Kearney, Neb. – After a rare 16-day break, the Nebraska Kearney football team returns to game action this Saturday (Sept. 19) at No. 17 Emporia State.

The game kicks off at 4 p.m.; this is believed to be the first-ever 4 p.m. start for a Hornets home game with temps expected to be in the 90's. Fans not in attendance can follow along via The River 93.1/106. FM, watch via the MIAA Network ($), or follow along via live stats.

Longtime head coach and former E-State quarterback Garin Higgins has a squad that is the surprise of the league so far. Picked sixth in both MIAA preseason polls, the Hornets are 3-0 after beating Minot (N.D.) State, Pittsburg State and Michigan Tech. Both Pitt and Tech were nationally ranked when they lost to the Hornets.

All-American linebacker and 2025 MIAA Defensive Player Landon Boss leads the defense with a quick-strike offense paced by a trio of veteran receivers. Boss amassed 100 tackles (10.0 sacks) last fall to make multiple AA teams and, through three games this year, he's at 37 tackles and four QB hurries to be a three-time MIAA Defensive Player of the Week winner. The Hornet defense has pitched a shut out in the third quarter and has already forced six turnovers and recorded seven sacks. Finally, All-MIAA safety Tyler Schultze and a stout line helped limit the Gorillas to just 10 points back on Sept. 5. 

Veteran QB Ben Harris couldn't go vs. Tech so sophomore Jamison Sarver promptly stepped in and threw for 226 yards and two scores. He and Harris get to throw to Malik O'Atis, Trenden Collins and Ethan Schultze with former Tulsa Golden Hurricane Camden Crooks (61.0 ypg; two TD's) the new starting back. Finally, Emporia is converting 52% of its third downs and is 1 of 2 on fourth down.

Loper co-captain and fourth-year player Marty Mormino (Omaha Westside) currently ranks seventh in Division in punting at 46.4 yards a boot. Four of his 10 attempts have traveled at least 50 yards and four have landed inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He also had a 66-yard "free kick" after a UNK safety.

Third-year QB Devin Tate (Oxnard, Calif.) is at 58 yards rushing and 122 yards passing per game with three scores. He's completed passes to 11 teammates led by Alex Parks (Overland Park, Kan.) and Ryker Evans (Elwood). On the ground, third-year Quincey Ryker (Sargent) is at 52 ypg with graduate Isaiah Harris (Millard South) close to making his 2026 debut. He ran for 270 yards and four TD's in last year's 34-20 win over Emporia.

The UNK defense looks to improve a bit on third down (13 of 27 conversions) but has allowed just 16 second half points. Safety Gunnar Lym (Gretna) and corner Marquese Chapman (Houston) are tied for the team-lead in tackles (12) with the unit having four TFL's for a loss of 28 yards. End Caleb Kinkaid (North Platte) has been the most disruptive, thanks to an 87-yard "pick six", pass break up and TFL.

The Lopers have four of their next five games at Cope Stadium, starting Sept. 26 vs. Washburn (1-1-1). The Ichabods host Central Oklahoma this weekend.