Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney football team begins a two-game road swing this Saturday (Nov. 2) with a trip to Washburn.

The game in Topeka kicks off at 1 p.m. as it's "Homecoming" for the Ichabods. Rain is in the forecast with temps in the high 50's/low 60's. Fans not in attendance can follow along via KRVN/The River (93.1/106.0 FM),  The MIAA Network or live stats.

UNK (4-4, 2-4) has won three straight, and four of the last five meetings, with the Ichabods (2-6, 2-5). However, those four wins have come by a combined total of 19 points. The Lopers lead the all-time series, 18-13, with WU having won seven of the 11 MIAA meetings.

Last year at Cope Stadium, UNK was up 27-7 with 9:35 left after a defensive score. The 'Bods recorded two late touchdowns with the Lopers securing the win after recovering an onside kick with 41 seconds remaining. WU out gained UNK by a 421-261 margin but were stopped three times on fourth down in the early going.

Washburn quarterback Sam Van Dyne was 30 of 45 for 378 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in the loss. He is one of four QB's to have played this year and that includes redshirt freshman QB Keller Hurla. He is the team's leading rusher (224 yards and four touchdowns) with Van Dyne currently at 185 passing yards per game and a team-best passing TD's. The offense has committed 21 turnovers (14 INT's and seven lost fumbles) but scores a TD 68% of the time it reaches the red zone.

Hometown product and 5-10 receiver Tre Richardson starred at Hutchinson (Kan.) C.C. last fall and is doing the same in the MIAA. Spending time at Division I Toledo in the spring, he's averaging 92 yards per game with eight touchdowns and coming off a 229-yard day at Central Missouri. Richardson also went over 100 yards against both Pitt State and Northwest Missouri. Last year at UNK, true freshman receiver D.J. Bell had a one-handed 54-yard scoring catch and went on to earn All-MIAA honors. He's now a starting corner but sophomore Maury Sullivan (five TD's) returns.  

Defensively the 'Bods have a solid 58% TD red zone rate (21 of 36) but opponents convert 45% of the time on third down. WU, with just four senior offensive or defensive starters, is paced by FS Jordan Finnesy (64 tackles, six PBU's) and LB L.J. Miner Jr. (64 tackles, 6.0 TFL's). Finally, the 'Bods have brought back an INT, punt and kickoff (Bell) for TD's.

UNK is looking for its fourth road win of the fall and to spoil "Homecoming" once again. The Lopers walked off Missouri Western, 24-23, on the Griffs big day. In 2018 at Yager Stadium, UNK walked off WU in the season finale, 17-16.

The Lopers enter week nine leading the conference in red zone offense (85%) and turnover margin (+1.50). UNK has scored in 17 of 20 red zone changes (14 TD's and three field goals) while the defense has garnered 14 INT's and recovered five fumbles. The 19 forced turnovers are the second most since the Lopers joined the MIAA in 2012 (20 in 2013; nine INT's and 11 fumbles).

Individually, back Isaiah Harris (Millard South) is up to 662 all-purpose yards and six TD's with QB Reagan Jones (Wichita) now at 56 career scores (28 rushing and passing). Having scored 42% of its 195 points in the second quarter, the offense has used a balanced attack as 15 different Lopers have a catch, 10 have carried the ball at least once with three having attempted a pass.

Veterans Jamere Jones (53) and Quillan Felton (51) continue to lead the team in tackles with Felton the MIAA leader in sack (7.0). He has 7.5 other TFl's with backer Parker Wise (Kearney) at 6.5 including 3.5 sacks. Jones is one of nine Lopers with at least one pick while backer David Lilly (Wahoo) has recovered three fumbles.

On special teams, back Zane Schawang (Waverly) has a healthy 14.6 punt return average with kickers Trey Prichard (Monument, Colo.) and Kyle Failing (Port Orchard, Wash.) a combined 4 for 5 on field goals and Prichard 25 for 25 on PAT's. The 80% success rate on FG's leads the MIAA.

The Blue & Gold is at Missouri Southern next Saturday (Nov. 9). The Lions (1-8, 0-7) are on a bye this weekend.