Mesa State football closed out the 2008 season with a 63-10 loss at the University of Nebraska Kearney Saturday afternoon dropping their third consecutive league game. The loss eliminates MSC from any post season play, a victory would have extended the season with a bid to the Rotary Bowl in St. George, Utah on December 6. MSC ends the year 6-5 overall and 6-3 in RMAC action.

                Trailing 21-3 at half, the Lopers scored 42 points in the second half handing the Mavericks their worst loss of the year. UNK rushed for 270 yards and passed for 262, doubling the Mavs 230-yards of total offense. MSC was held to just 88 yards rushing and turned the ball over on three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.

                MSC's Jared Keating kicked a 52-yard field goal, his longest of the season, in the second quarter after the Mavs drive stalled at the UNK 41-yard line. Keating was 1-for-2 on the day as the Lopers blocked a 33-yard attempt in the first quarter.

                Kris Means scored the only touchdown for the Mavericks on a 1-yard rush with 4:22 remaining in the third quarter. Bobby Coy led all MSC rushers with 21 carries for 83 yards. Wide Receiver Justin Murray finished with three catches for 77 yards. Quarterback Phil Vigil completed eight passes for 128 yards and had one intercepted.

                On the year Coy rushed for 1600 yards on 295 attempts and is tied with Michael Vaughn, Mesa's all-time leading rusher (4,161).

                Chadron State will host Wayne State (NE) in the first round of the NCAA Division II tournament. Colorado School Mines will play Western Washington in the Rotary Bowl on December 6 in St. George, Utah.