UNK football improved to 5-2 on the season after hosting Missouri Western on Saturday. The Lopers ended homecoming weekend with a 27-7 victory to put them back in the win column before their next two games on the road.
There were a few drives that kept the Lopers’ energy up after a slow game between the two opponents.
“We haven’t won this game since I have been here, so hats off to these guys,” said coach Ryan Held.
The last time the Lopers won at home against Missouri Western was 2021, before Held took over as head coach.
UNK struck first when redshirt junior quarterback Daron Bryden connected with redshirt freshman wide receiver Dae’vonn Hall for a 78-yard touchdown early in the first quarter. UNK would not score again until the third quarter.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Jaden Jude was also put to work during this matchup. Jude scored two touchdowns for 61 yards, the second most yards by the Lopers for the game.
Jude described himself as a physical receiver.
“Some spots and positions are going to be smaller than me, so being able to get in and make plays is something that I look for in every opportunity I get and use it to my advantage as well,” Jude said.
Jude also mentioned how he and Daron Bryden formed a connection that people can now see working on the field.
“DB (Bryden), that’s my guy,” Jude said. “We got here together in the spring, so it felt nice to have someone to connect with on a more personal level, and I think that people can see that on and off the field too,” Jude said.
Saturday was the Lopers’ only home game for the month of October. UNK is in the midst of a road-heavy portion of its season. Staying as physically healthy as possible is going to be key to the success of the Lopers.
However, the team started a couple of new faces due to injuries, but Held knew that they were capable.
“We’re still a work in progress, but there are a few that stepped up when we really needed it,” Held said. “Had some new guys out there, like Stone Wilson (redshirt junior running back) and Maddox Georgius (redshirt freshman right guard) got his first start today as well.”
UNK is gearing up for two more road games before the team comes back in early November for its last two games at home. UNK will first face off with the Lions from Missouri Southern at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, and then on the road again the following weekend against the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25.
