Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney football team heads to Missouri Western State this Saturday (Oct. 19), looking for its third straight win in St. Joseph.

The game kicks off at 2 p.m. as its "Homecoming" for MWSU. Fans not in attendance can follow along via KRVN/The River (93.1/106.0 FM), The MIAA Network or live stats.

Mo West (3-4, 2-4) and UNK met every fall between 1970-88 as they were members of the Centeral States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC). The Lopers have a 20-13 series lead with the average margin of victory in the 33 games being a hefty 17 points. 

That was not the case last year as UNK (3-3, 1-3) led 17-7 going into the fourth quarter before the Griffons rallied for 20-17 win. With the game tied, it appeared Mo West fumbled at its own 34-yard line with about 2:25 left. However, a video review overturned the call on the field and, seven plays later, Cody Watson hit a walk-off 31-yard field goal as time expired.

This year, Mo West has a defense that has recorded a MIAA-best 20 sacks and an offense that has started three different quarterbacks. Last Saturday in Warrensburg, junior college transfer Branden Berwald threw for 404 yards and four touchdowns, as well as running for 77 yards, in a 38-28 MWSU victory. 

League rushing leader and fifth-year running back Brandon Hall (111.4 yards per game) hasn't played since September 21 with slot receivers Jonas Bennett (43 recep., 576 yds., two TD's) and Tyler Carey (28 recep., 429 yds., six TD's) forming a 1-2 punch. The line includes four sophomore starters. Defensively, six different players have had at least two sacks led by senior end Garrett Watson (4.5), senior backer Jaden Brown (3.0) and reserve end Marvin Gant (2.5). Mo West had 5.0 sack games vs. both Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State. On special teams, Watson earned 2023 first-team All-MIAA honors and has made 9 of 12 field goals and 12 of 16 PAT's.

Winning at Spratt Stadium in 2019 (49-21) and 2022 (35-14), the Lopers enter the weekend tied for second in Division II in turnover margin (+1.67). UNK also is tied for 16th in rush defense (81.2 ypg) and 32nd in scoring (18.0 ppg).

The Loper "D" has allowed just 12 third quarter points and posts a super 45% red zone TD rate. In 2023, that rate was 55%. The 11 misses by opponents this fall are three interceptions, three made field goals, two missed field goals, two turnovers on downs and an end of half play. Individually, end Quillan Felton (40) and safety Jamere Jones (39) lead in tackles with 17 different players having a tackle for loss.

Offensively, QB Reagan Jones (Wichita) fittingly returns for Homecoming as he spent 4.5 years in St. Joe. Through five games this fall he has 995 yards of total offense with 11 TD's (three rushing and eight passing). UNK has scored nearly half of its 136 points in the second quarter with 15 players having at least one catch and 10 different Lopers carrying the ball.

UNK returns home next weekend to face No. 16/17 Emporia State. The Hornets (6-1, 4-1) are on a bye this weekend.