MIAA Preview: Nebraska-Kearney
JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM
Nebraska-Kearney running back Isaiah Harris hauls in a pass on Sept 7, 2024, against Northwest in Kearney.
EMPORIA, Kan. — Nebraska-Kearney was picked to finish last in the MIAA last season, but changed that perspective early with a 2-0 start — beating Chadron State and Northwest Missouri State — and opening eyes across the MIAA and the country.
In Year 2 under Ryan Held, the Lopers ended up going 5-6 overall and made significant strides from the 2-8 year in Year 1.
“We feel really good about our summer and the work that we’ve done,” Held said. “We have finally gotten to a point where every position is very competitive which is what we’ve wanted to do.
“I think that our culture is really good and I think that we are recruiting the right kids.”
One of the biggest reason for the surprise season last year was the emergence of Isaiah Harris as one of the best running backs in the MIAA. Harris finished with 159 carries for 825 yards and seven touchdowns.
“I just know that I want to be better than I was the year before,” Harris said. “And now that I know what it looks like, that is going to be easier for me to do and break that wall.”
The Nebraska Cornhusker transfer is also the team’s top returning receiver with 19 catches for 195 yards.
“I’m just excited,” Harris said. “I’ve been excited since January. Seeing all the young guys and everybody being bought into the program is nice to see.”
Figuring out the passing game is the key for the Lopers with quarterback Regan Jones gone as well as top receivers Reggie Anderson, Shane Dailey Jr., Dijmon Wheeler and Stephen Lewis.
Sophomore Abram Scholting returns at quarterback after starting one game last year with Jones out. He completed 22-of-33 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns. The team also added Stony Brook transfer Daron Bryden to the mix.
“About four or five plays last year and we are 8-3, but it doesn’t matter,” Held said. “You can’t hit reset. It is not a video game, so we have to be able to continue to close out in the fourth quarter and be ready to roll.”
As pass catchers, the team has Eastern Michigan transfer tight end C.J. Horton and a pair of Nebraska transfers at receiver — Ryker Evans and Dae’vonn Hall — among other transfers.
Running back Zane Schawang has also shifted to wide receiver this season.
The Loper line is the strength of the offense outside of Harris. Left guard Wyatt Marr was Third Team All-MIAA last season. Center Carter Klein, right guard Matt Beyer and tackle Shayne Brennen also return.
The defense was impressive last season, allowing 21.5 points per game. That group was led by First Team All-MIAA defensive end Quillan Felton, who had 66 tackles, 17 1/2 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
“We have the chance to be really good on the D-line again,” Held said. “… We have a lot of depth. Our interior D-tackle depth, I’ve never had as a head coach.”
With Felton gone, the defensive line is going to rely on the group collectively to pick up the slack. Senior Jack Johnson is one of the leaders in the linemen room.
“We lost a couple on defense, but we’ve got some young guys who maybe haven’t played, but they are ready to make an impact,” Johnson said.
The Lopers also have a 2-way lineman with freshman Cole Luedtke.
“He will play both ways,” Held said. “I don’t know if that happens in college football at a line position, but he has a chance to be really good.”
Linebacker Parker Wise leads the team on the second level after having 45 tackles, 6 1/2 tackles for loss and 3 1/2 sacks a year ago.
The secondary is a strength with safety CJ Kuehl and cornerback Jovan Marsh returning. Marsh had 45 tackles while Kuehl had 22.
The Lopers have a fun non-conference slate to open the season with the two other Division-II teams in the state of Nebraska. They travel to Wayne State in Week 0 then host Chadron State in Week 1 before a road trip to Fort Hays State to open the MIAA slate.
“It is big for our alumni, our fans, and it is big for our players because they have a lot of Nebraska kids and Midwest kids that our kids know,” Held said of the in-state games.
