JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A big second quarter helped Nebraska Kearney to defeat the Lincoln football team, 44-0, on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 12).

The Blue Tigers were tough defensively in the first quarter, holding the Lopers to just six points on a two-yard quarterback keeper. UNK opted to attempt a fake kick during the point-after try, but the LU defense was not fooled and tackled the runner well short of the goal line.

The second quarter was the difference maker, however, as Nebraska Kearney (4-2, 4-2 MIAA) out-gained Lincoln (0-6, 0-6 MIAA) in yardage, 263-28, and scored 21 points to secure a 27-0 halftime lead. The Lopers were able to hold onto the ball for much of the second half to leave Dwight T. Reed Stadium with a victory.

Reagan Harrell had a big day punting the ball, averaging 46.8 yards on nine kicks with three pinning the Lopers inside the 20. Harrell had one kick go 71 yards, which is just two yards short of the longest punt by an MIAA kicker in 2019. Tori Hicks led LU's returners with 49 yards, and gained 55 on the ground to finish with a team-high 104 all-purpose yards.

Cecil Stallings had a pair of sacks and three total tackles for loss while matching Austin Harris with seven total takedowns. TeAndre Skinner, who had a tackle for loss, and Chavon Gross, who had 1.5 tackles for loss, tied for the team-lead with nine tackles. Cody Alexander made two tackles for loss and finished with six total takedowns.

Lincoln applied a lot of pressure to the UNK quarterbacks, tallying five hurries, including two by Dawson Brandt. LU allowed only eight completed passes for 157 yards, and Michael Smith had a sack and a hurry to go with three tackles. Quan Mason and Cody Bagby also had hurries, and Vontavious Thacker totaled six tackles while Bri'on Sanders added five.

Hosea Franklin had 49 yards rushing, and Rashaad Harris led LU's receiving corps with five grabs for 23 yards.

Lincoln will be back at home next Saturday (Oct. 19), as the Blue Tigers host Northeastern State in LU's annual Homecoming game. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CDT.