Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney football team looks to end another long streak when it hosts the 18th-ranked Pittsburg State Gorillas Saturday night at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.

The Family Night contest, hosted by the University of Nebraska Federal Credit Union, kicks off at 7 p.m. with Fan Fest festivities beginning at 5 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. 

Last week at Emporia State, UNK (2-1) used a strong first half and two late drives to hold off the Hornets by a 31-21 score. It marked the Lopers first win in Francis G. Welch Stadium in 36 years. 

GAME NOTES/DEPTH CHARTS

Nebraska-Kearney

Pitt State

Once again 1983 – the year of Cabbage Patch Dolls, National Lampoon's Vacation, Staying Alive and Mr. Roboto -- looms large. Pitt has won 11 in a row over the Lopers including a 2005 first-round playoff win at Foster Field. UNK hasn't beaten the Gorillas since posting a 27-13 "W" on the road back in 1983.

The 22nd all-time battle between Pitt and the Lopers may not take too long as both love to run the football. UNK, using its pistol-option, ranks third nationally in rushing yards per game at 300.7. Two spots ahead of the Blue & Gold is Eastern New Mexico (398.3), head coach Josh Lynn's alma mater and previous employer.

Pitt, using the old school veer, is second in the MIAA and 28th in Division II at 215.0 rushing yards per game. Tenth-year head coach Tim Beck, who led the Gorillas to the 2011 National Title, then brings in a different quarterback to run a more common spread attack. This unique system has Pitt churning out 47 points and 398 yards per game.

The Gorillas began the year with a wild 37-35 victory at Central Oklahoma. Ahead 34-7 at one point, Pitt started fumbling the football and UCO came all the way back to lead 35-34 on the strength of a "scoop & score." However, Pitt regained its composure, marched down the field and walked off the Bronchos with a 20-field goal as time expired.

The Gorillas then used a big fourth quarter to down Emporia State, 47-23, before blasting Northeastern State, 58-3, last Saturday at home. The Gorillas started 2018 with a 5-0 mark and finished up at 8-3.

Offensively the line features two returning All-MIAA picks with senior Lorenzo West Pitt's top receiver (10 recep., 200 yards, one TD) and among the MIAA's top kickoff return specialists (four returns, 167 yards, one TD). The QB's are sophomore Brandon Mlekus (34 rushing ypg) and redshirt freshman Mak Sexton (143 passing ypg; 2 TD's) with a deep backfield led by juniors Tyler Adkins (58.0 ypg; 3 TD's) and Tucker Horak (29.3 ypg; 5 TD's).

A stout and experienced defense with five senior starters is allowing only 20 points and 299 yards per game. Having already picked off six passes, the Gorillas are allowing just a 25% conversion rate on both third and fourth downs.

Minnesota transfer and corner KiAnte Hardin (#1) spearheads the unit that also includes senior inside backer Chase Johnston (#13), senior tackle Simanu'a Thomas (#92) and senior safety Creighton Sanders (#20). Hardin had an INT and two PBU's in last year's win over UNK. He has managed two INT's for 72 yards to date, as well as 127 yards on five punt returns. Next, Johnston (19) and Sanders (15) have combined for 34 tackles with Thomas at 2.5 sacks. Note Pitt has an MIAA-best 12 sacks for 52 yards while UNK hasn't allowed one through three weeks.

Finally, kicker Jared Vincent is among the best players at his spot in the league as he is 26 for 26 on attempted kicks (16 PAT's & 10 FG's). That includes three makes between 40-49 yards.
 
Under the lights for a second straight home game, UNK comes in having outscored the competition 60-19 in the first half while being outscored 57-33 after halftime. Last year the Lopers had a 137-109 point advantage in the second half. 
 
The defense has been salted early, allowing only 360 combined first half yards to Emporia, Missouri Southern and UCO. UNK forced MSSU to punt on five of its seven first half drives, made UCO boot the ball away three times and saw the Hornets have four first half punts.
 
After five sacks last Saturday UNK is now second in the MIAA behind Pitt with 10. Five Lopers have reached the opposing team's QB led by senior ILB Sal Silvio (3.0) and senior end Hinwa Allieu (2.5). The Blue & Gold managed 18 sacks all of last year but had 28 in 2017. 
 
Also on defense, Kearney had 14 PBU's, forced two fumbles and picked off two passes. Junior corner David Tolentino Jr. (four) leads in pass breakups with fellow newcomer and corner Terrell Williams (three) second. Per usuall, Silvio has been all over the field to the tune of a team-best 22 tackles, two PBU's, one fumble recovery and 4.0 tackles for loss.

Offensively, UNK almost had three 100-yard rushers last week in senior back David Goodwin (90), junior back and co-captain Dayton Sealey (124) and redshirt freshman QB TJ Davis (147). Goodwin is at a team-best 8.5 yards per carry, Davis has a team-high three rushing TD's, senior back Darrius Webb leads in yards per game (87.5) with Sealey (five) second to Goodwin (six) in receptions.

The Loper passing game has 29 completed passes for a whopping 525 yards (18.1 avg.). Redshirt freshman Aubrey Marschel-Parker has two catches but they've gone for 44 and 29 yards, respectively, with four others having a grab of at least 30 yards.

UNK has "Homecoming" next Saturday as the Northeastern State RiverHawks (0-3) come to town for a 2 p.m. kickoff. NSU hosts Missouri Western State (1-2) this week.