September 4, 2004

Football Continues Wayne Dominance

Perry Comes in For Injured Samuelson

            Kearney, NE – Junior wideout Richie Ross had another big day and the Nebraska-Kearney defense shut down Wayne State, 33-7, Saturday afternoon at Foster Field.

            The homer opener for UNK (1-1), the win helps the Lopers snap a three game losing streak, dating back to last year, and continues the dominance over the Wildcats (0-2). UNK has won 40 of the last 42 meetings between the two.

            After catching 10 balls and scoring three times last week at UNO, Ross had seven catches for 190 yards and two scores today. The Lincoln native has 26 career TD catches, just three shy of the school record, set by Trevor Weston (1997-00).

            The effort also marked Ross’ eighth career game over 160 yards receiving. 

            The Loper defense turned in the play of the game early in the fourth. Ahead 19-7, Wayne was driving for a score when QB Brett Edwards found Josh Hopwood at the goal line. But instead of scoring, Hopwood saw the ball punched away by a UNK safety and it rolled out of the end zone, giving the Lopers the ball at their own 20-yard line.

            The Lopers then scored seven plays later as senior QB Eric Perry (Kearney) hooked up with Ross from 44 yards out. UNK tacked on another TD after Wayne’s punter dropped the ball deep in Wildcat territory, leading to an eight yard run by junior RB Steve Bremmer (Northglenn, Colo.) 

            Perry, who finished 6 of 8 for 155 yards, came into the game in the third quarter in place of an injured Casey Samuleson. The Grand Island native, bothered by a bad throwing shoulder all fall, was 9 of 15 for 132 yards and one score before he left. He also rushed for a score in the second quarter.

            Senior RB Mike Miller (Littleton, Colo.) got on track in the second half rushing for 56 yards on 11 carries. He finished the day with 78 yards on 18 carries.

            UNK’s defense held Wayne to a 3.4 yard average per play as Edwards was just 13 of 32 for 159 yards, one INT and one TD and a stable of Wayne backs ran for 84 yards on 39 carries (2.2 ypc).

            “Defensively, we responded well. You hold a modern day football team to seven points, you got something going,” UNK head football coach Darrell Morris said. “I also think we outlasted them. The players work very hard in summer conditioning and I think that showed up in the second half.”

             Senior ILB Jered Butts (Colo. Springs, Colo.) led the defense with eight stops while nine other Lopers made at least four tackles. That group included four safeties – Yly Rock (Aurora, Colo.), James Rosenbaum (Elkhorn), Tim Baack (Bloomfield) and Paul Jimenez (Chino, Calif.), -- who combined to make 17 tackles.

             UNK plays at Northern State, another NSIC team, next Saturday at 3:00 p.m.