All UNK football home games are broadcast on News Channel Nebraska TV.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Nebraska-Kearney football team will be playing with a chip on its shoulder in 2024.

In preseason polls released Tuesday, the league’s coaches and media both chose the Lopers to finish last in the MIAA. UNK finished 3-8 last season under first-year head coach Ryan Held with two wins coming against teams that are no longer in the conference.

Held said at the MIAA media day on Tuesday that he’s confident the offseason has made the Lopers better, but understands the ranking.

“I’ve never been picked last in my life, but that’s OK," Held said. "It will be up in our locker room every single day to motivate us because that’s where we’re at. The beauty of life is if you want to prove people wrong, prove them wrong.”

UNK returns 34 letterwinners and 13 starters (six defense, four offense and three special teams). Defensive lineman Quillan Felton is the lone returning Loper who made an all-conference list in 2023.

“I like being picked last, just enjoying trying to fill that void of giving yourself a chip to play with,” Felton said.

The Lopers scored just 19 points per game last season. Held hopes transfer quarterback Reagan Jones (Missouri Western) can help add points to the scoreboard in the fall. Jones is focusing on becoming a leader on his new team.

“I’ve grown up a little bit, matured a lot and definitely filled into the shoes that I always thought I could,” Jones said.

Fall camp begins on Monday, Aug. 5, with the opener set for Thursday, Aug. 29, at Chadron State. 

MIAA Coaches Poll (1st Place) – Points

1. Central Missouri [8] - 80 points

2. Pittsburg State [2] - 73 points

3. Northwest Missouri - 58 points

4. Emporia State - 56 points

5. Fort Hays State - 55 points

6. Missouri Western - 42 points

7. Central Oklahoma - 31 points

8. Missouri Southern - 24 points

9. Washburn - 16 points

10. UNK - 15 points

 

2024 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL

1. Central Missouri [20] - 254 points

2. Pittsburg State [6] - 231 points

3. Northwest Missouri - 199 points

4. Missouri Western - 158 points

5. Fort Hays State - 155 points

6. Emporia State - 145 points

7. Central Oklahoma - 94 points

8. Missouri Southern - 81 points

9. Washburn - 60 points

10. UNK - 53 points