KEARNEY, Neb. - MoWest battled hard for more than three quarters, trailing by just six points with 12 minutes to go, but three second half turnovers, including two in the fourth quarter, cost the Griffons (1-5, 0-4 MIAA) in a 27-7 decision at Nebraska-Kearney on their homecoming at Ron and Carol Cope Stadium in Kearney.

UNK (5-2, 3-2 MIAA) struck first on a 78-yard touchdown strike to Dae'vonn Hall, but the point-after was blocked by Kameron Neal, making it 6-0 with 10:10 remaining in the first quarter.

The score remained that way through the end of the first half. MoWest got the ball to start the second half, but on the third play of the series, Dylan Jordan stripped a ball from Brandon Hall and recovered the fumble at the Griffon 44-yard line. UNK scored four plays later.

Trailing 13-0, MoWest sent in quarterback Branden Berwald, who led an eight-play, 75-yard drive down the field, which ended in a 20-yard touchdown throw to Crew Myers, making it a 13-7 ballgame with 4:46 to go in the third.

Myers finished with career-highs in receptions (seven), yards (71) and the touchdown grab was the first of his college career.

The Griffon defense, who forced UNK to punt seven times and also forced a turnover-on-downs, forced the Lopers into three consecutive drives that ended in punt in the second half, eventually giving MoWest 1st-and-10 on their own six-yard-line, down by six points, with 11:41 to play.

It's about then, however, when things turned permanently in favor of UNK. On a 3rd-and-8, Berwald threw an interception to Ja'Mareion Gipson, which UNK scored a touchdown on two plays later.

Now trailing 20-7 with less than eight minutes left, Kane Donovan re-entered the game at QB and threw a 34-yard pick-six to Gipson on a third down play, making it 27-7 with 4:30 to go.

Donovan completed 20-of-27 passes for 99 yards. Berwald accounted for 67 all-purpose yards and the passing TD. Brandon Hall rushed seven times for 71 yards.

Defensively, Drew Scott had a team-high eight tackles. Brecken Manus finished with a season-best seven tackles, including a career-best three solo sacks and career-best four total TFLs.

MoWest is back home this Saturday, October 18, to face No. 15 Pittsburg State (5-2) at Spratt Stadium. Kickoff in the annual Rogers Pharmacy Hall of Fame game is set for 6 p.m.