Story by UNK Athletic Communication
Kearney, Neb. – Redshirt sophomore quarterback Abram Scholting scored from three yards out with 1:07 left and the defense had two late stops to help Nebraska Kearney win at Wayne State, 28-21, Thursday night at Bob Cunningham Field.
This was the 85th all-time meeting between the Lopers and Wildcats but the first in 14 years. UNK now holds a 60-19-6 series lead with the two slated to open the 2026 season at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium.
The Loper defense stuffed the Wildcats on four straight plays from the eight-yard line with just over six minutes remaining. However, Wayne recovered a fumble two plays later and got a generous spot at UNK six-yard line. The Blue Wall almost did it again as they recorded another three stops, but a facemask penalty gave the 'Cats a set of new downs and they tied things up at 21 with 3:47 remaining.
Scholting (Pierce), who started last year's 35-0 win at Southwest Minnesota, took over for banged up starter Daron Bryden (Enfield, Conn.) late in the third quarter. Scholting had already played in the first half, but it was his game to finish after a late hit, and subsequent ejection, put Bryden on the sidelines.
"I had to prepare like the starter; "DB" was the guy and doing a good job. Our team played great tonight, and I had to just come in and do my job. I can't make it anything more than it is," said Scholting.
Scholting started the game-winning drive with runs of four and nine yards and then senior back Isaiah Harris (Omaha) had a four-yard run. Scholting then ran down the left sidelines for 14 yards before Harris ran the other direction on the next play for a 41-yard gain. He finished with a career-high 165 yards and one score on 21 carries.
With Harris just stepping out of bounds on the three, UNK's next two runs didn't gain much but Wayne used two of its three timeouts. On third down, Scholting scored for the second time by powering in from the left side. He started the fourth with a four-yard run that made it 21-14."It's definitely something you dream about. The playing experience last year helped a lot but when I came in, I just had to breathe, relax, and tell myself it's just football. I've been playing since second grade," said Scholting. "I have a lot of friends that go to Wayne State so it's fun to beat them."
Wayne, however, didn't go down quietly as sophomore QB Bennett Dannenbring had completions of 15 and 31 yards. On the big gainer, sophomore receiver Alex Phelps made a leaping grab between two Lopers that moved the ball to the 30-yard line with 26 seconds left. But on the very next play, redshirt sophomore safety Saieed Hasan (Peoria, Ariz.) picked off Dannenbring in the middle of the field. In the first half, junior newcomer Qualyn McQueen (Miami) had an INT that led to a 42-yard scoring drive and 14-7 lead.
UNK out gained WSC by a 329-281 margin, was 3 for 3 in the red zone and 6 of 14 on third down. Next, the defense held the 'Cats to 56 yards rushing, recorded six tackles for loss (2.0 sacks) with senior corner Ife Current (Kennendale, Texas) having UNK's third and final pick.
"Well, its next man up; that's how you have to do it and that's why we recruit multiple guys. Abe came in and did an incredible job. Being a local kid this was a big game for him," said UNK head coach Ryan Held. "He stepped up and we made the plays when we needed to."
Bryden was 7 of 11 for 67 yards and threw a 13-yard scoring pass to junior receiver Jaden Jude (Athens, Ala.) in the third quarter. He also had a 16-yard scramble with his one INT coming on a "Hail Mary" play at the end of the first half. Next, Scholting was 3 for 4 for 51 yards and ran eight times for 39 yards. Jude, previously at FCS Tennessee-Chattanooga, hauled in seven balls for 98 yards.
"There were some boneheaded plays we made there, turned the ball over late, had some penalties, gave them some opportunities," said Held. "But that was a gutsy drive there at the end to make it happen and then our defense found a way to end it.
"Finally on offense, Harris had a 55-yards scoring run on the second play from scrimmage and a 26-yard scamper in the second. This is his fifth career 100-yard day. Defensively, McQueen (eight) and Illinois senior corner Jovan Marsh (seven) led in tackles with Kansas junior backers Dylan Jordan (Pittsburg, Kan.) and Parker Wise (Kearney) both at six and a half sack
."We knew 12 personnel could be a good group against them (on the last drive). We felt there was some advantages there with our tight ends, spread them out a little bit but still be able to run the ball," said Held. "Our ability to run the football over four quarters was the difference in the game. This was great for the State of Nebraska to have a contest like this."
In his first collegiate start for Wayne, Dannenbring was 19 of 33 for 225 yards and two TD's with junior tight end Dane Peterson having both scores on six grabs for 94 yards. Phelps then managed 51 yards on three catches with back Dawson Forgy having 31 yards on 10 totes. The defense was led by backer Jes Krcil (15 tackles, one forced fumble) and senior backer Alex Kowalczyk (10 tackles) and junior tackle Luke Lambert (eight tackles, three for loss).UNK hosts Chadron State next Saturday; the Eagles are at FCS-member Northern Colorado this Saturday.