Via UNK Athletics:

Kearney, Neb. – Junior quarterback Daron Bryden threw two touchdown passes to junior receiver Jaden Jude and Nebraska Kearney scored 21 points off turnovers to down Missouri Western State, 27-7, Saturday afternoon at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium.

It was "Homecoming" and the Lopers only home game in October. UNK (5-2, 3-2) has now taken five of the last seven meetings with the Griffons (1-5, 0-4).

"Their record didn't show it, but we knew it wouldn't be an easy game for us especially the way they are against the run. They are as good as there is in our league," said UNK Head Coach Ryan Held. "So, we knew we had to throw the ball, and we were able to hit on some plays. We also took care of the football and then scored on defense."

On a windy day at Foster Field, UNK struck first as Bryden (Enfield, Conn.) threw a 78-yard scoring pass to redshirt freshman receiver Dae'vonn Hall (Bellevue West) five minutes into the action. Mo West came in leading the MIAA in rush defense but ranked last in pass defense. They also only had five sacks, but backer Brecken Manus got to Bryden on two of UNK's first three plays.

While the Lopers PAT was blocked, Mo West misfired on field goals of 27 and 39 yards in the first half. Early on the Griffs had a huge advantage in plays' run and time of possession but the Lopers countered with a 12-play, seven-minute drive in the second quarter. While the drive ended with a fourth down stop, the defense held Mo West again and it was 6-0 at the half.

"Hats off to our defense for the last two weeks. They've played at a very elite level," said Held. "I took the ball (to start) because we wanted the wind in the fourth. We had to make some plays against the wind which we did."

UNK came in as one of the nation's leaders in turnovers gained and was at it again to start the second half. Junior backer Dylan Jordan (Pittsburg) swiped at Griffon veteran back Brandon Hall and recovered the loose ball at the 41-yard line. After Bryden hit redshirt freshman back Jahmez Ross (Omaha Westside) for a 24-yard gain, he found Jude (Athens, Ala.) for a 20-yard score and a 13-0 lead.

"Unbelievable catch by Jude on the glance round. Throw was behind him but was able to make a contested catch," said Held.

Reserve QB Braden Berwald then entered and led his team on an eight-play, 71-yard drive that ended with a 20-yard TD toss to redshirt freshman receiver Crew Myers with five minutes left in the third. However, junior end Koren Conrad (Kearney Catholic) sacked Berwald on the Griffs next drive with the offense moving the ball bit to start the fourth.

Junior punter Marty Mormino (Omaha Westside) then pinned Mo West at its own nine-yard line. Three plays later junior corner Ja'Mareion Gipson (Houston) picked off Berwald at the 19-yard line. Bryden and Jude then hooked up from 21-yards out for a two-score lead.

Third-string QB Kody Kirk entered and then threw a 34-yard "pick six" to Gipson to complete the scoring. Gipson, among the MIAA's leaders in passes, dove for the pick, got up and raced down the sidelines for UNK's second INT for points this fall.

"I really like our defense. They play hard and coach (Tim) Schaffner and the staff are good at what they do," said Held. "We see them every day in practice to we know how good they are. Due to some injuries today, we also had some guys step up there."

Bryden finished 10 of 19 for 192 yards, those three scores, no INT's and had a long run of seven yards. Next, Ross had a team-best 46 rushing yards on 12 attempts with reserve QB Abram Scholting (Pierce) at 22 yards. On the perimeter, Jude had 61 receiving yards on four catches with Ross and redshirt freshman Ryker Evans (Elwood) at two catches apiece.

"We're still a work in progress offensively. Had some new guys in there today like (back) Stone Wilson and (right guard) Maddox Georgius," said Held.

In his first career start, sophomore safety Saieed Hasan (Peoria, Ariz.) made seven tackles as did junior backer Parker Wise (Kearney). He also had a 19-yard sack on a play where MWSU was called for intentional grounding. Finally, Gipson had two pass breakups and five tackles besides his two INT's with Jordan at six stops (five solo).

Manus led the Griffs with seven tackles, including three sacks for 25 yards. Hall (15 carries, 84 yards) and Myers (seven catches, 71 yards) paced the offense which was 3 of 14 on third and fourth down.

UNK heads to Missouri Southern next Saturday. The Lions (2-4, 0-4) fell to Emporia State, 31-24, today in Kansas.