The energy in Kearney on a Saturday afternoon is something else. Honestly, if you haven’t walked through the tailgating lots near Ron & Carol Cope Stadium right before kickoff, you’re missing out on the true heartbeat of Division II football in Nebraska. People often get caught up in the Lincoln hype, but the university of nebraska kearney football schedule brings its own brand of grit and MIAA intensity that is hard to beat.
Last season was a wild ride. The Lopers finished 6-5 overall, which sounds modest until you look at the absolute gauntlet they ran. They were basically a couple of plays away from a completely different postseason conversation. If you're looking for the breakdown of where they've been and where the program is heading as we look toward the 2026 spring ball and beyond, you’ve come to the right place.
The 2025 Campaign: A Recap of the Grind
Looking back at the most recent full university of nebraska kearney football schedule, the Lopers started with a bang. They took down Wayne State 28-21 in a Thursday night thriller to open the season in August. It set a tone. Then came the home opener against Chadron State on September 6th—a 41-21 blowout that had Cope Stadium rocking.
But the MIAA is a beast.
- September 13: A tough 7-26 loss at Fort Hays State.
- September 20: Rebounded at home against Emporia State, winning 34-20.
- September 27: A nail-biter in Topeka, beating Washburn 31-24.
The middle of the season was where things got dicey. Road trips to Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri State are never easy. The Lopers got shut out 0-14 in Maryville, which was a tough pill to swallow for an offense that usually finds a way to move the sticks. However, they showed real heart by coming back to beat Central Oklahoma 35-24 in November.
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Key Performance Markers
Kearney’s defense was actually among the best in the nation in specific categories last year. They lead the league in sacks with 27 and were tied for 6th nationally in four-down percentage defense. Basically, when teams tried to go for it on 4th down, the Lopers slammed the door 73% of the time.
What Most People Get Wrong About the MIAA Schedule
A lot of casual fans think a "conference schedule" is just a repetitive list of local teams. Not in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. You're talking about a league where almost every team is a perennial Top 25 contender. When you see the university of nebraska kearney football schedule, you aren't seeing "easy wins." You're seeing a weekly battle against some of the most well-funded and talent-rich programs in D2.
Take the October 11 Homecoming game against Missouri Western. UNK won that 27-7. On paper, it looks like a comfortable win. In reality? It was a defensive slugfest where the Lopers had to rely on takeaways to keep the Griffons at bay.
The schedule also forces some brutal travel. Joplin, Missouri? Pittsburg, Kansas? These aren't short hops. The logistics of moving a 100-man roster across the Midwest every other weekend is a massive undertaking that affects player recovery and practice time.
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Looking Ahead: The 2026 Transition
As we hit early 2026, the focus has shifted to the spring schedule. Coach Ryan Held has been busy. The program just announced a massive haul of 29 mid-year transfers. That is a huge number. It tells you they aren't just looking to "compete"—they are looking to overhaul the roster for a deeper run.
Spring 2026 Dates to Watch
While the official fall 2026 schedule is typically finalized and blasted out later in the spring, the "Spring Ball" dates are the first chance to see the new faces.
- Early March: Practice begins.
- Mid-April: The annual Spring Game at Cope Stadium.
Honestly, the Spring Game is where you find out who the next Abram Scholting or Stone Wilson is going to be. Scholting, the quarterback from Pierce, showed flashes of brilliance last year, but with 29 new guys coming in, the competition for that QB1 spot is going to be intense.
How to Get Tickets for UNK Games
If you're planning to attend a game, don't wait until the day of. Reserved seating at Cope Stadium usually sells out for the big rivalry games.
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- Season Tickets: Typically go on sale in early summer.
- General Admission: Usually around $10-$15, making it one of the best entertainment values in the state.
- Student Entry: UNK students usually get in free with their ID, which is why the student section is always loud.
You can buy tickets directly through the Loper Athletics website or secondary markets like SeatGeek, though buying direct helps the program more.
Why the Schedule Matters for Recruiting
When recruits look at the university of nebraska kearney football schedule, they see opportunity. They see games on News Channel Nebraska. They see a chance to play against the best in the country. For a kid from rural Nebraska or a transfer from a Power 5 school looking for playing time, that MIAA visibility is everything.
The 2025 season saw players like Jaden Jude earn All-MIAA honors. Jude had a monster year with 43 catches and 4 touchdowns. Seeing that success on the schedule—knowing you'll be featured against teams like Central Missouri—is a huge selling point.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you want to stay on top of the Lopers this year, here is what you should actually do:
- Download the Loper Athletics App: It's the fastest way to get schedule changes or weather delay alerts.
- Follow on X (Twitter): @UNKFootball is where the real-time scoring updates happen.
- Check the MIAA Network: If you can't make the drive to Kearney, the MIAA Network streams every game. It’s a subscription service, but the quality has improved massively over the last few years.
- Mark your calendar for the Spring Game: It's usually a free event and the best way to see the 29 new transfers in action before the fall pressure hits.
The Loper football program is in a fascinating spot right now. With a 6-5 foundation and a heavy influx of transfer talent, the upcoming season's schedule will be the ultimate test of whether Ryan Held's "rebuild" is ready for "takeoff." Keep an eye on the official athletic site as the 2026 dates are finalized—this is a team that's trending upward.