UNK welcomed Chadron State last weekend at Ron and Carol Cope Stadium. These teams are not unfamiliar with each other, with a history that runs deep.
The Lopers scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to seal the deal with a 41-21 win over the Eagles and keep the Good Life Trophy in Kearney.
“The trophy was looking good in my office and we wanted to keep it here a little bit longer,” said Ryan Held, UNK football coach. “They (the Lopers) went and played the game that we all know and got the job done.”
Abram Scholting earned the starting quarterback position for this matchup after Daron Byren went down in the third quarter of last week’s game. The UNK offense was led by Isaiah Harris and Jahmez Ross. Harris and Ross each played a vital role in some key possessions to push the Lopers forward.
This was Scholting’s second career start, with the first coming against Southwest Minnesota State last season. Held described Scholting as a “winner”.
“It’s guys like Abe (Scholting) that make coming to work fun,” Held said. “Knowing that there are guys like Abe that come and get to work and want to get better makes this job fun.”
Scholting completed 15 of his 27 passes for 134 yards and a rushing touchdown. The offense and defense are working together as one. Each position understands what needs to happen in order to play the game. The offense and defense are working together and understand what each position needs to do to win. Committing zero turnovers and four penalties, there were still a few things that needed to be tweaked.
“There are a few things we need to clean up, but overall, I am pleased with how we are playing,” Held said. “They know this game and just being able to get reps has definitely been a game-changer.”
There were a few key turnovers that helped the Lopers gain an edge over Chadron State. Safety Ife Current intercepted a pass and returned it for a 42-yard touchdown. Parker Wise also intercepted a pass and Harris was able to complete the drive to put the Lopers up 34-14.
Wise, senior linebacker and Kearney High grad, was excited to get back home after a road game and play a game under the lights at Ron and Carol Cope Stadium.
“We knew what we needed to protect the field and the trophy and we did exactly that,” Wise said. “The offense knew what they needed to do, and the defense did what they needed to do. It felt good to come back home and get another win over another in-state rival.”
Trey Prichard added a 25-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to start the Lopers’ 17-point run. Followed by a Kenneth Smith 8-yard touchdown run. In the last minute, Chadron State scored a touchdown, but the game had already been decided.
The Lopers move to 2-0 on the season and head to Kansas to face a 1-1 Fort Hays State team at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13. Fort Hays State was ranked preseason and is coming off a win against ranked Colorado State-Pueblo.
