Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney football team looks to win another road game when it travels to Missouri Southern State this Saturday (Nov. 9). 

Kickoff in Joplin is set for 2 p.m. with fans not in attendance being able to follow along via KRVN/The River (93.1/106.0 FM), The MIAA Network or live stats.

UNK (5-4, 4-3) is aiming to finish 5-1 in road games this fall and has had success at Fred G. Hughes Stadium over the years. The Lopers have won three straight in Joplin to improve to 8-2 all-time against the Lions (1-8, 0-7) on their home turf. UNK leads the series by a 13-8 margin with the teams meeting every fall between 1977-88.

Last fall the Lions stopped a three-game losing streak to the Lopers by winning at Cope Stadium, 18-13. MSSU ran 20 more plays than the Lopers, were 7 of 15 on third down and recorded three sacks. UNK had won the previous five meetings by an average score of 32-8. 

Quarterback Luke Sampson is back as the starter and is up to 5,344 career passing yards with 44 touchdowns. He played well last year in Kearney (18 of 28, 174 yards, one TD & not INT's) and is 231 yards per game this fall with 14 scoring tosses. Sampson directs an offense that leads the MIAA in both time of possession (33:07) and red zone rate (85%) and are solid on third down (44%) as well. However, MSSU has just 50 first half points on the year and averages only 2.8 yards per carry.

Sampson's favorite targets are junior receiver Draper Parker (50 recep., 585 yards, three TD's) and tight end Dayne Herl (11 recep., 185 yards, one TD). The Lions second leading receiver, senior TE Deontay Campbell, hasn't played in the last two weeks but has three TD's and 236 yards. Finally, two running backs have combined for four TD's and 664 yards with the line featuring three senior starters.

MSSU has only two senior defensive starters on a unit that allows 42 points and 454 yards per game. Opponents average 5.5 yards per carry, convert 53% of the time on third down and have tallied 122 first quarter points (13.5 per game). The Lions have forced 12 turnovers and recorded 10 sacks with junior backer Colton Bass leading the way. He has team-highs in tackles (68), pass break ups (three), interceptions (two) while being tied for first in tackles for loss (3.5). Finally, Bass has a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

On special teams, junior Drake Reese is 9 of 13 on field goal with a long effort of 44 yards. He made two field goals against both Missouri Western and Northeastern State but has seen three of his attempts blocked. Next, sophomore Mitchell Cory has a solid 42-yard punt average covering 53 attempts (5.8 per game). He had 15 efforts over 50 yards and one attempt blocked. Finally, Parker is the top kick returner (20.1 avg.).

UNK hopes to add to its "block party" as it features two swatted field goals and three PAT's this year after getting to two punts, two PAT's and a field goal in 2023. Not surprisingly, ends Quillan Felton (Lithonia, Ga.) and Josh Davies-Balogun (Richmond, Texas) and receiver Tavis Maloy (Douglasville, Ga.) have all used their height and length to get to kicks. Lineman Wayne Tei-Kirby (Pocatello, Idaho) and linebacker David Lilly (Wahoo) were credited with the other blocks.

Offensively, junior back Isaiah Harris (Millard South) has ran for 281 yards and four TD's over the last two weeks. His 35 carries at Washburn last Saturday were the most by a Loper back in seven years and he's now up to four 100-yard days this season. Finally, the former 'Husker is third in the MIAA in yards per game (74.0) and rushing scores (seven) while being second in carries (132).

The defense has held six foes to 17 or fewer points and thus UNK is tied for eighth in Division II in turnover margin (+1.22), ninth in rushing (80 ypg) and 23rd in the red zone (69%). The Lopers are also first in the league in yards per carry at 2.5. Safety Jamere Jones (57), Felton (56) and Lilly (50) rank 1-2-3 in tackles with Felton first in tackles for loss (15.5) and sacks (7.0) and QB hurries (five). End Nate Reicks holds the UNK season sack record (9.5/2008); note defensive stats began in 1990.

The Lopers finish up the regular season next Saturday (Nov. 16) against 30th-ranked Fort Hays State. The Tigers (7-3, 5-3) are off this week, the third team in the last four weeks to have a bye prior to playing UNK.