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KEARNEY – The Loper Football team got back on track Saturday afternoon, getting a much needed win over Washburn at Ron and Carol Cope Stadium.
It was UNK’s Homecoming contest as the Lopers were looking to get back on track, hosting the frustrated Washburn Ichabods (1-3) after both teams held disappointing starts to their season.
The Lopers went scoreless in the first quarter, but held Washburn early with tight defense and critical stops on fourth down as well as sacks on
TJ Davis faked a handoff then plowed towards the goalie. for a short touchdown rumble, giving UNK the lead 6-0 after a missed point after attempt in the second quarter.
Washburn’s offense continued to struggle as the Loper defense continued to suffocate the Ichabods. The UNK offense, however, played more conservative after misfiring on a few deep shots near midfield.
A well placed punt in the mid-second quarter set Washburn inside their own ten yard line. Kearney forced a three-and-out, but the Ichabods would flip the field on a long punt inside of the Kearney 11 yard line.
The Lopers would be unable to finish their drive to end the half, resulting in both teams entering halftime at 6-0. Davis led the way for the Lopers with 68 rushing yards to go with his 6 of 10 passing for 32 yards.
Washburn opened the second half with the ball, but the Loper defense continued to flex their prowess with stops behind the line of scrimmage. After a Washburn punt, UNK gave the ball back to the Ichabods on a fumble at midfield.
The Loper defense stepped up once again, getting sacks and stops after several pass plays following the turnover. A turning point came after a sack by UNK, as the Lopers punt block unit came through, recovering the loose ball at the Washburn eleven.
Davis would put the ball into the belly of running back DeMareus Hosey on a one play drive, giving the Lopers the 13-0 lead midway through the third quarter.
Washburn would return back into the contest, following a long drive to punch in a score to trail 13-7. The third quarter ended with UNK still in the lead, up by six hoping to hold on for a critical win.
UNK’s fourth quarter was off to a good start, scoring on an early possession in the final period. Davis hit Foster for a 42 yard touchdown toss, bringing the Loper lead up to 20-7.
Washburn began to drive close to midfield, as the Loper defense stepped up again. Joko Willis recovered a fumble from Ichabod quarterback Sam Van Dyne, rumbling 35 yards for a score to push the lead 27-7 with less than ten to play.
Washburn began to work the ball with urgency in downfield passing with less than eight minutes to play. The Loper defense would play off the Ichabod receivers, giving yardage but never allowing big plays in the final minutes. The Ichadbods would get into the end zone on a deep slant, converting a goal-to-go situation into six points. The Lopers continued to lead 27-13 with less than four minutes to play in the contest.
Washburn began to burn timeouts as Kearney milked the clock, driving into Washburn territory. on a third and eight, Davis ran near a first down to bring on a fourth and one at the Washburn twenty five. The Ichabods got the stop on a turnover on downs, giving them a last gasp with less than two minutes.
The Ichabods responded quickly – two plays, and a sixty yard touchdown bomb put Washburn right back into the game. Lopers held their lead, 27-21.
UNK would gather the onside kick after a few bounces, giving them the final chance to put a bow on the contest.
The Lopers would put a knee to the turf, ending the contest with a 27-21 improving the Lopers to 2-3 on the year.
Washburn fell to 1-4.
The Lopers travel to upstart Central Missouri on Saturday, Oct. 7. Kickoff is set for 1 PM from Warrensburg, MO.
