Pitt State is riding high off three straight wins, and they will look to keep that momentum going this weekend when they host the Nebraska Kearney Lopers. The Lopers are currently 4-1, having just come off a 34-21 win over the Washburn University Ichabods.
Pitt State has overcome some early season troubles. Having sat at 0-2 throughout the first two weeks, they are now back in the win column. Last week, the Gorillas offense took off as the ground game exploded for a whopping total ground yardage of 395 yards, with 353 of those yards coming from senior running back Cleo Chandler Jr. and junior running back Zahmari Palode-Gary.
The defense came up huge as well with three different fourth down stops, holding the Emporia Hornets to 29 points. Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Osahon Ogbevoen had himself a blocked extra point, which was his second blocked kick of the season.
Nebraska Kearney has had a strong start to the season, but they have not been able to break into the top 25 yet this year. A lack of strong teams has led to the Lopers having not faced a ranked opponent yet. This means that the upcoming game against the Gorillas will likely be the best and possibly only chance for them to prove they are worthy of being ranked, so they will be amped up to play the Gorillas.
The Lopers offense has made the ground game their bread and butter, as they consistently pound the opposing defenses. Pitt State has been weak defending the ground games at times, so they will need to execute with the stronger run stopping in mind. As a rush first offense, the passing attack has been somewhat limited for the Lopers, as they are unable to push the ball downfield consistently. If the Gorillas can score quickly, they can force the Lopers into a passing game that will put them at a disadvantage.
Nebraska Kearney has a strong defense, one that is very good at forcing turnovers. Having recovered five different fumbles and seven interceptions in their first five games, the defense will look to force the Gorillas into some simple mistakes, which the Gorillas will have to guard against.
If the Gorillas can run up the score early and force the Lopers into a passing game, they will have the edge, forcing them to play one dimensionally. The Gorillas will have to look to prevent simple and avoidable mistakes, as it will not take much of a lead before Nebraska Kearney tries to run the game out.
Kickoff will be at 2 p.m., as the Gorillas look to keep on with their winning ways.
According to University of Nebraska at Kearney cross-country head coach, Brady Bonsall in a 2011 interview, “The pronghorn antelope is an animal that is indigenous to the great plains of the United States. Over the years that antelope nickname just became the Lopers.”