The Western New Mexico Mustangs and the University of Nebraska – Kearney had two different strategies going into Saturday's game. WNMU's was to try the air. Quarterback Chris Voller (Albuquerque, NM/Valley High School) (Albuquerque, NM) completed 29 of 63 attempts for 379 yards and three touchdowns. The Lopers' strategy was to stay on the ground. Running back Riley Newcomer finished with 235 yards on 33 carries and two touchdowns. The ground was the most successful in the end. The Lopers defeated the Mustangs 55-34 in a game plagued with turnovers.
The first play by each team resulted in a turnover, but neither could convert on the opportunity. UNK found consistency in their second drive as they patiently marched the length of the field. Newcomer finished the drive off with an 18-yard touchdown.
On the ensuing drive, WNMU put themselves into good field position with three completed passes to John Means (Glendale, AZ/St. Mary's High School) (Glendale, AZ), but a Voller pass was intercepted at the UNK 15. It took only three plays for the Lopers to capitalize and be up 14-0. Jake Spitzlberger caught a 65 yards touchdown.
The Mustangs got on the board at the beginning of the second quarter with a 28-yard field goal by Steve Flores (Peoria, AZ/Peoria High School) (Peoria, AZ), and five minutes later the Mustangs posted seven more points after Voller connected with Means on another reception. This time it was for a touchdown. The 29-yard touchdown was Means' longest reception of the day.
The next UNK drive went the Mustangs' way as WNMU's Darryl Horne (Mesa, AZ/Dobson High School) (Mesa, AZ) ran a fumble back for a touchdown with 8:56 remaining in the half. This was the first and only lead (17-14) the Mustangs would see however; UNK answered with a touchdown of their own just two minutes later.
With just three minutes to go, UNK saw good field position after a high but short punt. It proved costly as Newcomer rushed for his second touchdown of the day to make the score 28-17.
WNMU patience and a 27-yard rush by Sean Tuiofu (Ramona, CA/Ramona High School) (Ramona, CA) allowed the Mustangs to tack on three points with the clock winding down in the half. The Mustangs walked into the locker room down eight, 28-20.
The third and much of the fourth quarter was all UNK as they went on a 27-7 run. Voller finally ended the scoring and gave Means his second touchdown of the day with 5:20 left to play.
Means tallied 127 yards receiving off of nine receptions. Salvador Garcia (Anthony, TX/Anthony HS) (Anthony, TX) did his job once again on the kick returns as he registered 63 yards.
Defensively, Horne led both teams in tackles with nine solo and three assist tackles. He also had one fumble recovery for a touchdown and one interception for 20 yards.
The Mustangs finished with 448 total yards. The Lopers recorded 520. Overall, the two teams combined for eight interceptions and six fumbles.
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