Big Fourth Quarter Helps Lopers Down Chadron State, 41-21

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney football team ran for four touchdowns, had a 42-yard pick six and blocked a punt to down rival Chadron State, 41-21, Saturday night at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field.

The Lopers (2-0) beat the Eagles (0-2) for a sixth straight time and for a second consecutive year to keep the "Good Life" Trophy.

"We wanted the Trophy to stay in Kearney again. It looks nice up in my office and we wanted to keep it for another year," said UNK head coach Ryan Held. "But, to keep it, we knew it was going to be a battle. Chadron does a nice really job, their kids play hard and it's a good program."

The 74th all-time meeting between the two saw each squad finish with 306 yards. However, the Eagles recorded 77 yards on the final drive of the game and after the Lopers scored 17 unanswered points to break up a 10-point game.

"Our kids played hard too. We had some big plays tonight … had a punt block, got some turnovers, a pick six, and almost another pick six," said Held. "Our defense has a chance to be really good, and we did some good things on offense. But we just have to tighten up a few things.

 

With the score 24-14 at the 11-minute mark, sophomore quarterback Abram Scholting (Pierce) hit receiver junior Jaden Jude (Athens, Ala.) for a 10-yard gain on 2nd & 8 form the Loper 11-yard line. The Eagles were called for roughing Scholting and then Held dialed up an exotic play as lefty senior receiver Zane Schawang (Waverly) tossed a 40-yard pass to junior receiver Dwayne Moorhead (Chicago, Ill.). That set up a 25-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Trey Prichard (Monument, Colo.) with 5:45 left. Prichard had started the scoring three minutes into the action thanks to a 41-yard field goal.

After Prichard's second field goal, junior linebacker Parker Wise (Kearney) picked off Eagles lefty QB DJ Ralph on the next play from scrimmage and a 36-yard return had UNK knocking on the door again. Back Isaiah Harris (Millard South) scored from three yards out and suddenly things were getting away from Chadron. It didn't get any better as the Eagle backup QB Aidan Thompson fumbled on the next drive with end Kade Seip (North Platte) pouncing on the loose ball at the CSC 25-yard line. That led to an eight-yard scoring run by reserve QB Kenneth Smith (Roswell, Ga).

"Chadron does a lot of things defensively, so it challenges you. But we found a way to get it down and we didn't turnover the ball over tonight," said Held. "Ending up (Division II) state champions is a big deal to us."

In the final minute of the first half, sophomore back Trey Kennedy (Kenesaw) blocked a punt deep in Eagles territory. That led to a four-yard scoring run by Scholting and a 17-7 lead. The UNK lead grew to 17 midway third quarter after senior Qualyn McQueen Sr. (Miami) broke up a pass with junior corner Ife Current (Kennedale, Texas) catching the deflection and running 42 yards for six more points and a 24-7 UNK cushion.

"We were right there on some earlier punts. I always tell these guys about the process; we didn't get the last one, go get the next one," said Held. "That was a big play and also good on the offense, to score with not much time left."

In his second career start, Scholting was 15 of 27 for 134 yards and completed passes to seven teammates. Jude (seven for 69) and Schawang (two for 43) were the busiest receivers with Harris having a team-best 64 yards. Scholting added 24 with freshman back Jahmez Ross (Omaha Westside) 32 yards and a score on seven carries.

Next, junior Marty Mormino (Omaha Westside) had three punts land inside the Eagles 20-yard line with senior safety CJ Kuehl (Indianola, Ia.) at a team-best eight tackles. Finally, senior end Josh Davies-Balogun (Richmond, Texas) had one of UNK's five sacks, another TFL, pass breakup and QB hurry.

Chadron was led by backs Quincey Ryker (56 yards) and Daytuawn Pearson (83 yards) and linebacker Logan O'Brien (seven tackles; 1.5 TFL).

UNK heads to Fort Hays State (1-1) next Saturday night.