Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney defense recovered two fumbles inside the 10-yard line, punter Marty Mormino had a huge effort, and defensive tackle Kelvin Gray blocked a last-second PAT as the Lopers beat Fort Hays State, 28-27, Saturday afternoon at Foster Field.
The Lopers (2-8, 2-6) picked up their second win over the rival Tigers (3-7, 2-6) in the MIAA era (since 2012) and sent off 23 graduates and seniors on a good note. This was the 72nd all-time meeting between the two, with UNK now ahead, 36-35-1. Finally, this was the final game on the current FieldTurf, installed in 2017. The Lopers ended up 25-24 on the surface, with a new field coming in April 2027.
"Rivalry game. Senior day. I really challenged the guys because our seniors have been great keeping this thing together through some adversity. I wanted them to walk off that field and taste victory," said Loper head coach Ryan Held on the KRVN Radio post-game show. "What a game. Credit to Fort Hays; they haven't had the season they wanted but they fought all the way till the end."
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Early in the fourth quarter and the score tied at 21, Mormino (Omaha Westside) booted a 59-yarder to the Tiger 2-yard line. The defense got a three-and-out, and then a shanked 19-yard punt gave UNK great field position. They turned that into an 8-yard touchdown pass as quarterback Devin Tate (Oxnard, Calif.) found receiver Eddie Schultz (Montclair, Calif.) in the corner of the end zone.
While the defense followed with another stop, the offense could not run out the clock, so Mormino pinned the Tigers at their own 16-yard line with 3:08 left. Behind Iowa State transfer quarterback Major Cantrell, Hays drove the field and converted on 4th-and-goal with 27 seconds left. After UNK stuffed three runs, Cantrell hit tight end Cade Evans in the flat.
It seemed the Lopers were headed to their ninth all-time overtime game, but Gray (Gonzales, La.) had other ideas. He bull-rushed the center on the PAT and easily swatted the kick away. The special teams still had to make another play, with a high onside kick corralled by safety Eddie Whipple (Daytona Beach, Fla.) at the Tigers 45-yard line. A kneel-down by quarterback Ziggy Harper (Belle Glade, Fla.) followed as UNK won at Cope Stadium for the second time in 2026.
"Incredible block by Kelvin there in the middle. Marty should be the Worldly Player of the Week on the punts that he hit today," said Held. "We took advantage of our opportunities today. It was big to punch in there a couple of times, but we always haven't played complementary football this year."
Veteran back Isaiah Harris (Millard South) had scoring plunges of 8 and 4 yards after the defense forced turnovers. First, tackle Kade Seip (North Platte) stripped back LaAngelo Bell at the Hays 8-yard line midway through the first quarter. A 52-yarder by Mormino had put the Tigers into bad field position. Next, a 43-yarder by Mormino landed at the Tiger 4 early in the fourth. Two plays later, back AG Floyd dropped a handoff from Cantrell, with end Timarcus Grayson Jr. (Ralph, Ala.) landing on the loose ball. Harris scored on the next play to tie things at 21 and set up the dramatics.
"I did take a risk taking the wind in the fourth quarter, but I felt that was the right thing to do in a game like that. You just look at some of their punts; I think that helped us," said Held.
UNK did have a seven-play, 75-yard march right before half to knot things at 14. Tate was scrambling to his right on third down and found freshman receiver Bryce Lakers (Gretna) for an easy 37-yard score down the sidelines. The Tigers brought the house, allowing Lakers to be wide open.
Running 20 more plays, Hays outgained UNK by a 343-233 margin but missed field goals of 42 and 55 yards and averaged 37 yards a punt. Mormino came in at 47.7 with a long of 60 and five of his seven efforts landing inside the Tiger 20.
"It's emotional because you put your heart and soul into this. We've been close too many times this year. We blocked the noise and found a way to get it done today and it's a testament to the boys in blue," said Held.
Tate finished 12 of 18 for 86 yards, one interception and one touchdown while rushing for 21 yards on seven carries. Next, Harris and freshman Calin Arndt (Overland Park, Kan.) combined for 63 yards on 17 carries and five catches for 28 yards. Finally, Harper totaled 43 yards of total offense in leading a couple of drives.
"Ninety-nine percent of the world doesn't come back from that injury (Harris' leg). He's found a way to keep sticking through it. Awesome for him to get a couple of touchdowns to put us up," said Held.
A busy Cantrell was 26 of 39 for 259 yards with his favorite target being receiver Chase Cottam (seven receptions, 65 yards). Bell and Floyd combined for 76 yards and two scores, with Legend Robinson at a team-best seven stops.
The Loper defense was led by Bennington safety Gunnar Lym (11 tackles, one PBU), Kearney backer Parker Wise (eight tackles, two PBUs) and Kansas backer Dylan Jordan (six tackles, 10-yard sack).
UNK heads to Central Missouri (6-4, 5-3) next Saturday to close out the 2026 campaign. The Mules' playoff hopes took a big hit today as they lost on a walk-off field goal at Pittsburg State, 41-38.
