UNK Lopers   7   7   0   14   |  28

Washburn      7   7   0    10  |  24

KEARNEY, NE — There were four lead changes at Cope Stadium as the University of Nebraska-Kearney (UNK) Lopers defeated the Washburn Ichabods in a back and forth battle Saturday afternoon. 

Each team scored on their opening possessions of the game as the first quarter ended in a 7-7 tie. 

The defenses held the edge for most of the second quarter, but the Lopers and Ichabods found the end zone late in the first half. UNK scored on a six-play, 99 yard drive, spurred by a 62 yard run by quarterback T.J. Davis to take a 14-7 lead. 

Washburn responded with a two yard pass from quarterback Mitch Schurig to fullback Connor Searcy just before the break to tie it up at 14. 

The offenses were held in check in the third quarter, but early in the fourth Davis resumed the scoring with a 51-yard touchdown run to put the Lopers up 21-14. 

Again, the Ichabods responded with a seven-play, 64-yard drive to knot things up a 21 apiece. 

On UNK's next drive, Washburn forced a fumble and recovered, setting its offense up in Loper territory. The UNK defense did not break, forcing the Ichabods to settle for a field goal. Washburn lead 24-21 with 8:34 left on the clock. 

UNK began to run short on time, unable to get scores on its next two drives. A stout defense kept them in the game. Eventually, the Loper rushing attack wore down the Ichabod defense and Davis' third score with 57 seconds left gave UNK a 28-24 advantage. 

Washburn's final attempt at a comeback was cut short as safety Darius Swanson sealed the game with an interception. 

Davis finished the game with 258 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries. He also completed 16 of 26 passes for 166 yards. 

Ichabod quarterback Schurig finished 17-31 with 214 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. 

UNK (3-0) hits the road next week to take on Central Missouri. Washburn (2-1) returns home to Topeka to face Missouri Western St.