Todd Gottula

Game 6 Preview: Lopers Look to Slow Griffs Under the Lights

10/9/2026 1:17:00 PM

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney football team returns to the road this weekend to face the Missouri Western State Griffons at night.

The Lopers and Griffons kick off at 6 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 10) from Spratt Stadium. It's "Homecoming" in St. Joseph with the nationally ranked volleyball teams from UNK (fifth) and MWSU (seventh) starting the day at 1 p.m. Fans can follow both events via The River 93.1/106. FM, the MIAA Network ($) and live stats.

The high-powered Griffons (2-3) are led by transfer quarterback Isaiah Tate. Recruited to FCS North Alabama by Loper head coach Ryan Held, Tate threw four touchdown passes in the opener vs. Augustana and then had six in a win over Fort Hays. He averages 323 passing yards per game for an offense that has amassed 122 first half points. The Griffs have a 12 of 24 red zone TD rate but rank seventh nationally in total offense per game at just 505. Carter Klein

A 2025 All-MIAA kick and punt returner, Crew Myers (33 recep., 618 yds., four TD's) has been Tate's favorite target with 6-5, 220-pound junior Malik Moore next (406 yds., three TD's). In the backfield is 235-pound junior Rickie Dunn (89 ypg) with the line led by all-league left guard Connor Holt.

Defensively, a unit with nine upperclassmen starting is allowing 41 points and 485 yards per game. Having the second most interceptions (eight) in the MIAA, the Griffs have seen its foes convert on third down (48%) and score in the second and third quarters. Safety Ken Pierre-Charles (43) and backer Broc Worcester (38) lead in tackles with Bowling Green transfer and corner Mayes Doggan leading in INT's with two. Up front is end Evan Willaims who has a team-best 5.5 TFL's. On special teams, freshman receiver Peyton Hatfield brought back a kick 98 yards for a score and has a 25-yard punt return. Finally, Australian junior Tom Troeth (37.4 avg.) is the punter with redshirt frosh Latrell Armstrong at place kicker (4 of 7 FG's; 20 of 22 PAT's.).

UNK has won five of the last six meetings with Mo West including last year by a 27-7 score at Foster Field. The Blue & Gold led 6-0 at the break but used a "pick six" and some short fields to blow things open. Three Griff turnovers led to 21 Loper points with UNK having three TD tosses.

In an overtime loss to Pitt State last Saturday, the offense ran for 288 yards and three scores. Graduate Isaiah Harris (Millard South) had his best day since coming back from injury, sophomore Quincey Ryker (Sargent) had a 38-yard gallop and true freshman Calin Arndt (Overland Park, Kan.) had a 20-yard scamper. For added measure, junior QB Ziggy Harper (Belle Glade, Fla.) had one TD and a 20-yard run.

Still looking for its first TD pass of the year, junior Devin Tate (Oxnard, Calif.) is at 121 passing yards per game. He hasn't played since suffering an injury early in the fourth quarter at Emporia State (Sept. 19). An amazing 17 Lopers have caught a pass including Arndt and fellow freshmen Canon Allen (Aurora), Kip Brigham (Wahoo), Jeremiah Parks (Belle Glade, Fla.) and Aiden Zajicek (Wilber).

Defensively, the Lopers have allowed just two TD drives and 214 total yards in the first half the past two weeks. That effort featured nine forced punts and two turnovers. Overall, UNK allows 28 points and 363 yards per game and has a 65% red zone TD rate (13 of 20). Individually, co-captain and linebacker Parker Wise (Kearney) is up to a team-best 36 stops and leads in TFL's with 4.5. Next, corner Marquese Chapman (Houston) has five PBU's and end Weston Heinemann (Bennington) has a forced fumble and two sacks. Finally, co-captain Marty Mormino (Omaha) has D2's fourth-highest punt average (45.7).

UNK hosts Missouri Southern Oct. 17 at Cope Stadium. The Lions (1-4, 0-3) host nationally ranked Emporia State this Saturday.

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