November 1, 2003

Football Loses by Four

Lopers Magic at Hays Runs Out 

            Kearney, NE – Senior quarterback Pat Korth and sophomore wide receiver Richie Ross had record breaking performances but it wasn’t enough for the Nebraska-Kearney football team as Fort Hays State scored the game’s final 15 points to beat the Lopers, 38-34, Saturday afternoon at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays, Kans. The Tigers (5-4, 4 –2 RMAC) ended a seven-year losing streak to UNK (5-4, 4-3 RMAC) in the process.

            UNK has lost its four games this year by a combined 26 points. In addition, the Lopers have out gained the opposition in three of those losses by wide margins, including today. UNK rolled up 532 yards of total offense compared to 387 for Hays. However, the Tigers amassed 203 yards on five kick returns, which set up several short scoring drives.

            The Lopers had won three straight games at Hays and each in the final two minutes. It appeared the streak might continue after the Tigers missed a 27-yard field goal with 1:04 to go. With no timeouts left, Korth completed passes of 13 and 19 yards to Lexington junior Garth Mins to move UNK to the Hays 46-yard line. But on a 4^th and five from the Hays 41-yard line, a pass to Wayne junior Dustin Schmeits fell incomplete and the Tigers took over on downs.

            In a back and forth game, UNK scored 20 unanswered points to take a 34-23 lead early in the fourth on a one yard plunge by junior running back Mike Miller. However, Hays answered right back thanks to the play of backup quarterback Josh Todd. He played most of the game after starter Reed Gottula, of McCook, left the game late in the first half with injury.

            A 25-yard pass from Todd to Andre Freeman put the Tigers at the Loper 35-yard line. One play later, Todd raced 35 yards for a score and then he threw a two point conversion to Thaddeus Brown to make the score 34-31.

            After the Tiger defense held UNK, Todd drove FHSU 69 yards in nine plays. The drive’s final two plays were runs of 15 and 23 yards by Todd. He finished the game with 116 yards on 21 carries. Through the air, Todd was 6 of 12 for 95 yards and one score.

             Korth, who had averaged 347 yards passing over the last three weeks, was 26 of 42 for 464 yards and two TD’s. The 464 yards is the second most yards in school history, trailing only a 483-yard effort by Justin Coleman in a 2000 game at Wayne State. Korth’s first career 400-yard game came just two weeks ago in a loss to Chadron State (430).

            For the season, Korth has passed for 2,859 yards, which is the second most in school history. Coleman threw for 3,167 yards in 1999. The Hastings native needs just four completions next week to break Mike Muma’s season completion record of 190, set in 2001.

            Ross set school records for catches (16) and receiving yards (317) in a game. The old reception record was 15 (Jebb Hatch, vs. Chadron State, 1999) and the yardage record 246 (Ted Murray, vs. Washburn, 1985). The 317 yards it the most by a Division II receiver this year and ties Ross for eight most in Division II history. Dan Fulton, of UNO, also had 317 receiving yards in a 1976 game vs. South Dakota. The Division II record is 401 yards by Kevin Ingram of West Chester (Pa.) in a 1998 game.

            The monstrous total also allowed Ross to shatter his own season receiving record of 1,142 yards, set last season. Ross has caught 68 balls for 1,300 yards and nine TD’s this fall. He is the first Loper to have multiple 1,000 receiving yard seasons.

            Mins also had a big day, catching seven balls for 135 yards and a score. Miller was held in check, netting 61 yards on 26 carries. He did go over 1,000 yards for the season (1,002), the third straight fall he has done that.

            UNK finishes its season next Saturday against league leader Mesa State.