TJ Davis receiving the ball
JD Raderraderjd@gmail.com
The Washburn Ichabods came to Ron and Carol Cope Stadium
Saturday and spoiled UNK’s final game of the season, winning 57-41.
A disappointing first half where Washburn went six-for-six
on drives ending with a touchdown, five-for-six on third down conversions, and
amassed 452 yards of total offense, ultimately proved the difference.
“Disappointing first half,” Head Coach Josh Lynn said. “Our
kids have answered the bell all year long when it comes to getting ready for
games but came out flat today and Washburn did a great job. You have to play
four quarters of football because every team in the MIAA is very good, and I
thought that was very evident today.”
The Lopers didn’t go down without a fight, however. After
Washburn scored once again on their first drive of the third quarter, making
the score 48-14, redshirt-junior Dayton Sealey (Hastings) got UNK back on track
with a 33-yard touchdown run.
The offense continued the momentum, putting up 20 points in
the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough. Washburn scored one more touchdown
and returned UNK’s last PAT attempt to make the final score 57-41.
The Ichabods used a dynamic run game to gain the advantage
over the Lopers. Washburn had a total of 343 rushing yards on 46 attempts for
an average of 7.5 yards per carry with five touchdowns.
Redshirt-freshman TJ Davis (Colorado Springs, Colo.) led the
UNK in rushing with 123 yards and one touchdown. The Loper quarterback also had
187 yards through the air and two touchdowns.
Senior LaRoy James (Opa-Locka, Fla.) and redshirt-sophomore
Jacey Nutter (Thedford) totaled double-digit tackles on the day.
The Lopers finished the season 6-5 and fifth in the MIAA,
their best finish since joining the conference. Overall, it has been the best
season for UNK since 2010, where they went 10-2 and made the Div. II Playoffs.
“I’m proud of where we are with Loper football,” said
Lynn. “I’m going to say this too … we have a good athletic program here in
Kearney, Nebraska. We have a volleyball team that tonight has a chance to go
undefeated. We have a top-five wrestling program. We got a football team that
is making strides to be better. We’re knocking down walls. I’m proud to be part
of that.”
The 25 seniors that were honored for senior night on
Saturday have had their fair share of struggles, but have shown improvement
during their time at UNK. In 2015, UNK didn’t win a single game. Now, even when
Lopers don’t come out victorious, they are battling every game and losing
close. Most people, including Lynn, believe this trend will continue.
“We took this thing over three years ago and nobody ever
counted on the Lopers,” he said. “This group has made leaps and strides up, and
they are really the foundation of this football program as we move forward
here.”
For the second time in program history, UNK football is bowl
bound. They will play Winona State (8-3) out of the NSIC in the 53rd
annual Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Missouri at 12 p.m. on December
7.