ALEX ELLER
ellerag@lopers.unk.edu
UNK came into Saturday’s matchup against Northeastern State with one thing on its mind: run the ball. Run the ball they did, as the Lopers nearly pilled up a school record with 593 yards on the ground in a 45-10 victory.
“We say it all the time, we are going to set everything up with the run and we’re going to pick our spots when we throw,” said UNK coach Josh Lynn.
What made the win even more special was this was the first time UNK has won a homecoming game since 2011. This dates back to their last seen in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
Throughout the year Northeastern State has continually struggled to stop the run. Through the first five games of the season, they have given up 1,175 yards on the ground. The Lopers knew of these struggles and worked throughout the week to exploit it.
“Nothing changed, it was the same stuff that we saw on film,” said redshirt senior running back David Goodwin. “For us to come out here and play like that, I’m pretty proud of my boys.”
The scoring for UNK started very early in the game. After a punt of 17 yards by Tim Davis, the Lopers started on the Riverhawks 37-yard line. A 21-yard quarterback keeper by TJ Davis and then a 16-yard run on the right side by Goodwin resulted in a touchdown.
Incredibly the Lopers scored even faster on their second drive than their first. With the ball on their own 28, UNK’s offensive line flattened the Northeastern defensive line. As a result, there were gaping holes. Goodwin took the handoff from Davis and was hardly touched as he went 72-yards for his second touchdown in less than five minutes into the game.
On his third touch of the game, Goodwin broke the 100-yard mark. Backed up inside their own five, the Lopers handed the ball off to him and he broke free to the 24-yard line. Hastings native Dayton Sealey took the next handoff and broke free down the left side for 62-yards. Senior Darrius Webb took care of the rest with a nine-yard touchdown run on the next play. After the extra point by Junior Gonzalez, UNK led 21-0.
As well as the offense played for the Lopers, the defense was just as good. Making his first start for the injured Rakid Hill, Jacey Nutter was the star of the day for UNK. The Thedford, NE product had 7 tackles, 5 assisted tackles, and 1 sack on the day. Altogether the Lopers held Northeastern under 250 passing and rushing yards and only 10 points.
“This year on defense we’re focusing on playing as one and playing as a team,” said redshirt senior linebacker Sal Silvio. The Lopers tacked on 17 more points in the second quarter, thanks to a 3-yard run by Davis and a 51-yard run by Webb. At halftime, UNK led the Riverhawks 38-3.
First half productivity carried over to the second half for the Lopers. Davis came out and completed a 22-yard pass to redshirt senior Sedarius Young. Add in a three-yard rush by Sealey and a yard rush by Davis and UNK was in the end zone once again.
Up 45-3, the Lopers turned to their second-stringers to finish the game. Though they didn’t score, there were individual performers who did well.
One of those players was Garret Meyer the redshirt sophomore from Omaha, Ne. He carried the ball 11 times and picked up 113 yards on the ground.
“It’s great to see them play and those are valuable reps. They haven’t got to see the field a lot, but it’s good to see them go in and execute,” Lynn said.
For the older veteran players, it was a great feeling to see their teammates who work hard in practice touch the field.
“It was awesome to see them play, it was actually better than playing yourself. They’re working hard every day in practice just like we are. They usually don’t get as many plays, so anytime they get out there it’s awesome to see their hard work pay off. Each and every one of them that stepped in knew what they were doing and flew around and made some plays,” Silvio said.
Next week, UNK travels to Jefferson City, Missouri to take on Lincoln University (0-5). Game time is set for 2 p.m. on Oct. 12.
