Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney football team closes out the 2022 home slate with the Central Oklahoma Bronchos this Saturday at high noon.
Prior to kickoff and the National Anthem, 18 Loper seniors will walk. A few of these seniors could return for a "super" season while several other fifth-year seniors have already opted in and wall walk next fall. For those not in attendance, they can listen live (The River 93.1/106.9 KRVN FM), watch live (The MIAA Network) or follow along with live stats.
UNK (6-3) is hoping to win out and possibly earn a spot in one of two area Division II bowl games; the Farmers Bank & Trust Live United Bowl (Texarkana, Ark.) and the Fun Town RV Heritage Bowl (Corsicana, Texas). Both games at set for Saturday, Dec. 3. Selections would happen after the 28-team playoff field is announced on Sunday, Nov. 13. UNK took part in the Mineral Water Bowl (Excelsior Springs, Mo.) in 2019 but that game is no longer active. 
The Bronchos (5-4) own wins over Emporia State, 21-13, and Northwest Missouri State, 23-14, but are riding a two-game losing streak and 1-3 on the road this year. First-year head coach Adam Dorrel is 100-44 in his career after previous stops at Northwest (76-8) and FCS-member Abilene Christian, Texas (19-32). He led the Bearcats to the 2013, 2015 and 2016 national titles.
His current team is led by fifth-year junior quarterback Stephon Brown, previously at TCU and Appalachian State. The 6-5, 220-pound Brown is the team's leading rusher (323 yards) and passer (1,490). He's accounted for 16 touchdowns and is part of a young offense that includes junior center Layne Grantham, back Jaylen Cottrell (305 yards) and tight end Oscar Hammond (327 yards).
UCO is at 24 points per game, scoring 74% of the time it reaches the red zone. One reason for that success is sophomore kicker Nicky Quevedo who has made 10 of 12 field goals (5 of 6 between 40-49 yards). He made three field goals in last year's 37-22 loss to UNK. The Lopers ran for 366 yards in that game and got out to an early 14-0 lead.
Defensively, the 'Chos lead the MIAA with 12 interceptions for 109 return yards. Nine different players have a pick with UCO allowing 23 points and just 3.7 yards per carry. Their opponents do convert 42% of the time on third down and score 89% of the time they reach the red zone.
Safeties Dylan Buchheit (58 tackles), Johnathan Mosley (35 tackles, one INT) and Kobey Stephens (29 tackles, two INT's) lead the way with end Robert Fuentes at a team-best 9.0 tackles for loss. Finally, Stephens averages 22 yards on the kick return unit.
UNK, 1-4 all-time vs. UCO at Foster Field, aims to win on "Senior Day" for the second time in the Josh Lynn era (since 2017).
A couple of veterans should reach milestones this week as QB TJ Davis (Colorado Springs) needs just 58 yards to reach 1,000 for the season. The Harlon Hill Trophy candidate will join all-time leading rusher Mike Miller ('04) as the only Lopers to achieve that feat. Davis had 1,151 yards last fall and 1,034 in 2019.
He also could join fellow QB's Justin Coleman ('99) and Jake Spitzlberger ('11) as Lopers with 100 career TD's. Davis is up to 97 scores (53 rushing, 43 passing, one receiving); Coleman had 106 (99 passing, seven rushing) with Spitz at 118 (80 passing, 38 rushing).
Next, super senior Junior Gonzalez (Corning, Calif.) needs a single point to be the seventh kicker with 200 in a career. The four-year starter has 148 PAT's, second most in school history, and 17 made field goals. The last kicker to reach this mark was all-time leader Geoff Carnahan in 2008 (267 points).
UNK comes in still leading the MIAA in all rushing categories (260.0 ypg; 5.8 ypc; 25 TD's) as well as net punting (42.2) and fourth down conversions (9 for 11). The Lopers haven't allowed more than 53 points in any quarter but have tallied 99 in the first. Finally, the Blue & Gold has scored 81% of the time (29 of 36) it reaches the red zone.
2022 Fifth & Sixth Year Seniors Walking
1 Darius Swanson - Capt. S 6-3 200 R-Sr. Aurora, Colo.
4 Montrez Jackson RB 5-10 170 C-Sr. Trenton, Fla.
9 Sione Taufalele OLB 6-2 225 Sr. Santa Clara, Calif.
14 Jacey Nutter - Capt. ILB 6-1 220 C-Sr. Thedford, Neb.
19 Cody Nelson WR 6-1 190 R-Sr. Albion, Neb.
21 Garrett Meyer RB 5-10 190 C-Sr. Omaha, Neb.
23 Atoa Fox - Capt. OLB 6-2 215 Sr. San Diego, Calif.
25 Sethe Holt S 5-10 190 R-Sr. Chicago, Ill.
26 KeyShaun VanDyke OLB 6-3 215 R-Sr. Florissant, Mo.
32 Willie Fair OLB 6-1 235 Gr. Chula Vista, Calif.
43 Thomas Tews TE 6-2 240 C-Sr. Omaha, Neb.
64 Nate Bartling OG 6-4 295 C-Sr. Elm Creek, Neb.
65 Samuel Soto II OG 6-4 285 R-Sr. Anaheim, Calif.
70 Cole Young OT 6-3 285 R-Sr. Papillion, Neb.
78 Konner Klassen OL 6-4 330 R-Sr. Glencoe, Ill.
86 Johnny Collins WR 6-3 200 R-Jr. Chicago, Ill.
87 Junior Gonzalez K 6-0 220 C-Sr. Corning, Calif.
95 Baylor Hellmuth DE 6-4 265 C-Sr. Hershey, Neb.
