Kearney, Neb. - Rain and wind are in the forecast for Nebraska Kearne's football game at Missouri Southern this Saturday (Oct. 18) in Joplin.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. Fans can listen to The River 93.1/106. FM, watch via the MIAA Network or follow along via live stats.

UNK (5-2, 3-2) hosted Emporia State for a second straight season and now returns to MSSU (2-4, 0-4) for another fall. The Lopers, minus two vacated wins, lead the all-time series by an 11-9 margin. The Green & Gold have taken the last two games with UNK having totaled 13 points in each loss.

Rain is expected in the area from 11 am.-6 p.m. with winds blowing 10-17 mph. Last year in Topeka, the Lopers slogged through a big storm to record a 14-13 win.

Last November UNK took the opening kickoff in Joplin and marched 82 yards in seven plays for a 7-0 lead. But it was all downhill from there as the Lions tallied 24 unanswered points, including a 79-yard punt return by junior receiver Ayden Robinson-Wayne. The Lopers had a chance to climb back into things early in the fourth but a fumble in the red zone ended the comeback hopes. MSSU thus capped "Senior Day" with a 24-13 win. 

This MSSU squad started the year 2-0 and has suffered three losses by seven points each. They go down swinging as, in each of those close setbacks, they scored in the final two minutes and made the opponent get a first down to earn the win.  

Returning All-MIAA picks Nathan Glades (2,432 career rushing yards), Draper Parker (1,183 career receiving yards) and Colton Bass (170 career tackles) play alongside true freshman quarterback Tillman Martin. Despite his youth, he averages 270 yards per game with 11 touchdowns and two on the ground. His line includes five upperclassmen starters with Parker leading a deep receiving corps. MSSU converts 40% of its third downs but has a 38% red zone TD rate. Thus, three different kickers have combined to make 7 of 13 field goals.

Bass leads a defense that gives up 32 points and 429 yards per game. The Lions have forced 10 turnovers with foes converting 45% on third down and 58% on fourth down. Backer Zach Bergmann (58) is one of the MIAA's leading tacklers with Bass having missed two games and reserve tackle David Va'a at a team-best 2.0 sacks.

UNK continues to be one of Division II's leaders in turnovers gained (17), interceptions (10), turnover margin (+1.29) and sacks (20). The Lopers have feasted on those turnovers, turning them into 80 points (11 TD's and a field goal). That tally includes pick sixes by corners Ife Current (Kennedale, Texas) and Ja'Mareion Gipson (Houston).

The defense also continues to be stingy in the red zone, posting a 40% TD rate. The Lopers have forced opponents to kick seven field goals while making three fourth down stops and getting a turnover. Finally, the unit has seen 12 different players have half a sack with 20 having a tackle for loss.

Offensively, junior receiver Jaden Jude (Athens, Ala.) is among the MIAA leaders in all three categories; catches (27), yards (359) and TD's (four). He became the first Loper in nearly three years to have two scoring grabs in a game when he reached the end zone last week vs. Missouri Western from 20 and 21 yards out.

With the inclement weather, the Loper run game will continue to be led by redshirt freshman Jahmez Ross (Omaha Westside). He's up to 312 yards and three scores on the year with junior Stone Wilson (Dodge City, Kan.) making his Loper debut last Saturday. They are joined by redshirt freshman Jett Turner (Bixby, Okla.) and h-backs Trey Kennedy (Kenesaw) and Mufasa Stallings (Magnolia, Miss.).

UNK heads to nationally-ranked Northwest Missouri next Saturday. The Bearcats (5-1, 4-0) host Hays this weekend.