Missouri Southern State University's football team came up short of earning its first conference win Saturday, falling 16-13 to the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers at UNK.
In a battle between two teams that were both looking for their first MIAA win of the season, the Lopers struck first when Calin Arndt ran for a one-yard touchdown with 7:11 left in the opening quarter.
UNK (1-6, 1-4) increased its lead to 14-0 with 3:04 left in the half when quarterback Devin Tate ran it in from the one-yard line.
Southern inched closer at 14-7 with 27 seconds left in the second quarter off an Allen Mitchell four-yard touchdown run and an 18-yard Asher Huffman field goal with 2:02 left in the third quarter drew Southern within four points at 14-10.
Another Huffman field goal — this one a 41-yarder with 7:18 left in the game — drew the Lions to within a point at 14-13.
Nebraska-Kearney’s final score came when UNK’s Cole Ledtke sacked MSSU quarterback Tillman Martin in the end zone for a safety with 2:41 left in the game.
Mitchell led the Lions' rushing attack with 108 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Narkel LeFlore added 60 yards on 11 carries.
Martin was 9 for 25 for 67 yards and two interceptions.
Tate finished 11 for 15 for 65 yards. Arndt led the Lopers' rushing attack with 73 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
The Lions (1-6, 0-5) travel to Missouri Western State University (3-4, 2-3) Saturday and then return home to face Pittsburg State University (2-5, 2-3) at noon Oct. 31.