UNK Football: Lopers Dominate the Mustangs, 35-0

The Nebraska Kearney football team used a 21-point second quarter and held Southwest Minnesota State to 70 total yards to win, 35-0, Saturday afternoon in Marshall, Minn.

The Lopers (3-2) have now matched last year's win total and will host nationally ranked Pittsburg State (4-1) at Cope Stadium as part of "Homecoming" Festivities.

This was the first-ever meeting between UNK and SMSU (0-5) and it was all Blue and Gold from the jump. The Lopers out gained the Mustangs by a 438-70 margin which included -16 yards rushing for the home team. Additionally, UNK held the ball for nearly 40 minutes, ran 32 more plays and was plus one in the turnover margin. They came into the week ranked fourth nationally in that category (+2.25).

"Coach (Tim) Schaffner does a great job, and those guys are really buying into what they are doing. Getting that zero on the scoreboard is impressive. Forty-five plays and 70 yards is incredible in today's world. But they still have stuff they can work on," said UNK head coach Ryan Held on the KRVN Radio post-game show. "We have had back-to-back weeks having seven-hour road trips. Our team came up here and we found a way to get it done. We've tied last year's win total and it's a learning experience for us. We're not used to being up like that." 

Redshirt freshman quarterback Abram Scholting (Pierce) started his first collegiate game as Reagan Jones (Wichita) was sidelined with an ailment. He is probable to face the Gorillas. In his first extensive collegiate action, Scholting was 22 of 33 for 247 yards, two scores, no interceptions, and competed passes to nine different teammates. He also ran 13 times for 41 yards including a long scamper of 17 yards.

"We knew when we recruited him (Abram) he was a really good player. It's impressive that he came on the road and had the game he did. I told him a couple of weeks ago you are one play away from playing and here you are. You always must be ready," said Held.

Scholting started the scoring with a 15-yard pass to freshman receiver Djimon Wheeler (Norman Park, Ga.) midway through the first quarter. The paired hooked up a play early by offsetting flags took the points off the board momentarily. With just 3:38 left, Scholting hit senior back Tamicus Napier (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) from six yards out to complete the scoring. That drive started after senior backer Jeremiah Cox (Los Angeles) forced and recovered a fumble at the SMSU 36-yard line.

In between the TD tosses, junior back Isaiah Harris (Millard South) had two and 10-yard scoring runs with junior backer Nathan Pesek (Millard West) having a 19-yard "pick six" right after Harris' first TD. That marked UNK's second INT return for points this year and, unfortunately for the home offense, the seventh TD they have given up to date; five pick sixes and two scoop-and-scores).

"In the second half, penalties just killed us on some of the offensive drives. We should've punched a couple more in, we were 0 for 3 on fourth down and we shouldn't have had a turnover in the game (late fumble). But we started a redshirt freshman QB on the road and got a shutout which, at any level, isn't an easy thing to do," said Held.

Nationally ranked in several categories, the UNK "D" put on a clinic to the tune of 70 yards allowed over 45 plays. SMSU true freshman QB Drew Kluender was 10 of 26 for 86 yards and sacked four times with the ground game managing -16 yards on 19 attempts. The 'Stangs had a long run of eight yards and a top pass play that went for 27 yards. The Lopers forced eight punts, had a fourth down stop, six total TFL's and three pass breakups.

Harris (13 carries, 101 yards) and Scholting paced the Loper ground game with junior receiver Earnest McDaniel-Mitchell (Playa Del Rey, Calif.) having five grabs for 55 yards. Next, receiver Reggie Anderson (Gaithersburg, Md.) had four receptions for 31 yards with fellow senior Stephen Lewis (Gardendale, Ala.) at four for 28 yards. Finally, junior back Zane Schawang (Waverly) had a 21-yard punt return.

Defensively, senior end Quillan Felton (Lithonia, Ga.) had a team-best five tackles that included a 10-yard sack with Kearney natives Parker Wise (five yards) and Koren Conrad (17-yards) sacking Kluender as well.  Finally, reserves Julian Castillo (Lincoln Pius) and Nolan Wetovick (Cozad) combined for six stops.

SMSU was paced by safety Parker Knutson (seven tackles, three PBU's) with linebackers Thomas Mergen Gideon Ervasti at nine tackles apiece. 

Lowest Total Offense Allowed
1.             21           vs. Midland Lutheran, 10/4/57
2.             35           at Chadron State, 10/17/64
3.             41           vs. Colorado Mesa , 9/30/06
4.             48           at Fort Lewis, 11/5/11
5.             50           vs. Adams State, 9/20/08
6.             68           at MSU-Moorhead, 9/14/58
7.             70           at SW Minn. State, 10/5/25
8.             75           vs. Bemidji State, 11/11/93
9.             78           vs. Dana College, 10/30/59
10.           87           vs. Chadron State, 10/7/55
                87           vs. Neb. Wesleyan, 10/1/55

Fewest Rushing Yards Allowed
1.             -31          at Central Missouri, 10/27/12
                -31          vs. Midland Lutheran, 9/25/59
3.             -29          at Wayne State, 8/30/01
4.             -26          vs. Colorado Mines, 9/30/00
5.             -27          at Wayne State, 11/10/84
6.             -24          vs. Colorado Mines, 11/11/95
7.             -19          vs. Adams State, 9/20/08
8.             -17          at Colorado Mines, 9/28/01
9.             -16          vs. Lindenwood, 10/5/13
                -16          vs. Adams State, 11/15/97
                -16          at SW Minnesota St., 10/5/24