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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Dae'Vonn Hall
Todd Gottula
6
Neb.-Kearney UNK 4-2 , 2-2
23
Winner Pittsburg St. PSU 4-2 , 3-1
Neb.-Kearney UNK
4-2 , 2-2
6
Final
23
Pittsburg St. PSU
4-2 , 3-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UNK Neb.-Kearney 0 0 0 6 6
PSU Pittsburg St. 7 3 6 7 23

Game Recap: Football |

UNK Falls in the Jungle by Seventeen

Kearney, Neb. – Redshirt junior back Zahmari Palode-Gary ran for 105 yards, and the No. 17 Pittsburg State defense was strong on third down to lift the Gorillas to a 23-6 win over No. 31 Nebraska Kearney Saturday afternoon in Kansas.

Pitt (4-2, 3-0) wins a fourth straight game while the Lopers fall to 4-2 (2-1).

"We frustrated. We felt like we had a really good week of practice, felt good about things. Every time we got some going offensively, we'd take a step back. (As a player caller) felt like I was running up a hill the whole game. You can't do that against a good team," said UNK head coach Ryan Held on the KRVN radio post-game show.

The Gorillas never trailed as they took the opening kickoff and marched 75 yards in 11 plays. UNK stopped Pitt on third down, but a penalty kept the drive alive, and the Gorillas took advantage, capping things with a 25-yard pass from grad transfer quarterback Jackson Berry to true freshman receiver Damien Long II.

Sophomore Austin Schimitt made a 27-yard field goal right before the break to make it 10-0; a defensive stop and a short punt gave the Gorillas great field position. UNK started the second half with its best drive of the game, but the Lopers misfired on 3rd & 2 and then didn't convert a 41-yard field goal. After going 1 for 11 on third down vs. Pitt last year, the Lopers were 1 of 12 of today.

"They lined up exactly how we thought they would. They mixed up things a little bit, but we just didn't make those plays. You get a penalty or if you get sacked, against that team it's just not going to be good," said Held.

The defense kept the Blue & Gold in it, limiting Pitt to two early second half field goals, and then a fumbled punt by the Gorillas gave UNK life. Redshirt senior wide receiver Zane Schawang (Waverly) recovered the loose ball in the end zone with 14:06 left to play. While the defense got a fourth down stop on the next Pitt drive, the Gorilla defense responded with a stop of its own to turn the momentumn once again. The Pitt offense then took five minutes off the clock with a "pick six" on 4th and 10 completing the scoring.

"Defensively played well enough to win. Good a turnover on special teams which was big for a touchdown. There were some bright spots, but we just couldn't get it going offensively to give ourselves a chance. The crazy thing is that we were still in the game in the fourth quarter," said Held.

A Missouri signee out of high school, Palode-Gary reached his total in just 14 carries with a long effort of 36 yards. Southern Utah transfer quarterback Jackson Berry was 24 of 31 for 256 yards, one score, one interception and completed passes to eight teammates. Finally, All-MIAA receiver Kuron Parchmon totaled 83 yards on eight grabs.

UNK saw QB Daron Bryden (Enfield, Conn.) complete 12 passes for 93 yards with redshirt freshman back Jahmez Ross (Omaha Westside) have 13 carries for 50 yards. Three receivers had at least one catch of 14 yards including Plattsmouth redshirt freshman Dae'vonn Hall.

"You have to take advantage of your scoring opportunities and obviously we didn't," said Held.

Defensively, senior end Xavier Morrow (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) had a team-best nine stops with junior corner Ife Current (Kennedale, Texas) at eight including a pass breakup. Finally, interior lineman Jack Nickolisen (Omaha) and James Murphy (Placerville, Calif.) combined for 12 stops.

UNK hosts Missouri Western next Saturday as part of Homecoming festivities.
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