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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2002
Lopers Win Ninth Game, Await Postseason
Kearney, NE - For the first time in 18 years, the Nebraska-Kearney football team has won a conference championship.
The 13th-ranked Lopers (9-1, 7-1 RMAC) got 129 yards from Mike Miller and the defense made a big stand in the fourth quarter to beat Mesa State, 20-13, Saturday afternoon in rainy and muddy Grand Junction, Colo. UNK can win the RMAC outright if Adams State wins at Chadron State (6-1 RMAC) next Saturday. UNK's last league title came in 1984 when the team won the CSIC with a 6-1 record.
This is the first time since 1980 the Lopers have won nine games in a season. The current seven game win streak is the longest since 1980 and, finally, the Lopers extend their road win streak to 10 games, dating back to October of 2000.
With the win, the Lopers should make the postseason for the first time in 22 years and make the schools' first-ever appearance in the 16-team NCAA Division II playoffs. That begins November 23rd with the field being announced November 17th. UNK is in good shape to host a game as number two ranked California-Davis lost today, 38-14, at top ranked Central Washington. The Lopers were ranked third, one spot behind Davis, in the West Region last week.
In miserable weather, the Lopers out gained the Mavericks (4-6, 4-3 RMAC) 466 to 261. The top ranked rushing offense in the league, Mesa averaged only 3.3 yards per carry against a UNK defense that ranks fourth nationally against the run. The Mavs finished with 147 yards on 45 carries.
The Lopers led 20-6 late in the third after a 13 play, 85 yard drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock. Miller finished the drive with a one yard plunge.
But Mesa cut the lead to seven early in the fourth. After deflecting an Aaron Gadeken punt, Mesa drove 42 yards in six plays, finishing the drive with a 14 yard scoring pass.
Mesa then intercepted Pat Korth and had it 3rd and goal from the UNK six yard line. The Loper defense rose to the occasion as Curtis Harris sacked Brandon Milholland for a loss of 11 yards. On 4th and goal from the 17 yard line, Mesa through an incomplete pass.
The play that might have saved everything for UNK came in the next drive. Facing a 3rd and 19 from its own eight yard line with five minutes left, Richie Ross made a one handed catch for a 38 yard gain that gave the Lopers much needed field position and help run more time off the clock.
Mesa got the ball back at its own 20 yard line with 2:31 to go but UNK sacked Milholland twice to shut the door.
Offensively, Miller broke John Mackovicka's single season rushing record of 1,483, set in 1970. Miller has 1,494 yards on the season. Korth was 11 of 23 for 324 yards and two TD's. Lexington sophomore Garth Mins had three catches for 150 yards, including a 91 yard effort that gave UNK the lead for good in the first quarter. Fellow sophomore Darnell Wood had four catches for 90 yards and a TD.
Sophomore linebacker Akil Davis led the defense with 12 tackles while Harris had 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery and three tackles for loss.
Contact:
Peter Yazvac yazvacpa@unk.edu
Media Relations Director (308)
865-8334
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© 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
University of Nebraska at Kearney
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