Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney football team finally has its fourth home game of the year when Central Oklahoma returns to Ron & Carol Cope Stadium this Saturday (Nov. 1).

The game kicks off at high noon with temperatures expected to be in the low 40's with a light breeze. Fans can listen to The River 93.1/106. FM, watch via the MIAA Network and News Channel Nebraska (check local listings) or follow along via live stats.

UCO (4-4, 4-2) scored 18 unanswered second half points to beat UNK (5-4, 3-4), 32-17, early last season at Foster Field. The Lopers seemingly had kept the momentum with a pick at their own goal line. Instead, they got tackled in the end zone for two points and then the 'Chos tacked on 16 more en route to a win and an 11-2 season. They reached the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs and won the MIAA regular season title. 

This fall, the 'Chos currently have the league's top rusher in William Mason (87.5 yards per game and four touchdowns), the league's top pass catcher in Ashton Schumann (86 receptions, 816 yards, five TD's) with junior and former SMU Mustang Jett Huff one of the league's top passers (256 ypg with 13 TD's). However, Huff missed two games due to injury and the team is 3-2 in games decided by 10 points or less. That includes a 28-21 home setback to in-state rival Northeastern State last Saturday night.

UCO owns a 27-24 win over current No. 9 Pittsburg State and throttled Emporia State, 56-22, two weeks ago. The offense has just four senior starters and is at 28 points and 461 yards per game. They are 23 of 31 in the red zone and have a line with two returning All-MIAA picks. Finally, all-league back Jaylen Cottrell forms a 1-2 punch with Mason while all-league tight end Dominique Dunn ranks second in catches.

Defensively, the 'Chos are paced by backers Jack Puckett (42 tackles, 9.5 TFL's) and Connor Johnson (49 tackles, 7.5 TFL's). The unit is allowing 28 points and 375 yards per week and has totaled 10 turnovers and 20 sacks. Opponents have had success on fourth down (50% conversion) and in the second quarter (75 points). Finally, UCO has seen seven different players have a pick and another two players recover a fumble. The special teams feature kicker Joseph Kim who made a pair of long field goals (45 and 51 yards) in a home win over Washburn.

UNK is 3-0 to date at home and looking to secure its fourth winning season since joining the MIAA in 2012 (not including a 2-0 COVID 2020 season).

The Loper defense continues to shine, having forced 21 turnovers, recording 22 sacks and limiting foes in the red zone (11 TD's in 27 chances). UNK is allowing an even 20.0 points and 325 yards per game and had allowed the fewest rushing scores (six) in the MIAA.

Safety CJ Kuehl (Indianola, Ia.) and backer Parker Wise (Kearney) are tied for the team-lead in tackles with 52 with corners Ife Current (Kennedale, Texas) and Ja'Mareion Gipson (Houston) at a combined seven interceptions and 11 pass breakups. Next, end Xavier Morrow (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) leads in both tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (4.0) with Wise tops in QB hurries (five) and second in TFL's (7.0). Finally, 10 different Lopers have recovered a fumble.

Offensively, UNK looks to get up and running this Saturday. The Lopers are second in the conference in rushing attempts (337/37.4 per game avg.) and fourth in rushing scores (16). Converting almost half the time on fourth down, the team also had 18 TD's in 24 red zone trips.

Quarterback Abram Scholting (Pierce) played the second half at Northwest Missouri last Saturday and is 27 of 48 for 245 yards this season. He's also rushed for 153 yards and three TD's. Redshirt freshman back Jahmez Ross (Omaha Westside) also has reached the end zone three times with junior back Stone Wilson (Dodge City, Kan.) emerging over the last month. Finally, veterans Jaden Jude (Athens, Ala.) and Zane Schawang (Waverly) lead on the outside. Jude has 36 catches for 469 yards and four scores with Schawang, out the last couple of games, at 17 receptions for 201 yards.  

UNK has a bye on Nov. 8 before finishing the 2025 year with a home game vs. Central Missouri (Nov. 15).