Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney football team returns home this Saturday to take on another nationally-ranked squad, this time being the No. 14/15 Emporia State Hornets.

The game kicks off at 2 p.m. from Foster Field with fans not in attendance can follow along via KRVN/The River (93.1/106.0 FM), KLPR 91.1 FM, The MIAA Network or live stats.

The 28th all-time battle between the Lopers (4-3) and Hornets (6-1) features two teams that are in a four-way tie for second in Division II in turnover margin (+1.57). UNK has forced 16 turnovers to date, while committing only five, with Emporia the nation's leader in interceptions (17). They also have four recovered fumbles and have
10 turnovers on offense.

Last year in Kansas UNK got out to a 10-0 early lead but committed four turnovers that helped E-State post a 39-17 win. The Lopers lead the all-time series, 14-13, but the Hornets have taken 12 of the last 15 meetings. In the MIAA era (since 2012), Emporia is averaging a healthy 38 points per game in the series. 

Veteran head coach Garin Higgins has 163 wins between ESU and Northwestern Oklahoma State. His pass-happy offense is guided this year by lefty Gunnar Gundy with redshirt senior Chase Ricke more than a capable backup. Gundy, transferring in from Oklahoma State, attempted 73 passes in a last second win vs. Missouri Western and is averaging 311 yards of total offense per game with 17 total touchdowns.

Senior Tyler Kahmann and sophomore Trenden Collins have combined for 97 catches, 1,167 yards and 12 TD's with senior Zion Jones a prep teammate of Loper QB Reagan Jones. He is the team's top kick returner and third leading receiver. Senior Billy Ross Jr. (45 ypg, three TD's) paces the ground game with right guard Sherman Deaton and right tackle Carlos Guzman returning All-MIAA picks.

Emporia is allowing just 19 points per game thanks to those 21 turnovers and has low conversion rates on both third (28%) and fourth (19%) downs. They've held five teams to 21 or fewer points with eight different Hornets having at least one pick. Strong safety Tyler Schultze (four) and corner Danarius Hollywood (three) have seven combined INT's with veteran backers Sage Sieperda and Caleb Mondi ranking 1-2 in tackles and also being leaders in TFL's and sacks. Finally, junior Caden Dodson is a rare breed as he kicks off, place kicks and punts.

UNK is coming off a 24-23 walk-off win at Missouri Western, its fourth game decided by 10 points or less this year. Emporia was on a bye last Saturday but also went down to the wire with the Griffons. Trailing 30-27 in overtime, Mo West went for it on 4th & 1 from the Hornet five-yard line and subsequently dropped a TD pass in the end zone.

The Lopers rallied from a 23-14 fourth quarter deficit in St. Joe as Jones finished with 338 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. Senior receiver Reggie Anderson (Gaithersburg, Md.) had catches of 28 and 75 yards down the stretch with the UNK "D" doing its normal thing in the red zone. The Griffs were picked off at the Loper 12-yard line, fumbled at the UNK six and had PAT's and field goals blocked. Since Jake Mandelko became special teams coordinator in 2023, the Lopers have blocked eight punts/field goals/PAT's.

Besides turnover margin, UNK also ranks 12th nationally in red zone defense (64%), 17th in rushing defense (85.0 ypg) and 40th in scoring defense (18.7). The Lopers also have a super 48% red zone TD rate (12 of 25). In 2023, that mark was 55% (26 for 47).

UNK has a two-game road swing coming up in November with trips to Washburn and Missouri Southern.