Mesa State (0-2, 0-1) allowed 21-first quarter points to the #23-ranked Nebraska-Kearney Lopers Saturday afternoon in Kearney. UNK scored just 10 points in the final three quarters but rode its first quarter success to a 31-9 victory.
MSC scored its first touchdown of the season in the second quarter on an 18-yard pass reception from Michael Mankoff to Buddy Blevins. A safety by Nainoa Campbell early in the fourth quarter (11:47) pushed the Mavs point total to nine.
The Mavericks defense held the Lopers scoreless in the fourth quarter and allowed just three points in the second half. UNK's 29-yard field goal with 5:46 remaining in the third quarter was one of two field goal attempts in the third quarter. The Lopers' Michael Gruber missed a 31-yard field goal early in the third quarter.
UNK's second quarter touchdown came with 29 seconds remaining in the first half. The Lopers scored following an MSC interception picked off at the MSC 49-yard line and returned 33 yards to the Mavs 16-yard line. Three plays later the Lopers hooked up on a 14-yard touchdown reception and a 28-7 halftime lead.
MSC's first offensive series of the game was a 43-yard drive deep in to Loper territory including a 20-yard run on a fake punt by Michael Brady. The drive stalled at the UNK 17-yard line and a Caleb Pavy's 35-yard field goal attempt was blocked. UNK drove 80 yards on the ensuing series for a 7-0 lead.
MSC failed to make a first down on the next series and were forced to punt. UNK took advantage of great field position and drove 47 yards in five plays and a 14-0 lead. UNK's Jake Spitzlberger 18-yard pass completion to Kyle Kaiser was the first of two touchdown passes for Spitzlberger.
On the ensuing kickoff MSC's Seth Matheson returned the ball 22 yards to the UNK 32-yard line. MSC failed to make a first down and on fourth and seven from their own 35-yard line, the Lopers blocked a Brady punt. UNK's Corey Morten scooped up the ball and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown with 41 seconds left in the first quarter.
MSC pulled to within 21-7 on the Mankoff to Blevins touchdown pass. UNK's final touchdown came late in the second quarter following an interception. UNK's Sam Kuck picked off a Mankoff pass and returned it 33 yards to the MSC 16-yard line. Spitzlberger's 14-yard touchdown pass to Dane Rudeen gave the Lopers a 28-7 halftime lead.
UNK kicked a 29-yard field goal with 5:46 (31-7) remaining in the third quarter and were shutout in the fourth quarter.
Campbell's safety was set up by Brady's 43-yard punt to the UNK 1-yard line. On third and nine from the UNK 2-yard line, Campbell tackled Ryan Skogg for the Mavs final points of the game.
MSC carried the ball 36 times for 77 yards. Three MSC quarterbacks saw action Saturday afternoon. Mankoff (10-22-1) threw for 95 yards and one touchdown. Robert Felberg (1-6-0) netted eight yards and Jason Haferman (0-4-0) saw action in the fourth quarter.
James Hamm led the rushing game with 28 yards on eight carries. Buddy Blevins had three receptions for 32 yards and one touchdown. Sean Matheson had four kickoff returns for 87 yards with a long of 29 yards.
Defensively Spencer McAdoo had a game high 10 tackles including seven solo tackles. Tanner Whaley and Chad Benkelman had nine tackles each. MSC had three sacks in the game (Tony Kelly, Josh Andrews, and Connor Wright) for a loss of 13 yards.
MSC will host New Mexico Highlands in its home opener Saturday 1 p.m. at Stocker Stadium.
