Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney football team hosts the Pittsburg State Gorillas for "Homecoming" this Saturday (Oct. 3) at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium/Foster Field.
The game kicks off at 2 p.m. with the Homecoming Parade on the Bricks starting at 10 a.m. Fans not in attendance for the game can follow along via The River 93.1/106 FM, the MIAA Network ($) or News Channel Nebraska, and live stats.
This will be the 29th all-time meeting between UNK (0-4) and Pitt (0-4) with the Lopers "vacating" a 2021 win and the Gorillas "forfeiting" a 1978 victory. Pitt is coming off their bye week with the Lopers hoping to stop a nine-game losing streak (since 1982) to the Gorillas at Foster Field.
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Last year at Carnie Smith Stadium, All-American kicker Austin Schmitt booted three field goals and Pitt used a late pick six to win, 23-6. The Lopers were out gained by 262 yards but hung around until the fourth quarter.
The game within the game this Saturday will be the punting battle between UNK junior Marty Mormino (Omaha Westside) and PSU sophomore Tyle Antle. Mormino ranks third in Division II in punt average (46.9) with Antle a spot ahead (47.2). Kentucky State's Leland Gantz is the nation's leader at 47.4. Also on special teams, Loper sophomore Kaden Kiernan (Kansas City) has booted five field goals and is 6 for 6 on PATs with Schmitt a perfect 5 for 5 (FGs) and 7 for 7 (PATs).
The Gorilla offense features three of the MIAA's top skill players in receivers Kuron Parchmon and Greyson Holbert and tight end/fullback Luke Niggemann. Each is a returning all-league selection with the Pitt offense at 16 points and 291 yards per game. Pitt has struggled with turnovers (16), third down conversion rate (26%) and scoring in the third quarter (seven points to date). Next, quarterbacks Billy Bacon and Jake Wolff are joined in the backfield by Emporia State transfer and one-time Loper commit Diego Cearns (33.0 rushing ypg). Finally, the line features two senior starters.
Five graduates or seniors start on a defense that is allowing 32 points and 458 yards per game. Sophomore linebackers Blake Carr and Quintin Kirby both have made 29 tackles with end Ely Wilcox a returning All-MIAA selection. Pitt has picked off three passes and recorded two sacks but has yet to recover a fumble.
Getting a bit healthier on offense, the Lopers enter week five looking to start fast. UNK has tallied three first quarter points and has yet to lead in the first half this year. The Blue & Gold's top rusher is transfer back Quincey Ryker (60.3 ypg) with transfer receiver Austin Ayobamidele (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) at six catches for 60 yards. Transfers Devin Tate (166.3 yards of total offense per game; three rushing TDs) and Gunner McElroy (Jacksboro, Texas) and redshirt freshman Connor Bohon (Shawnee, Kan.) have logged minutes at QB with program stalwarts Dawson Fox (St. Paul) and Carter Klein (Pleasanton) leading up front.
The stingy UNK defense forced Washburn to punt five times in the first half last Saturday and has two pick sixes from ends Caleb Kinkaid (North Platte) and Timarcus Grayson (Ralph, Ala.). The Lopers allow 27 points per game, have forced six turnovers and 23 punts (5.8 per game). Next, linebacker Parker Wise (Kearney) is up to 175 tackles, tied for 31st most since UNK began tracking tackles in 1990. The co-captain will be the 20th Loper to reach the 200 mark and is coming off a 13-stop effort vs. the Ichabods.
UNK heads to Missouri Western next Saturday (6 p.m.). The sixth-ranked volleyball team plays the eighth-ranked Griffons at 1 p.m. that day.
