Skip To Main Content

University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Bailey Torres
Todd Gottula
17
Neb.-Kearney UNK 2-5 , 2-5
31
Winner Fort Hays St. FHSU 5-2 , 4-2
Neb.-Kearney UNK
2-5 , 2-5
17
Final
31
Fort Hays St. FHSU
5-2 , 4-2
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UNK Neb.-Kearney 0 10 0 7 17
FHSU Fort Hays St. 10 7 14 0 31

Next Game:

Missouri Western

10/21/2023 | 12 p.m.

NCN

The River 93.1/106.9 KRVN FM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Oct. 21 (Sat) / 12 p.m.
 Missouri Western
History

Game Recap: Football |

Fast Start Helps Tigers Win Rivalry Game

Kearney, Neb. – Junior running back Shane Watts ran for 162 yards and a score and sophomore quarterback Jack Dawson threw three touchdown passes to help Fort Hays State defeat Nebraska Kearney, 31-17, Saturday afternoon in Kansas.

This was the 69th all-time meeting between the longtime two rivals. The series dates back 97 years with UNK still holding a 35-33-1 advantage.

With a 65-yard pitch and catch to junior receiver AJ McPhee (Belle Grade, Fla.) in the second quarter, graduate quarterback TJ Davis (Colorado Springs) became third Loper with 10,000 yards of total offense. The others are QB's Justin Coleman (10,646) and Jake Spitzlberger (11,563) with Davis now at 10,055 yards (6,008 passing, 4,046 rushing and one receiving). TJ Davis

On a blustery day, UNK lost the coin toss and had to go against a hefty wind. That didn't go well to the tune of a 17-0 deficit after 15 minutes. The defense did bow up in the red zone to hold the Tigers (5-2, 4-2) to a field goal but Hays first three drives started at the Loper 33 and at their own 44- and 45-yard lines.

"Very disappointed when you look at the stats. It all starts on the opening kickoff when you've got to fair catch it. Instead, we try and return it, get a holding call and start at the six-yard line into the wind," said Loper head coach Ryan Held. "We need the ball at the 25-yard line as field position is key."

UNK trailed just 17-10 at the half as a six-play, 62-yard drive was capped by a 26-yard field goal from junior Kyle Failing (Port Orchard, Wash.). Super senior corner Armani Webster (Chicago) then forced a fumble two plays later with junior linemen Stephen Matina (Lansing, Kan.) pouncing on the ball at the Hays 32-yard line.

After one third down conversion, Davis got another as he hit junior receiver Reggie Anderson (Gaithersburg, Md.) for a five-yard score on 3rd & Goal with just three minutes left in the half.

Sophomore safety CJ Kuehl (Indianola, Ia.) picked off Dawson to start the second half, but UNK went three and out on its next possession. The Tigers responded with a quick 56-yard drive that ended with a 28-yard scoring rush by Watt. He came in averaging 6.5 yards per carry and 39.0 yards per game.

"We stop them and then dialed up a fake option play with a tight end right down the middle of the field.  We ended up getting pressure and getting sacked," said Held. "That could've made it 17-17 and then we turn it over late in the quarter. We just can't overcome plays like that."

The Tigers then pushed their lead to three scores when Dawson threw a 26-yard scoring strike to junior receiver Jayden Horace on 4th & 9. That score came with just three minutes left in the third quarter. Junior backer Makel Williams then picked off Davis at the Tiger 17-yard line a few minutes later.

True freshman corner Keon Washington (Orange, Calif.) had an INT in the fourth quarter that led to a 12-yard TD toss from Davis to senior receiver Bailey Torres (Cerritos, Calif). Later, junior end Quillan Felton (Lithonia, Gal.) forced a fumble at the Hays 10-yard line with junior backer Devin Guggia (Santa Maria, Calif.) on the recovery.

"There was some good stuff today, like Keon's interception, but seven first downs isn't close to enough. They are a good defense but they didn't do anything we weren't prepared for," said Held.

Hays out gained UNK by a 412-165 margin while running 24 more plays. They were just 2 of 10 on third down but 2 of 2 on fourth down and had seven tackles for loss including four sacks. Watt reached his season-best total on 21 carries with Dawson going 21 of 32 for 177 yards. Tackle Parrish Terry (eight stops, two TFL's) paced the D.

Davis went 7 of 15 for 91 yards and completed passes to seven different teammates. Waverly sophomore back Zane Schawang had a 31-yard run as part of a 45-yard day with senior safety Tre O'Guinn (Peoria, Ariz) recording nine tackles. Finally, linebackers Zach Schlager (McCook) and Joko Willis (LaGrange, Ga.) had seven stops a piece.

"We had way too many penalties today (nine for 72 yards) and they come at inopportune times," said Held.

UNK hosts Missouri Western State next Saturday at high noon. The Griffons (6-2) fell to rival Northwest Missouri State today at home, 27-23.
 
 
 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

TJ Davis

#2 TJ Davis

QB
6' 3"
Graduate Student
Kyle Failing

#96 Kyle Failing

K
6' 2"
Junior
CJ Kuehl

#45 CJ Kuehl

DB
6' 1"
Redshirt Sophomore
AJ McPhee

#14 AJ McPhee

WR
5' 10"
Junior
Tre O

#22 Tre O'Guinn

DB
6' 0"
Redshirt Fifth Year
Zane Schawang

#35 Zane Schawang

RB
5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
Zach Schlager

#8 Zach Schlager

LB
6' 1"
Graduate Student
Bailey Torres

#16 Bailey Torres

WR
5' 10"
Senior
Armani Webster

#18 Armani Webster

DB
6' 1"
Redshirt Fifth Year
Stephen Matina

#99 Stephen Matina

DL
6' 5"
Junior

Players Mentioned

TJ Davis

#2 TJ Davis

6' 3"
Graduate Student
QB
Kyle Failing

#96 Kyle Failing

6' 2"
Junior
K
CJ Kuehl

#45 CJ Kuehl

6' 1"
Redshirt Sophomore
DB
AJ McPhee

#14 AJ McPhee

5' 10"
Junior
WR
Tre O

#22 Tre O'Guinn

6' 0"
Redshirt Fifth Year
DB
Zane Schawang

#35 Zane Schawang

5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
RB
Zach Schlager

#8 Zach Schlager

6' 1"
Graduate Student
LB
Bailey Torres

#16 Bailey Torres

5' 10"
Senior
WR
Armani Webster

#18 Armani Webster

6' 1"
Redshirt Fifth Year
DB
Stephen Matina

#99 Stephen Matina

6' 5"
Junior
DL