KEARNEY, Neb. -- Facing its second ranked team in as many weeks, Missouri Western held no. 22 Nebraska-Kearney scoreless for the better part of the first half on Saturday afternoon. Second-half turnovers doomed Missouri Western, however, as a pair of fumbles and a pair of interceptions led to a 35-14 loss. Traveon James caught his fourth touchdown of the season, a nine-yard toss from Reagan Jones in the third quarter.
After punting on its first drive, Missouri Western picked up a big defensive stop as T.J. Davis coughed up the football as he was sacked. Blake Rufkar recovered the fumble at the Griffon 42-yard line, but MWSU wasn't able to capitalize on the turnover.
Nebraska-Kearney scored with 7:19 left in the second quarter, as C.J. Bufkin was flagged for pass interference at the 3-yard line, with the Lopers needing just three plays to find the end zone.
After trading three-and-outs, Missouri Western was starting to find its rhythm on offense, putting together an 11-play drive over the final four minutes of the first half. The drive stalled four seconds before halftime, though, as Anthony Vespo fumbled the ball after being sacked.
The Griffon defense came up with a big stop on UNK's opening drive of the second half, but a fumble on the punt return attempt gave the Lopers a second chance to strike. The hosts needed just four plays to double their lead, and even though Missouri Western was able to cut the lead to 14-7 on the ensuing drive, Nebraska-Kearney answered right back and then some, taking a 21-7 lead into the fourth quarter and scoring again with 12:35 left in the game.
Behind a 10-play, 69-yard drive, Missouri Western cut the deficit to 28-14, then lined up in an onside kick formation. Fayzio Madison appeared to have recovered the ball for the Griffons, but a penalty marker was down as MWSU was offside on the attempt. 
The Griffons mustered another defensive stop, but disaster struck on the punt as Trey Vaval wasn't able to handle it cleanly and Gabriel Amegatcher recovered the ball in the end zone to give the Lopers a 35-14 advantage with 3:43 to play.
After starting from its own 9-yard line, a twist of good fortune gave Missouri Western a chance to pull within 14. After Darius Swanson intercepted Jones's pass at the Lopers 34, he was hit and fumbled the ball. Brandon Jones was on the spot to scoop up the loose ball and race 18 yards to the UNK 17. Unfortunately, the opportunity was squandered by MWSU, as Jones was picked off on the next play, this time by Jimmy Harrison.
Missouri Western (2-4, 2-4 MIAA) returns home on Saturday, October 16, welcoming Northeastern State (2-4, 2-4 MIAA) for a 4 p.m. kickoff. The game is part of MWSU's Homecoming Weekend.