"> Gorillas Use Big Second Half to Win 34-27 in OT - University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics
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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Weston Heineman & Timarcus Grayson
Todd Gottula
34
Winner Pittsburg State PSU 1-4 , 1-2
27
Neb.-Kearney LOPERS 0-5 , 0-3
Winner
Pittsburg State PSU
1-4 , 1-2
34
Final
27
Neb.-Kearney LOPERS
0-5 , 0-3
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT F
PSU Pittsburg State 3 0 7 17 7 34
LOPERS Neb.-Kearney 0 24 3 0 0 27

Game Recap: Football |

Gorillas Use Big Second Half to Win 34-27 in OT

Kearney, Neb. – The Pittsburg State Gorillas scored 31 points after halftime to rally past Nebraska Kearney, 34-27 in overtime, Saturday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium.

The Gorillas (1-4, 1-2) record a 10th straight win at Foster Field in dramatic fashion while the Lopers (0-5, 0-3) have now suffered four losses by a combined 21 points.

A Homecoming crowd of 4,211 were all smiling at the break as UNK scored 24 unanswered points. A 65-yard run from graduate back Isaiah Harris (Millard South) started the barrage and then he drove in from three yards out with 10 seconds left in the half to make it 24-3.

"At halftime I told the team we have to play for 60 minutes. I said they are going to come back rejuvenated; this game wasn't over; it's never over in the MIAA. We didn't play great defense in the second half," said Loper head coach Ryan Held. "Offensively, there were times in the first quarter we were sputtering but we did some good things there for a while."Loper Defense 2026

However, Pitt had touchdown drives of 75, 75, and 67 drives, and a 25-yard field goal drive with 2:43 left that knotted things up at 27. UNK moved the ball a bit in the second half, going 46 and 42 yards, respectively. The first ended with a 47-yard field goal from sophomore Kaden Kiernan (Kansas City) with the second being a 51-yard effort from Kiernan falling short.

UNK had a chance to win the game in regulation, but a drive stalled at its own 46-yard line. In overtime, Pitt used three runs from back Diego Cearns and an eight-yard completion from sophomore quarterback Bobby Bacon to senior receiver Kuron Parchmon to complete the scoring. A 12-yard QB scramble from Ziggy Harper (Belle Glade, Fla.) allowed the Lopers to get a first down, but Pitt held on the next four plays, getting a stop on 4th & 9 to send UNK to a 1-7 all-time mark in OT games.

"Statistically it was even, and we didn't turn the ball over. At the end of the day, we had the lead at halftime, and you must play for 60 minutes," said Held. "Our defense definitely wasn't up to the standard for what we and they expect. Pitt just made some plays, and killed us with time of possession in the second half, but when you rush for 288 yards, no turnovers, and lose; that's maddening."

Bacon finished 23 of 35 for 232 yards and two TD's with Parchmon (75 yards) and fellow All-MIAA receiver Greyson Holbert (65 yards) both catching seven balls. All-league tight end Luke Niggemman caught a five-yard scoring pass to start the fourth that tipped off the hands of teammate and receiver T.J. Starks.

Loper Football 2026Next, Cearns got going in the second half and had 20 carries for 79 yards with Bacon scrambling seven times for 19 yards. He was sacked twice but didn't throw an interception; Pitt came in with a Division II-leading 12 picks.

UNK carried the ball 47 times for 288 yards and three scores led by Harris (13 carries, 87 yards), Sargent sophomore Quincey Ryker (12 carries, 85 yards) and Kansas true freshman Calin Arndt (13 carries, 54 yards). Next, Harper (Belle Glade, Fla.) – who was a late addition to the roster during fall camp – ran eight times for 54 yards and a score. In the air he was 12 of 18 for 50 yards.

"I thought our backs ran hard, up front we did a really nice job. Ziggy, for his first start, did a good job," said Held. "I knew our guys would come out and play hard and that's exactly what they did. But you've got to finish and it's unfortunate we didn't".

Freshman receiver Canon Allen had four grabs with Keirnan booting a 34-yard field goal in the first half and junior Marty Mormino (Omaha Westside) having two of his punts land inside the Gorilla 20-yard line.

Pitt out gained UNK by a 352-338 margin with each team overcoming their season-long third down issues: 9 of 16 for the Gorillas and 6 of 16 for the Lopers. Pitt also scored four TD's in five red zone trips.

Defensively, junior corer Marc Gouldsby Jr. (Tulsa) had a team-high nine tackles with sophomore safety Gunnar Lym (Gretna) and senior backer Parker Wise (Kearney) at eight apiece. Finally, end Weston Heinemann (Bennington) and Koren Conrad (Kearney) each had 10-yard sacks.

"Our guys played with passion; they played with enthusiasm. We did a lot of good things. but we have to learn how to finish," said Held. "We got comfortable in the second half and played not to lose."

UNK heads to Missouri Western next Saturday night. The Griffons (2-3, 1-2) lost today at nationally ranked Emporia State, 34-22.
 
 
 
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