KEARNEY, Neb. — For the first time ever in a typical spring practice season, the Nebraska-Kearney football team is preparing to compete against someone not wearing blue.

The Lopers will play a scrimmage against fellow Div. ll opponent Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday. UNK and the team from Minnesota are meeting partway at Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs.

Second-year Loper head coach Ryan Held hopes to see which of his players can execute on offense, defense and special teams.

“I want to see who can compete," Held said. "On the sideline, can we communicate? Who’s going to stay focused throughout the whole scrimmage and dialed in? Who can go and be physical?”

The scrimmage is possible thanks to new NCAA legislation that allows an exhibition as part of a team’s 15 spring practices.

Each team is traveling about 70 guys. They won’t formally keep score and teams are supposed to avoid hitting quarterbacks and kickers. The game is free and open to the public. Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m.