LOPER FOOTBALL LOOKS TO OVERCOME HAYS FOR FIRST TIME IN LYNN ERA:
The 23rd/19th-ranked Nebraska Kearney football team faces longtime rival Fort Hays State under the lights at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium this Saturday night.
The 68th all-time meeting between the two kicks off at 7 p.m. In a series that dates back to 1926, the Tigers (1-3) have been a thorn in the side of the Lopers (3-1) for the past 17 years, taking 11 of the last 12 meetings including the past nine. During UNK’s MIAA era (20212-present), the Lopers have led Hays five times at the half only to see the Tigers rally for the win. The Blue & Gold still lead the series by a 34-32-1 margin.
UNK enters week five tops in the MIAA in scoring defense (15.3). The Loper “Blue Wall” has been stingy in the red zone and on both third and fourth downs in the past two games.
UNK’s offense is first or second in the league in seven categories including rushing (302.5 ypg), rushing TD’s (10) and passing efficiency (144.5). QB TJ Davis (Colorado Springs) needs just 153 more passing yards to be the fifth Loper to reach the 4,000-career mark. Last week he became the third UNK rusher to reach 3,000 career mark (3,061).
GRAND ISLAND ENDS KEARNEY’S UNBEATEN SEASON:
The Bearcats unbeaten season crashed due to two turnovers that created two touchdowns for Grand Island as Kearney falls to 5-1 on the season after losing to the Islanders 28-21 on Friday night. A full game recap can be found here.
The Bearcats travel to Omaha Westside – who fell to North Platte on the road Friday night – next week in the metro.
LOPER VOLLEYBALL SWEEPS TOP TEN RATED BEARCATS:
Outside hitter Emersen Cyza had 17 kills and sixth-ranked Nebraska Kearney fought off two set points to sweep 10th-ranked Northwest Missouri State Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.
The Lopers (17-1, 7-1) are in sole possession of first place in the MIAA and avenge a 2021 home loss to the Bearcats (11-4, 5-2). The two meet again later this fall in Maryville.
UNK hosts No. 8 Washburn on Tuesday night. The Ichabods (12-3, 4-3) lost in four sets at Missouri Southern State tonight.
HUSKER VOLLEYBALL SWEEPS RUTGERS; ONTO TERRAPINS:
The No. 3 Nebraska volleyball team started off strong from the service line and never looked back in a 25-13, 25-7, 25-15 win at Rutgers
Nebraska (11-1, 3-0 Big Ten) got three aces from Lexi Rodriguez in the match’s first eight rallies, and the Huskers went on to post a season-high 12 aces with just eight errors as they cruised past the Scarlet Knights.
Nebraska finishes its road trip at Maryland on Sunday at Noon at XFINITY Center Pavilion. Hear the contest Sunday on KGFW.
HUSKER PRACTICE COMMENTS – MICKEY JOSEPH (THURSDAY):
JOSEPH – BEST FIVE WILL PLAY ON OFFENSIVE LINE:
Mickey Joseph, interim Head Coach for Nebraska Football, addressed the media after Thursday’s practice and was asked what the offensive line could look like heading into their homecoming matchup…
The Huskers will be without two offensive lineman in Teddy Prochazka who ended his season after the Oklahoma contest and Kevin Williams who was not listed on the depth chart for this week’s contest.
JOSEPH – DEFENSE IS IN A GOOD SPOT BY SIMPLIFYING:
Interim Head Coach for Nebraska Football Mickey Joseph has answered questions all week regarding his defensive adjustments after the firing of Erik Chinander after the Oklahoma contest. Joseph added after Thursday’s practice that he thinks the Blackshirts are in a much better spot now…
The Huskers replaced Chinander with special teams coach and now interim defensive coordinator Bill Busch.
JOSEPH – WE NEED TO BE A TEAM THAT HUNTS, NOT HUNTED:
Interim Head Coach Mickey Joseph bestowed his team philosophy to the media after Thursday’s practice, saying that there is a new mentality around Husker football…
Nebraska sits at 1-3 and will have to hunt for wins as they begin their stretch of conference games against Indiana on Saturday.
JOSEPH – INDIANA RUSH DEFENSE COULD CAUSE TROUBLE:
Interim Head Coach Mickey Joseph addressed media questions after Thursday’s practice, saying that he was impressed on film about Indiana’s rush defense…
Joseph’s offense will be without backup running Ajay Allen but top back Anthony Grant aims to continue his strong start on the season being in the Top Ten in FBS rushing yards.
JOSEPH – REALLY PHYSICAL THURSDAY PRACTICE:
Mickey Joseph, interim Head Coach for Nebraska Football, addressed the media after Thursday’s practice and said it was a good-looking practice for the Big Red…
Nebraska faces Indiana in their first Big Ten conference game since Northwestern in Week Zero at home under the lights for Homecoming Saturday at 6:30 PM.
JOSEPH – PLAYERS RECOGNIZE FAN SUPPORT, HOMECOMING:
It has been a busy week for the Husker Football team as they come off a bye week preparing for Indiana. Meanwhile on campus, Homecoming activities continue to provide energy with old faces making their return to Lincoln. Interim Head Coach Mickey Joseph added that his team recognizes the support…
The Huskers look to rock Indiana on Homecoming night as the Big Red sits at 1-3 on the season facing off against the 3-1 Hoosiers. Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM.
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
FRIDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Boys Tennis: Varsity Quad @ Lincoln
- KHS = 2nd
- Football: v. Grand Island @ Ron & Carol Cope Stadium
- GISH 28-21
- Boys Tennis: Varsity Quad @ Lincoln
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- Football: @ Hastings St. Cecilia
- HSC 34-7
- Football: @ Hastings St. Cecilia
- UNK:
- Volleyball: v. Northwest Missouri State @ Health & Sports Center
- UNK 3-0
- Women’s Soccer: @ Central Oklahoma
- UCO 2-0
- Volleyball: v. Northwest Missouri State @ Health & Sports Center
SATURDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Softball: HAC Softball Tournament @ Bradshaw Park, Columbus NE – 9 AM
- Volleyball: Lincoln NE Invite – 9 AM
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- N/a
- UNK:
- Women’s Golf: @ Nebraska Intercollegiate (Non-Varsity) @ Norfolk
- Women’s Swimming: v. UNK Fall Splash
- Football: v. Fort Hays State @ Ron & Carol Cope Stadium – 7 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Nebraska Football v. Indiana (2:30 PM – 1 AM)
SUNDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- N/a
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- N/a
- UNK:
- Women’s Golf: v. Golfweek Division II Invite @ Destin, FL
- Women’s Soccer @ Newman – 1 PM
- Softball: v. Doane @ Patriot Park – 1 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Nebraska Volleyball @ Maryland – 12 PM
