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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

0
Neb.-Kearney UNK 5-4 , 3-4
14
Winner Northwest Mo. St. NWM 7-1 , 6-0
Neb.-Kearney UNK
5-4 , 3-4
0
Final
14
Northwest Mo. St. NWM
7-1 , 6-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UNK Neb.-Kearney 0 0 0 0 0
NWM Northwest Mo. St. 0 7 0 7 14
Jack Johnson
Todd Gottula

Game Recap: Football |

#16 Northwest Wins Defensive Struggle, 14-0

Kearney, Neb. – The 16th-ranked Northwest Missouri State Bearcats picked off three passes and ran for 172 yards to down Nebraska-Kearney, 14-0, Saturday afternoon in Maryville.

The 'Cats (7-1, 6-0) win a seventh straight game and avenge a loss to the Lopers (5-4, 3-4) last year.

On a dreary fall "Homecoming" day, the two teams combined for seven turnovers (three fumbles and four interceptions). The Loper defense, with its back against the wall, stopped Northwest at the three-, 10- and 46-yard lines to start the day and it was a one-score game until early in the fourth quarter. However, a 13-play, 97-yard drive gave the 'Cats a 14-0 lead and then they ran off the final 6:42 off the clock. 

"This team has a lot of warriors and guys that play hard. I thought our defense had as good as performance as I've seen in my years as a coach, in a circumstance where we're on the road and against a really good team that's been hotter than fish grease ," said Loper head coach Ryan Held on the KRVN Radio post-game show. "They gave us every opportunity." 

Veteran quarterback Chris Ruhnke was 12 of 12 for 121 yards and ran twice for 17 yards. He guided the 97-yard drive with a couple of big completions none bigger than a 24-yarder to Maddix Morrison on 4th & 3 from the Loper 31-yard line. Sophomore back Teshaun Porter capped things with a seven-yard scoring scamper. Northwest's other TD drive covered 73 yards in six plays in the second quarter. A 15-yard personal foul call on the Lopers aided the drive. Additionally, redshirt freshman quarterback Zechariah Owens had a 21-yard run and a 33-yard completion. However, he also lost three fumbles on the day.

"We didn't take advantage of our opportunities on offense. Our punting game was elite, and Marty (Mormino) had an incredible game," said Held. "In the early going (after the three defensive stops), we were a little backed up. We eventually started to change the field position."  

UNK struggled against a Northwest defense that gave up just three points to Fort Hays State last Saturday. The Lopers tallied 111 yards over 49 plays; Northwest was at 364 yards on 73 plays. The 'Cats had run for nearly 800 yards the past two weeks but had to work much harder against a UNK defense that's among the best nationally vs. the run. 

The defense was paced by Texas junior corner Ja'Mareion Gipson (seven solo tackles, one pass break up), Kearney senior end Jack Johnson (seven tackles, forced fumble, two TFL's including a sack), Iowa senior safety CJ Kuehl (five tackles, one INT and one fumble recovery) and Lincoln sophomore LB Garret Hoefs (four tackles, forced fumble and fumble recovery). Finally, Mormino had a 46.5 average in eight attempts. 

The 'Cats got 65 rushing yards on 19 attempts from redshirt freshman back Quincy Torry with the two QB's going a combined 17 of 34 for 192 yards. Finally, Morris had six grabs for 65 yards.

"This one is going to sting. Last time we were here, they beat us 56-7. Before that, with a playoff team, it was worse. We had to win it in the fourth quarter," said Held. "We had a 30-yard pass play called back due to a penalty and we couldn't overcome that kind of play. We had a lot of third and managebles which is what we wanted."

UNK hosts Central Oklahoma next Saturday. The Bronchos (4-4, 34-2) fell Saturday night at home to in-state rival Northeastern State, 28-21. 


 
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Scoring Summary

Scoring Summary
Scoring Play Visiting Team Score Home Team Score
2nd Quarter UNK NWM
NWM
03:52 - NWM - Owens,Zechariah 3 yd run (Alwaely,Mo kick), 6 plays, 73 yards, TOP 03:42
0 7
4th Quarter UNK NWM
NWM
10:23 - NWM - Porter,Te'Shaun 7 yd run (Alwaely,Mo kick), 13 plays, 97 yards, TOP 06:35
0 14

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