Todd Gottula

Game 3 Preview: 30th Meeting with the Ichabods

9/16/2022 10:02:00 AM

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney football team has another nationally-ranked opponent this week as the Lopers face the No. 26/18 Washburn Ichabods in Topeka.

The 30th all-time meeting between the two kicks off Saturday at 1 p.m. from Yager Stadium. Those not attendance can listen live (The River 93.1/106.9 KRVN FM), watch live (The MIAA Network) or follow along with live stats.

UNK (1-1), after a last second 35-25 setback to Pittsburg State last Thursday night, tumbled 17 spots to 28th in the most recent American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top 25 poll, the first time in 12 weeks the Blue & Gold isn't officially ranked. The Lopers then fell nine spots to 21st in the D2football.com poll.

Meanwhile, WU (2-0) moved into the D2football.com Top 25 and is the leader in "others receiving votes" in the AFCA rankings. Like the Lopers, the 'Bods reached the playoffs last fall, finishing up at 9-3.

Longtime head coach Craig Schurig has a lot back from a 2021 squad that beat Northwest Missouri State during the regular season. WU returns a plethora of offensive talent with the defense and special teams also led by upperclassmen.

UNK Release/Depth Chart & Roster

WU Release/Depth Chart & Roster

UNK will have its eyes on All-American receiver and return specialist James Letcher Jr. The 5-8, 175 pound "Super Senior" amassed 1,831 all-purpose yards last year and reached the end zone 12 times (10 receiving and two kick return). Back Taylon Peters, receivers Peter Afful and Collin Wilson and tight end Matthew Simmons all have solid career numbers with the line featuring five junior starters. Finally, sophomore Kellen Simoncic (6-3, 205 lbs.) is the new starter at quarterback and already has nine TD tosses.

The 'Bods defense has had to replace several 2021 All-MIAA picks but has gotten off to a good start to the tune of six forced turnovers and a 26% third down conversion rate. Senior inside linebacker Grant Bruner, from Gretna, has a team-best 29 tackles with noseguard Landen Urban and end Braden Rose returning all-league picks. Three seniors start on the back end including safety Channon Ross.

Anthony Orajekwe & Tell Spies

On special teams, Letcher Jr. returns both puns and kicks with freshman Jake Zeller and sophomore Kameron Lake handling the punting and kicking duties, respectively. Lake was a part-time starter last season.

UNK leads the all-time series by a 16-13 margin thanks to two wins in the last three meetings and 12 victories in the series' first 14 games. This may be the most exciting MIAA series since the Lopers joined the league in 2013. There has been a double OT contest (2016), a two-day game due to poor weather (2015), a last second field goal (2018), a 10-7 defensive struggle in the rain (2014) and last year's 28-24 Loper victory when the winning score game with 58 seconds left.

WU will certainly be eyeing QB TJ Davis (Colorado Springs) as the 2021 MIAA Offensive Player of the Year had a career-best 258 rushing and 166 passing yards in last year's game. The 2021 Harlon Hill Trophy Runner Up currently leads college football (NCAA's four divisions plus the NAIA) in rushing yards by a QB with 268. Davis needs just 204 more to become the third Loper to reach the lofty 3k mark.

The Loper "O" has also gotten 128 yards and two scores from redshirt freshman back Zane Schawang (Waverly) through the first two games with seven different players having a reception. Finally, UNK has scored 21 of its 52 points (40%) in the fourth quarter.

Defensively, inside linebackers Jimmy Harrison (Hobbs, NM) and Jacey Nutter (Thedford) rank 1-2 on the team in tackles with 14 and 13, respectively. Nutter had three tackles for loss against the Gorillas and his career tackle total of 169 ranks 35th in school history (tackles became a stat at UNK in 1990). On special teams, sophomore Kyle Failing (Port Orchard, Wash.) now has a solid 62.4 career kickoff average with senior co-captain Hunter Kraus (Sargent) at a super 43.0 average over the first two weeks.

UNK hosts Central Missouri (0-2) on Sept. 24 and Fort Hays State (0-2) on Oct. 1. The game against the Mules kicks at 1 p.m. with a night game (7 p.m.) set for the rival Tigers.

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