Quarterback Abram Scholting ran for a late score and completed a fourth down pass to help the Blue team edge the White team, 20-17, in Nebraska Kearney’s annual spring game at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium.
The game featured a running clock after halftime, each team having one chance to move to the opponent’s 15-yard line to start a drive, no rush on field goals and PAT’s, no kickoffs, no returns on punts, and quarterbacks weren’t “live” unless they wore a green penny. 
“I knew it would be a war because our guy’s love coming to work. We split the teams up and they were very evenly matched,” said third-year head coach Ryan Held. “Everyone got into the game for the most part and got a lot of reps in and it gave us another chance to get better. I think we have a lot of good players and I’m excited to have a great summer.”
Scholting (Pierce) and White team QB Daron Bryden (Enfield, Conn.) had running scores as did backs Isaiah Harris (Millard South) and Jahmez Ross (Omaha Westside). Kickers Trey Prichard (Monument, Colo.), Kyle Failing (Port Orchard, Wash.) and Allan Hall (Scottsdale, Ariz.) each made a field goal with linebacker Parker Wise (Kearney) and lineman Cole Luedtke(Lincoln SW) among the defensive stars.
“All four QB’s did some good things and we tried to get them the same number of reps. Come the fall, we’ll have to cut that down and be able to get out top two guys more reps, but we wanted to see what all those guys can do,” said Held. “There’s a lot to evaluate and we went live on a few drives today because that changes the dynamic.”
Scholting ran 40 yards for the game winning score early in the fourth quarter. The White team had several chances to tie or retake the lead, but the Blue defense held strong. With time winding down, the Blue offense converted 4th & 1 from the White 39-yard line when Scholting completed an eight-yard pass to junior receiver Jaden Jude (Athens, Ala.).
“I went for it on fourth down and that was for the game; you either get it or you don’t. We found a way to convert and end the game,” said Held. “There will be times when we are aggressive and sometimes, we might have to punt it there.”
Ross had close to 180 yards rushing in carrying the load for the Blue’s offense. His big day included a long run of 34 yards and one catch with Scholting, Bryden (Emporia State & Stony Brook U.), redshirt junior Brenden Bush (Bay Point, Calif) and redshirt freshman Kenneth Smith (Roswell, Ga.) a combined 24 of 47 for 202 yards and one interception. Jude, former ‘Husker Dae’vonn Hall (Bellevue West) and tight end Kanon Cada (Bishop Neumann) were among the busiest receivers.
“I think we’re really good in the running back room. There’s a lot of talent there and Isaiah should be the best returning running back in the league,” said Held.
Both Wise and Luedtke both had sacks (i.e. sometimes just a touch of QB wearing a yellow jersey) with freshman corner Xavier Wells (Temple, Texas) picking off Scholting for the game’s lone turnover.
“For the most part, we’ve done a really nice job this spring not turning the ball over. A few interceptions but I think just one lost fumble to the defense all spring. Offensively we’ve turned a corner in that area,” said Held. “I think our defensive line is solid, our newcomers in the secondary did some nice things this spring and Coach McCoy has done a good with the linebackers. (Defensive coordinator) Tim Schaffner challenges everything you do, and I love going against him every day in practice.”
Finally, Cada, running back Trey Kennedy (Kenesaw), long snapper Cole Bauer (Grand Island Senior H.S.) and safety Nolan Wetovick (Cozad) were all awarded scholarship monies after the game was finished.
UNK reports to fall camp on Aug. 1 with the 2025 opener set for Aug. 28 (Thursday) at Wayne State. The Lopers and Wildcats haven’t met on the gridiron since 2011.
