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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

TJ Whaley
Todd Gottula
24
Central Oklahoma UCO 4-5 , 4-3
35
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNKFB 6-4 , 4-4
Central Oklahoma UCO
4-5 , 4-3
24
Final
35
Neb.-Kearney UNKFB
6-4 , 4-4
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UCO Central Oklahoma 7 10 0 7 24
UNKFB Neb.-Kearney 0 7 21 7 35

Game Recap: Football |

Lopers Have Biggest Rally in 15 Years to Down the 'Chos, 35-24

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney football team recorded its biggest comeback in 15 years after getting four rushing touchdowns from junior back Stone Wilson, recording five sacks and having three takeaways in a 35-24 decision over Central Oklahoma Saturday afternoon at Foster Field.

The Lopers (6-4, 4-4) secure their fourth winning season since joining the MIAA in 2012 (excluding the 2-0 COVID season of 2020) while the Bronchos slip to 4-5 (4-3).

Things didn't look promising as the 'Chos led 17-0 midway through the second quarter. The deficit could've been greater as the defense stopped UCO at the Loper 34 and 41-yard lines to start the day. Offensively, UNK first four drives included two turnovers, and a 38-yard missed field goal. One of the turnovers was a pick in the 'Chos end zone. 
Stone Wilson
RB Stone Wilson


"What a big win for this program. It secures a winning season, which there haven't been many around here since we joined the MIAA, and gives us a chance at seven," said UNK head coach Ryan Held. "I'm so proud of our guys for keep fighting."

The comeback started after that INT as the defense forced a three-and-out and the offense got the ball in UCO territory. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Abram Scholting (Pierce) ran 34 yards on 3rd & 7 and that set up a four-yard scoring scamper by Wilson (Dodge City, Kan.). UNK almost made a 17-14 right before half as defensive end Koren Conrad (Kearney Catholic) sacked Jett Huff with the loose ball bouncing forward and away from Loper defenders. UCO recovered it at its own 17-yard line and went into halftime.

"We missed a chance at a touchdown (in the first half) but I felt like we had them dialed up pretty good. We knew we had to be physical in the game, and we kept just staying the course. I knew our defense needed to get us some stuff and, obviously, the opening kickoff was huge," said Held.

The ball did take a fortuitous bounce to start the second half as true freshman kicker Solomon Wiens (Kearney Catholic) placed the ball at the 10-yard line. Instead of bouncing back to the 'Chos returner at the five, it went forward where linebacker Garret Hoefs (Lincoln Lutheran) was there for the recovery. After a pass interference call wiped out a UCO pick in the end zone, Wilson ran for a two-yard score.

UNK moved the ball to midfield on its next drive with junior Marty Mormino (Omaha Westside) dropping a punt to the 'Chos eight. That directly led to end Weston Heinemann (Bennington) picking off Huff on second down. On the play, the ball slipped out of Huff's hand as it was moving forward with Heineman diving and being in the right place at the right time. Wilson ran seven yards over the next three plays for a 21-17 lead.

"That's the thing about football; it's such a momentum thing. They had it and were probably feeling good and then it goes just like that," said Held. "That's why they put 60-minutes on the clock. You just have to keep playing because these games are so long with two minute warnings and media timeouts."

 
Weston Heinemann
DE Weston Heinemann with a rare INT
At the end of the third quarter, facing 3rd & 12 from the 'Chos 35-yard line, Scholting hit redshirt freshman Dae'vonn Hall (Bellevue West) for a 28-17 advantage. A scrambling Hall hit a diving Hall in the front corner of the end zone near the pylon. However, UCO responded with a run-oriented drive (12 plays, 73-yards) to make it a 28-24 with 10:31 left.

UNK got a PI call on 3rd & 3 but faced a 3rd & 9 from the UCO 45-yard line after committing its own infraction. That's when Wilson sealed it, running untouched for the game's last score. The defense then recorded a fourth down stop at its 25-yard line and then corner Ja'Mareion Gipson (Houston) had his fourth pick of the year with less than a minute left. He and junior Ife Current (Kennedale, Texas) are now tied for the INT lead in the MIAA.

"A lot of times, they think we're just going to line up and throw the ball (on Wilson's third down run) there. Jahmez had a big run on third down earlier and against Emporia, Isaiah (Harris) ripped one for 75 yards," said Held. "Against us, we can run the football, and you better defend us on any down and distance"

UNK trailed Western New Mexico 17-0 back in 2010 before rallying for a 56-35 victory. Today, out gained UCO by a 399-379 margin, was 7 of 14 on third down and held the ball for five more minutes. And while the 'Chos ran for 162 yards, nearly a quarter of that total (40 yards) came on the game's first scoring play.

Wilson (17 carries, 100 yards), Scholting (16 carries, 61 yards) and Omaha redshirt freshman back Jahmez Ross (16 carries, 82 yards) powered the ground game. Wilson's four scores are one off the school-record, set by Mike Lodice in 1995. Back in September, Isaiah Harris (Millard South) had four rushing TD's in a win over Emporia State.
CJ Kuehl
S CJ Kuehl


Next, Scholting was 9 of 21 for 162 yards and completed passes to six teammates. That included Waverly senior Zane Schawang (two recep., 61 yds.) and Hall (two recep., 51 yds.). Finally, Mormino had another productive effort (44.2 avg., long of 51 yards).

UCO was paced by third string back Dev Matthews (eight carries, 94 yards) with Huff 17 of 30 for 217 yards. The MIAA's leading receiver, Ashton Schumann, was limited to five catches for 43 yards and the MIAA's top rusher, William Mason, was held to 24 yards on 10 totes.

Redshirt junior backer Parker Wise (Kearney) had a team-best nine tackles, including 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup. Next, redshirt senior safety CJ Kuehl (Indianola, Ia.) had seven tackles and a big PBU with redshirt sophomore safety Saieed Hasan (Peoria, Ariz.) had seven tackles as well. Finally, Heinemann added four tackles and a half sack to his unlikely pick.

"The first nine games I decided I to be in the press box. I felt like it was time to come back down on the field. That's what was needed, not that was the difference in the game. The players must execute," said Held. "Hats off to CJ and the defense. Those guys have been playing well all year. They've kept us in games, and I know maybe they've been frustrated the last two weeks. But stick with us and we'll figure it out. We did today."

UNK is off Nov. 8 before hosting Central Missouri on Nov. 15. The Mules (4-5, 4-3) won at Fort Hays State today, 28-24, and host No. 9 Pittsburg State next weekend.
 
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