JOPLIN, MO — The Nebraska-Kearney defense held Missouri Southern to just 187 yards and the Lopers defeated the Lions 24-7 in Joplin, MO Thursday night.

The victory means the #14 Lopers (1-0) have won their opening game in six straight seasons. The win didn’t come easy, as the Lions (0-1) repeatedly denied UNK’s efforts to build a big lead in the middle part of the game. UNK safety Darius Swanson broke the game open with an interception return for a touchdown with 9:55 let in the 4th quarter to put the Lopers up 10 points.

UNK’s defense set the tone early by forcing a three-and-out on Missouri Southern’s opening drive. Then, the Lopers mounted a 10-play 85-yard drive capped by a Montrez Jackson touchdown run to establish a 7-0 lead.

The Lions took advantage of good field position set up by a T.J. Davis interception to even the score up at the end of the first quarter. The Loper defense held the Lions to just two first downs of their next five drives.

UNK retook the lead on a 46-yard filed goal by Junior Gonzalez with 4:09 left in the first half. The kick wrapped up a 7-play, 37-yard drive.

The Lopers had a chance to add to their lead before halftime, but the Lions pushed Davis out of bounds just short of the end zone as time expired.

UNK racked up 114 yards in the third quarter but Gonzalez missed two field goals, from 35 and 36 yards out, keeping the score 10-7.

UNK running back Zane Schawang put the game away with a 32-yard touchdown run with 4:37 left in the game.

Overall, the UNK defense held Missouri Southern to 187 total yards a a dismal 1-11 third down conversion rate. The Lopers ran 72 plays compared to the Lions’ 53 plays.

UNK plays its first home game on Thursday, Sep. 8 against Pittsburg State (1-0). Kickoff is at 7:00 from Foster Field at Cope Stadium. You can watch all UNK football home games on News Channel Nebraska.