Lopers upset 22nd-ranked Northwest Missouri State

KEARNEY Yeah, this one was big.

Stopping Northwest Missouri State inside the 20-yard line in the games final minute, the University of Nebraska at Kearney football team claimed a 21-14 upset of the 22nd-ranked Bearcats Saturday night.

Wow,' is all I can say, UNK coach Ryan Held said.

"When youre picked last (in the conference) by a lot of people, to beat Northwest Missouri thats an historic top-five, all-time program after they destroyed you the year before, thats a big-time deal." Less than a year ago, the Bearcats routed the Lopers 56-7 in the regular-season in Maryville.

An embarrassing loss, Held has said.

And Saturday night started off as an extension of that defeat.

Northwest Missouri (0-2), ranked 22nd in the AFCA Preseason Poll, marched 72 yards in eight plays to take a 7-0 lead with more than eight minutes left in the first quarter.

But less than five minutes later, UNKs Zane Schwang caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Reagan Jones to tie the score.

Jones, a graduate transfer from Missouri Western, provided the offensive spark for the Lopers.

Jones completed 15 of 30 passes for 141 yards and he led UNK in rushing with 74 yards on 14 carries.

He found the end zone on a 2-yard run with 1:39 left in the first half to tie the game and he added a 12-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to put UNK ahead.

"Hes a veteran.

He understands this league, Held said.

"He kept his eyes down the field and made some throws." Running backs were his favorite target.

Schwang caught four passes for 60 yards and Isaiah Harris caught four passes for 11 yards.

"I cant believe the effort we put out there tonight.

We got after it and Im so proud of my boys up front and all around, Jones said.

"Its been a lot different, my relationship with the O-line here, than Ive really ever had in my college career.

I know most of those guys really well, consider a lot of them really good friends, and so its definitely a lot different." Jones was sacked twice but did not throw an interception and, for the second straight game, UNK (2-0) didnt turn the ball over.

Meanwhile, the UNK defense came away with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

While Northwest Missouri was effective through the air quarterback Chris Ruhnke completed 25 of 38 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns the UNK defense stymied the running game, allowing 32 net yards on 26 carries.

The Lopers sacked Ruhnke twice and had a total of nine tackles for a loss.

"Our defense just played lights out, Held said.

"We put a lot of pressure on those guys.

Were big in the middle and weve got speed on the edge." The defense especially stood up in the closing minutes.

Taking over at their own 10 yard line, with a little more thn six minutes on the clock, the Bearcats started a march toward the tying touchdown.

Ten plays later, and a little less than two minutes left, Northwest Missouri had first-and-goal at the 8.

Defensive tackle Quillan Felton rallied his teammates, reminding them that they had been in this pposition bfore and been successful holding opponents to a field goal.

"'This time they dont want three points, so lets keep fighting, he said.

"I knew they were going to come out with it.

Were good in the red zone, so I just told them to keep fighting." On fourth-and-goal from the 12, UNK defensive back Jamere Johnsons interception in the end zone ended the Bearcats last hope of victory.

"I couldnt be more proud of the coaches, the players, everybody involved, Held said.

"We made the plays when we needed to.

They got up, we answered.

...

We found a way to win." UNK will be idle this week then play host to Central Oklahoma on Sept.

21.

"Going 2-0 going into the off week, I cant tell you how big that is, Held said.

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