Kearney, Neb. – In likely a first in the 109-year history of Nebraska-Kearney football, a game will take two days to complete.

Due to severe weather, the UNK and Washburn game was postponed until Friday at 11:00 a.m. with the Ichabods holding a 27-7 lead with 11:59 to go in the 3rd quarter. The game can be heard on-line at KGFW.com. The game will also be available on Stretch Internet for those who've purchases a game or season pass.

The contest, which kicked off at 6:00 p.m. Thursday night, was halted just before 8:00 p.m. The teams waited over 90 minutes before deciding to resume play on Friday.

Washburn built its lead by tallying 14 points right off the bat. After a 41 yard kick return to start play, junior quarterback Derek McGinnis threw a 65-yard scoring pass to senior receiver Jordan Hart on the very first play from scrimmage.  

The Lopers, on the strength of runs of 13 and 17 yards by seniors Romero Cotton and Bronson Marsh, were moving the ball down the field but Washburn forced a fumble after a completed pass. They pounced on the loose ball at their own 44 yard line.

Washburn almost returned the favor as, on 2nd and 25, senior running back Brandon Bourbon was hit by sophomore safety George Brown (University City, Mo). Bourbon fumbled, after an 18-yard gain, but WU left tackle Michael Miller recovered the ball at the Loper 14-yard line.

On 3rd and 7, McGinnis found senior receiver Connor Crimmins for a 14-yard gain and a touchdown.

UNK got back into the game as Marsh (Millard South H.S.) threw an 11-yard pass to sophomore tight end Sam Brauer (Seward) on 3rd and 7. Three plays later, Marsh tossed a 46-yard scoring strike to sophomore receiver Tityus Mitchell (Hastings, Fla.).

The two teams then traded punts before Washburn took advantage of a short boot to start at midfield with 9:44 to go in the 2nd quarter. After converting on 3rd and 7, McGinnis threw a nine-yard TD pass to junior receiver Bryce Chavis.

On the play before the score, a completed Washburn pass was ruled as down by contact; it could've been ruled a fumble and a big return for the Lopers.

Late in the first half, co-captains Tyke Kozeal (Sargent) and Dillon Loschen (Columbus) stopped running back Hayden Groves for a three yard loss on 4th and 2. That allowed UNK to take possession at its own 38-yard line.

To start the second half, Marsh hooked up with Mtichell for an 18-yard gain on 3rd and 9. However, redshirt freshman corner Dwane Simmons picked of Marsh three plays later and brought the ball all the way back to the Loper four.

On 3rd and goal, McGinnis scored on a QB sneak. So far, the Crete native and former North Dakota State Bison is 9 of 16 for 141 yards and three TD's. Hart has four catches for 120 yards with Bourbon, a Kansas transfer, at 58 yards on 11 carries.

For UNK, Marsh is 9 of 21 for 121 yards, one TD and two INT's. He also has rushed 10 times for 17 yards as three sacks have resulted in 16 lost yards. Cotton (Hutchinson, Kans.) has 46 yards on 12 carries with Mitchell at four catches for 83 yards.

Defensively, Kozeal already has nine tackles (five solo) with fellow backer Devontay LeFlore (Omaha Central H.S.) and Loschen at four a piece.