Game 4 Preview: Lopers Look to Slow Down #11/12 UCM, Harlon Hill Trophy Winner

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney football team faces its third straight nationally-ranked opponent this Saturday when it travels to No. 11/12 Central Missouri.

The game kicks off at 1 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. UCM leads the all-time series 10-4 with UNK making a second straight trip to Warrensburg.

Led by former Loper head coach Josh Lamberson, the Mules feature 2023 Harlon Hill Trophy winner Zach Zebrowski (6-2, 208 lbs.). The transfer quarterback from Southern Illinois amassed 61 touchdowns and 5,157 passing yards last season in directing UCM to an 11-2 mark and a spot in the Division II playoffs. This year, he's averaging 430 yards per game with 13 TD's to two interceptions. He also has rushed for 101 yards and a score and been sacked nine times.

UCM has non-con wins over Northeastern State, 63-21, and Davenport (Mich), 32-31, while falling at Central Oklahoma, 57-40. Last September in Warrensburg, the Mules turned three interceptions and two missed field goals into 28 points to beat UNK, 38-14. The score was 17-7 at the half before the mistakes started to pile up with
UCM out gaining the Lopers by a 453-422 margin. Parker Wise

Besides Zebrowski, veteran receiver Jack Pospisil is back and is one of 10 Mules to have at least one TD catch. Veteran Marcellous Hawkins is back after running for over 1,000 yards in 2023 with the line led by five upperclassmen starters. The defense includes 2023 All-MIAA picks Joshua Bean (end), Weston King (nose guard), Noah Blair (free safety) and Cale Miller (linebacker). They are giviing up 36 points and 474 yards per game but have allowed only seven first quarter points.

UNK is looking for its second road win of the season after knocking off Chadron State, 18-6, back in August. The Lopers have two wins in Warrensburg in the MIAA era (2012-present) and still rank among the D2 leaders in several defensive categories. They are also tied for the D2 lead in turnover margin (+3.00) with Charleston, W.V. That number includes seven INT's and two fumbles.

Safety Jamere Jones (Maryland) and corner Kendall Brewer (Kansas City) have two picks apiece with eight different Lopers have at least one pass break up. Next, linebacker David Lilly (Wahoo) has two fumble recoveries with end Quillan Felton (Lithonia, Ga.) creating havoc up front; seven tackles for loss (three sacks), three QB hurries and a team-best 25 tackles.

On the other side, quarterback Reagan Jones (Wichita) is up to 607 yards of total offense with seven TD's (three rushing and four passing). He's completed passes to 10 different teammates with fellow newcomer Isaiah Harris (Millard South) the leading rusher to date (184 yards). Finally, redshirt freshman place kicker Trey Prichard (Monument, Colo.) has booted field goals of 25 and 39 yards, gone 6 of 6 on PAT's and converted a two-point conversion.

The Lopers remain on the road next Saturday (Oct. 5) to face Southwest Minnesota State. The Mustangs (0-3) host Minnesota-Duluth this weekend.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Quillan Felton: DL; 6' 4"; Senior

#1 Jamere Jones: S; 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior

#34 David Lilly: LB; 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior

#7 Reagan Jones: QB; 6' 1"; Graduate Student

#22 Isaiah Harris: RB; 5' 8"; Junior

#11 Trey Prichard: K; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#10 Kendall Brewer: CB; 5' 11"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#4 Quillan Felton
: 6' 4"; Senior
: DL

#1 Jamere Jones
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior
: S

#34 David Lilly
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior
: LB

#7 Reagan Jones
: 6' 1"; Graduate Student
: QB

#22 Isaiah Harris
: 5' 8"; Junior
: RB

#11 Trey Prichard
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: K

#10 Kendall Brewer
: 5' 11"; Senior
: CB