Game 9 Preview: #17/17 Lopers Vs. #8/6 Bearcats

Football 10/29/2021 3:38:00 AM

Game 9 Preview: #17/17 Lopers Vs. #8/6 Bearcats

Kearney, Neb. - The No. 17/17 Nebraska-Kearney football team has its biggest regular season game in a decade when it faces No. 8/6 Northwest Missouri State Saturday afternoon in Maryville.

The last time UNK and its opponent was in the Top 20 at the same time was October 2011 when the No. 4 Lopers hosted No. 11 Colorado State-Pueblo. CSUP won, 27-14, on an extremely windy day at Cope Stadium. Fans not in Maryville can watch via The MIAA Network, listen to KRVN 93.1/106.9 FM or following along with live stats.

For added measure it's "Homecoming" at Northwest with tickets having been long sold out. A crowd of close to 9,000 is expected at Bearcat Stadium for the de facto MIAA Championship game. UNK comes in 7-1 with Northwest at 6-1 (game vs. Lincoln canceled due to COVID protocols within the Blue Tigers program).

UNK shocked the Division II Football World in 2019 when it beat the Bearcats, 24-17, in Kearney. The Lopers jetted out to a 21-0 lead before holding on for its first win over Northwest in 29 years. The 'Cats still have a healthy 12-4 series advantage.

The Lopers managed to hand the 'Cats one of its 17 losses since 2011 (to 113 wins) by running for 228 yards, forcing five punts and taking advantage of four Northwest turnovers. Quarterback TJ Davis (Colorado Springs) ran for an even 100 yards and a score while throwing for 125 yards and a TD.

The nation's most efficient passer, Davis is now completing 65% of his passes for 197 yards a week. He leads D2 in passing yards per attempt (12.1) and completion (18.8) and ranks 10th in school history with 25 TD tosses. Finally, Davis has thrown at least two TD's in five straight contests.

He and the Loper "O" face the perennial Green Wall as the 'Cats are allowing just nine points and 233 yards a game. Teams have scored only five offensive TD's (four passing and one rushing) against Northwest and reached the red zone a scant 11 times. Allowing 1.6 yards per carry, the 'Cats have held five teams to seven or fewer points.

UNK's option-based attack reached its 228 yards on 60 carries in 2019. Besides Davis, three backs combined for 136 yards and one TD. In 2021 the Lopers are at 270 rushing yards a week, down from 343 in 2019.

Dayton Sealey

Northwest's defensive success always starts with a terrific front seven. This year that includes tackle Sam Roberts (#98), end Zach Howard (#94) and linebacker Jackson Barnes (#48). Northwest has 50 tackles for lost yardage, including 16 sacks, as well as 28 pass breakups.

Offensively, former Loper verbal commit Braden Wright (Elkhorn South) return to the field last Saturday. In his absence, sophomore Mike Hohensee (#9) stepped up and currently leads D2 in completion percentage (73). Wright (#12) and Hohensee have combined for 17 TD tosses and 1,496 yards with receiver Alec Tatum (#85) and Braden Davis (#6) being the top targets.

A top-notch o-line features 2019 first-team All-MIAA pick Tanner Owen (#75) at left tackle with Harlon Hill Trophy candidate Al McKeller (#2) the starting back. He has amassed nearly 4,500 career rushing yards in playing for Indianapolis and the 'Cats.

UNK's defense currently ranks second in the MIAA against the pass (117.8), is tied for first in opponent completion pct. (53.8) and is eighth against the run (156 ypg). The Lopers have two shut outs to its credit and in key wins at Pittsburg State and Emporia State allowed a combined 14 second half points.

Junior safety Darius Swanson (Aurora, Colo.) and junior ILB Zach Schlager (McCook) rank 1-2 in tackles, combining for 111, with Swanson also having a team-high three INT's. The Lopers have eight picks to date, third most in the Josh Lynn (2017-pre.) era. Finally, UNK is third in the league in net punting (37.3 avg.) as junior Hunter Kraus (Sargent) has a solid 40.0 per boot average.

UNK heads to Central Oklahoma (4-4) next Saturday with Northwest heading to Missouri Southern (3-5). UCO is at Pitt this weekend with the Lions hosting Missouri Western.

UNK Weekly Release/Depth Chart & Roster

Northwest Weekly Release/Depth Chart & Roster

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Players Mentioned

#2 TJ Davis: QB; 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior

#40 Hunter Kraus: P; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#1 Darius Swanson: S; 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior

#8 Zach Schlager: ILB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#2 TJ Davis
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior
: QB

#40 Hunter Kraus
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: P

#1 Darius Swanson
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior
: S

#8 Zach Schlager
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore
: ILB