Game 5 Preview: Lopers Return to Topeka Again

9/26/2025 11:30:00 AM

Kearney, Neb. – For a second straight fall the Nebraska Kearney football team travels to Topeka to take on the Washburn Ichabods.

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

The Lopers (3-1) and WU (1-3) have met 32 times previously with UNK leading the series by a 17-13 margin (two Kearney wins vacated). Last year on a very rainy afternoon, the Blue & Gold scored 14 fourth quarter points and made a late stand at midfield to win, 14-13.

Weather will be much better Saturday with the 'Bods now led by first-year coach Zach Watkins. A former WU All-American linebacker and long-time defensive coordinator at the school, he takes over for Craig Schurig who led the program for 22 seasons.

Washburn started 2025 with a 20-17 win over Truman (Mo.) State and then fell to nationally-ranked Central Oklahoma, Colorado School of Mines and Northwest Missouri State. Linebacker L.J. Miner Jr., safety Jordan Finnesy and center Jakobe Harmon are returning All-MIAA with the 'Bods looking to beat UNK for the first time since 2019. Zane Schawang

Graduate transfer Justin Lewis (FCS-Merrimack, Mass.) and sophomore Keller Hurla have both seen action at quarterback with Topeka native Ky Thomas in the backfield. He ran for 1,535 yards and six touchdowns in previously playing at Minnesota, Kansas and Kent (Ohio) State. On the perimeter is junior D.J. Bell who also is one of MIAA's top kick and punt returners. Finally, junior Chase Allen-Jackman already has four receiving TD's.

Defensively, WU has a 54% red zone TD rate and has a league-best 28% third down percentage. Linebacker J.C. Heim (59) and Miner Jr. (48) rank 1-2 in tackles with FS Kamble Haverkamp first in tackles for loss (five). Finally, junior Aidan Battle booted a 51-yard field goal in the win over Truman.

UNK enters week five ranked nationally in sacks (15), interceptions (five), turnovers gained (eight) and rush defense (98.0 ypg). Additionally, redshirt back Isaiah Harris (Millard South) is up to fourth in D2 in rushing ypg (151.5) and already has reached the end zone six times. Last year at WU, he ran a career-best 35 times for 147 yards and a score.

The offense leads the MIAA in rushing scores (13) and rushing attempts (164/41.0 per game) while ranking third in scoring (27.5) and red zone rate (80%). Finally, the Lopers have best two quarters have been the fourth (45 points) and second (34 points). On defense, four different players have picked off a pass and four Lopers have a fumble recovery. That includes end Xavier Morrow (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) who pounced on a loose ball at the Loper 14-yard line last Saturday vs. Emporia State. Sophomore backer Caden McGruder (Gardendale, Ala.) jarred the ball loose with a sack and the turnover led to a TD and a 34-20 UNK lead. To date, the team has turned its eight turnovers into 42 points. The two TO's UNK gained where it didn't score came at the end of the Wayne and ESU games.

UNK stays on the road next Saturday (Oct. 4) at it visits nationally-ranked Pittsburg State. The Gorillas (2-2) visits the Hornets (1-2) this weekend.

Print Friendly Version