Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney football team is at Central Oklahoma for a "Halloween" matinee.
The game kicks off at 1 p.m. from Chad Richison Stadium with fans not in attendance able to follow along via The River 93.1/106 FM, the MIAA Network ($) and live stats.
The Bronchos (3-5) hold an 8-5 series edge over the Lopers (1-7), which includes a 1979 NAIA Division I playoff victory in Edmond. UCO, then known as Central State, went on to be national runners-up. Last year at Foster Field, UNK won 35-24 after being down 17-7 at the break. They started the second half by recovering a pooched kickoff and later had a pick at the UCO seven-yard line. Overall, the Lopers rushed for 230 yards and four scores.
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This current 'Chos squad is led by interim head coach Cody Swanson, who also serves as the team's defensive coordinator. UCO has held three MIAA foes to under 17 points, but in the other three league games, teams have averaged 36 points.
Playing at home for just the third time in 2026, the 'Chos are led by 2024 All-American quarterback Jett Huff (7,323 career passing yards with 60 TD's). However, he is one of four QB's to have played over the past couple of games, with the three other signal callers all first- or second-year players. Due to graduation and the transfer portal, UCO had to replace 11 All-MIAA players, so the top receivers are true freshman Tahkari Bethel and JUCO transfer Makel Paiva. The backfield includes veteran Dev Mathews, and the line is led by All-MIAA center Gabe Grazier. UCO is averaging 25 points and 347 yards per game but has committed 22 turnovers.
A senior-laden defense has recorded 16 sacks and forced 17 turnovers. All-MIAA backer Reese Roller has a league-best 74 tackles as well as two picks and two fumble recoveries. He and safety Bryant Coley have the team's defensive scores, with the 'Chos having blocked two punts, two field goals and a PAT. True freshman Bradley Thao is the kicker, with corner Antwan Gilbreath the top return specialist.
UNK enters week nine as one of Division II's leaders in fewest turnovers (five). Having a plus-six turnover margin, the Lopers are also one of the nation's best in running the ball (145 ypg), with junior co-captain Marty Mormino (Omaha Westside) one of D2's top punters (12th/43.2 avg.). He boomed a 73-yarder last week, tied for eighth longest in school history.
The offense picked up its first TD toss last Saturday, a 50-yard strike from junior Devin Tate (Oxnard, Calif.) to senior Austin Ayobamidele (Brooklyn Park, Minn.). Four QB's have now combined for 963 yards, a 54% completion rate and completions to 19 teammates. On the ground, true freshman Calin Arndt (Overland Park, Kan.) ranks first in carries (66), yards (347), yards per carry (5.3) and is tied for second in TD's (three). Tate and Ziggy Harper (Belle Glade, Fla.) have half of UNK's 12 rushing scores, with this unit the most productive in the second quarter (65 points).
On a windy fall day last week, the Loper defense forced No. 11 Northwest Missouri to punt eight times and go 7 of 24 in the air with a pick and score. Foes complete 56% of their passes and have just 10 TD's to seven INT's this year. Safety Gunnar Lym (Bennington) has had INT's in each of the last two games, with corner Marquese Chapman (Houston) up to a team-best seven PBU's. Co-captain and backer Parker Wise (Kearney) is now one of 20 players to reach the 200-career tackle mark. He currently leads the Blue & Gold in stops (53) and TFL's (6.0).
