Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney football team finishes up its 2026 home slate by battling rival Fort Hays State this Saturday.

The game kicks off at 1 p.m. with fans not in attendance able to follow along via via The River 93.1/106. FM, the MIAA Network ($) or News Channel Nebraska (tape delayed until 7 p.m.), and live stats.

This is the 72nd all-time between the two with the Tigers ahead 35-34-1 (2021 Loper win vacated per NCAA rules). This will also be the 49th and final game on the Cope Stadium FieldTurf. The surface was put down in 2017 and will be replaced in April 2027; UNK is 24-24 on this field. The original turf lasted from 2005-16.

Both UNK (1-8, 1-6) and the Tigers (3-6, 2-5) are looking to end this fall strong. The Lopers are coming off a 31-6 setback at Central Oklahoma with Hays falling to Central Missouri, 31-13. Last year in Kansas, the Tigers scored the first 26 points in a 26-7 win. They used a 78-yard pick six and four field goals to win a third straight game in the series. UNK out gained Hays by two yards but committed three turnovers that led to 13 Tiger points.

Longtime head coach Chris Brown (98 career wins) has a team that's allowing 26 points and 355 yards per game. Led by All-MIAA ends Gaven Hasselhorst and Parrish Terry, the defense has forced 15 turnovers and recorded 11 sacks with foes convert 40% on third down. Returning all-league safety Michael Polley (60) is the current tackle leader with tackle Taderian Peete (4.0) the sack leader.

Having run 95 more plays (10.5 per game avg.) than its foes, the offense is led by Iowa State transfer quarterback Major Cantrell (228 ypg, nine TD's). He gets to hand the ball off to a pair of talented backs in sophomore AG Floyd (79 ypg, 11 TD's) and Central Missouri transfer LaAngelo Bell (49 ypg, five TD's) with the line led by a pair of fifth-year seniors. Finally, the receiving corps features Missouri Southern transfer Ayden Robinson-Wayne (464 yards, five TD's).

On special teams, kickers Zane Colson and David Arriaga have combined for seven made field goals and 23 PAT's with All-MIAA pick Logan Russell at 42.9 yards a punt. Hays has blocked two kicks as well but seen three of their own swatted down.

UNK continues to be a nationally leader in fewest turnovers, currently tied for second with just five (two interceptions and three fumbles). That allows the Lopers to post a rare plus eight turnover margin, good for 16th best in Division II. Last Saturday in Edmond, safety Gunnar Lym (Bennington) and backer Parker Wise (Kearney) forced fumbles in the second half to help the defense blank the 'Chos after intermission. 

Having scored 65 of its 136 points in the second quarter, UNK got 85 rushing yards from QB Ziggy Harper (Belle Glade, Fla.) at UCO with junior receiver Eddie Schultz (Montclair, Calif.) at three catches. He's had nine for 135 yards over the last four games. The Lopers aim to boost third down production (25% conversion rate) with the run game at 150 yards per week and 12 scores. QB Devin Tate (Oxnard, Calif.) has four of those with backs Calin Arndt (Overland Park, Kan.) and Isaiah Harris (Omaha) at three apiece.

Finally on special teams, junior co-captain Marty Mormino (Omaha) is the league's second best punter (43.3). He's had 26 attempts in the last three weeks with 33% of his punts on the season landing inside the opponent red zone.

UNK ends the year at UCM on Nov. 14.

Lopers Playing in Final Home Game
    OL Zach Cross
    OL Dawson Fox
    OL Carter Klein
    OL Kenny Quinteros
    TE Carsten Bluhm
    TE Dalton Snodgrass
    TE Mufasa Stallings
    WR Austin Ayobamidele
    WR A.J. King
    RB Isaiah Harris
    RB Stone Wilson
    FB Trey Kennedy

    DL Alijah Smith
    DL Wayne Tei-Kirby
    DE Koren Conrad    
    LB Timothy Grayson Jr.
    LB Dylan Jordan
    LB Parker Wise
    CB Marc Gouldsby Jr. 
    CB Jude Joseph
    S Tyson Boganowski
    S Kolten Tilford
    P Sam Holloway