.0 TFLs), Florida senior Jordan Ingraham (12 tackles; 2.0 TFL's), Gretna junior Shane Henderson (7 tackles; 3.0 TFL's), Holdrege junior Blake Schroeder (12 tackles; 2.5 TFL's) and Mullen redshirt freshman Tell Spies (19 tackles; 4.5 TFL's).

Missouri senior ILB Sal Silvio (37) and Florida senior safety LaRoy James (32) continue to lead in tackles with junior corners David Tolentino Jr. (Sacramento) and Terrell Williams (Miami) both with four pass breakups. With one more pick Tolentino Jr. will join safety Sam Kuck (2012) as the only Lopers in the MIAA era (2012-pre.) to have four INT's in a single season.
 
UNK heads to rival Fort Hays State next Saturday. That game kicks at two with the Tigers (4-2) riding a four-game winning streak heading into a road date at Pitt State this week.