Nebraska–Kearney Lopers football

Nebraska–Kearney Lopers football
First season	1905 (1905)
Athletic director	Marc Bauer
Head coach	Ryan Held 1st season, 3–8 (.273)
Location	Kearney, Nebraska
Stadium	Ron & Carol Cope Stadium (capacity: 5,250)
Field	Foster Field
NCAA division	Division II
Conference	The MIAA
Colors	Blue and gold
All-time record	580–399–37 (.589)
Conference championships
32
Rivalries	Fort Hays State
Fight song	"We Fight for UNK!"
Mascot	Louie
Outfitter	Under Armour
Website	www.lopers.com

The Nebraska–Kearney Lopers football program represents the University of Nebraska at Kearney in college football and competes in the NCAA Division II. In 2012, Nebraska–Kearney became a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. UNK's home games are played at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium in Kearney, Nebraska.

History

Nebraska–Kearney's football program dates back to 1905 when the program went 0–5–1. Since their inaugural season the Lopers claim 32 conference championships.

Conference affiliations

• 1916–1927 Nebraska College Athletic Conference
• 1928–1942 Nebraska Intercollegiate Athletic Association
• 1943–1975 Nebraska College Conference
• 1976–1989 Central States Intercollegiate Conference
• 1990–1995 NCAA Division II independent
• 1996–2011 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
• 2012–present: Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association

Stadium

Main article: Ron & Carol Cope Stadium

The Lopers have played their home games at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium since 1939. The current capacity of the stadium is at 5,250.

Postseason appearances

NCAA Division II

The Lopers have made five appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 2–5.

Year	Round	Opponent	Result
2002	First Round	Texas A&M–Kingsville	L, 40–58
2005	First Round	Pittsburg State	L, 20–49
2009	First Round Second Round	Saginaw Valley Minnesota Duluth	W, 35–20 L, 7–42
2011	Second Round	Wayne State (MI)	L, 14–38
2021	First Round Second Round	Western Colorado Angelo State	W, 31–24 L, 7–20

NAIA

The Lopers, then known as the Antelopes, made four appearances in the NAIA playoffs, with a combined record of 1–4.

Year	Round	Opponent	Result
1963	Semifinals	Prairie View A&M	L, 7–20
1977	Semifinals	SW Oklahoma State	L, 7–21
1979	Quarterfinals	Central State (OK)	L, 22–42
1980	Quarterfinals Semifinals	Mars Hill Northeastern State	W, 9–6 OT L, 0–14

All-time record vs. current MIAA teams

Official record (including any NCAA imposed vacates and forfeits) against all current MIAA opponents as of the end of the 2015 season:

Opponent Won Lost Tied Percentage Streak First Meeting Central Missouri 2 7 0 .222 Lost 5 1960 Central Oklahoma 2 5 0 .286 Lost 1 1979 Emporia State 12 9 0 .571 Lost 3 1975 Fort Hays State 34 29 1 .539 Lost 7 1926 Lindenwood 2 4 0 .333 Lost 3 2012 Missouri Southern 9 7 0 .563 Won 1 1977 Missouri Western 17 11 0 .607 Won 1 1970 Northeastern State 4 4 0 .500 Won 1 1960 Northwest Missouri State 3 11 0 .214 Lost 6 1928 Pittsburg State 8 12 0 .400 Lost 10 1974 Washburn 14 12 0 .538 Lost 9 1963 Totals 107 110 1 .493

External links

• Official website