Loper Athletics
PITTSBURG, KANS. – A valiant effort by the Lopers in the first half held top 25 rated Pittsburg State at bay, but a back-breaking pick six and a furious rally by the Gorillas rallied the home team over UNK.
UNK desperately looked for a bright spot on their season, aiming for a signature win after a 1-2 start to the season. Pittsburg State was 3-0 after a narrow win over Central Missouri the week prior. The Gorillas returned home for their Family Day matchup.
The Lopers started strong, especially defensively. UNK’s “Chaos Tempo” defense forced early mistakes despite giving up ground, tipping an interception in the Loper red zone.
UNK’s offensive drives were short but kept the defense guessing with signature TJ Davis runs and intermixing the pass game. Pitt State would take the first lead, up 3-0 after a chip shot field goal. The Lopers responded with a short drive ending in an interception of a Davis pass.
Pittsburg State again drove into Loper territory, but the Loper defense again stood tall gathering their second pick of the first half. Davis threw a strike on a deep slant to Severyn Foster, who broke two tackles enroute to a 47 yard touchdown catch and run. UNK took the early lead in the second, up 7-3 with 8:15 remaining in the half.
That lead would remain heading into halftime.
Pittsburg State would kick an additional field goal in the third quarter, setting up a second half onslaught by the MIAA preseason favorite.
Cleo Chandler Jr. rumbled down the field first, gashing UNK for a huge gain followed by the first touchdown of the day for the Gorillas from ten yards out. Dodson Jr. then completed a short touchdown toss to Kam Gillespie to continue to extend the lead 19-7 in the third quarter.
UNK’s hopes seemingly ran thin as quarterback TJ Davis was picked off, ending in a pick-six by Pitt State. UNK trailed 26-7 in the fourth.
Zane Schawang got a one yard rushing score, bringing the game to 12, but UNK finally broke on a late rushing touchdown by Ty Pennington to put away the Lopers, as Pittsburg State rolled to a 32-14 win in the Jungle.
UNK ended with 112 rushing yards and 165 passing yards, going 4/12 on third down, and lost the time of possession battle by nearly fifteen minutes. The Lopers (1-3) return to Ron & Carol Cope Stadium to host Washburn on homecoming night next Saturday.
