UNK Football 2026

[loper legionnaire]

UNK 16, MSSU 13

In an expected rock fight between two struggling teams, the Lopers did just enough to get into the win column for the first time this year. The defense came up with two interceptions and added a late safety to deny the Lions. They also made a key goal-line stand to force a field goal that ended up making a difference.

From Lopers.com: Lopers Hold Off the Lions, 16-13, to Earn First Win in 2026 - https://lopers.com/news/2026/10/17/f...n-in-2026.aspx

From KRVN (full radio broadcast replay): UNK earns first victory of the season - https://ruralradio.com/krvn/news/unk...of-the-season/

From NTV: UNK Football: Lopers Edge Lions, 16-13, for First 2026 Win - https://nebraska.tv/sports/unk-footb...first-2026-win

From KSNB: UNK Football: Lopers Edge Lions, 16-13, for First 2026 Win - https://www.ksnblocal4.com/2026/10/1...irst-2026-win/

[AlexTheHAMMER]

I dont know how many UNK fans watch MIAA Weekly, but it was mentioned on there tonight that UNK is the only D2 school yet to score a passing touchdown. Amongst NCAA FBS, FCS, D2, D3, and NAIA schools, UNK and D3 Hilbert College (0-6, hasn't won a game since the school added it in 2022) in Hamburg, New York are the only 4 year colleges in the United States yet to score a passing touchdown. Lump in non-California junior colleges and you add in the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (2-3) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

(no california junior colleges because the CCCAA only gives their offensive stats as points per game, and I don't have the time nor the care to go through every California JUCO's stats to find out)

[loper legionnaire]

I dont know how many UNK fans watch MIAA Weekly, but it was mentioned on there tonight that UNK is the only D2 school yet to score a passing touchdown. Amongst NCAA FBS, FCS, D2, D3, and NAIA schools, UNK and D3 Hilbert College (0-6, hasn't won a game since the school added it in 2022) in Hamburg, New York are the only 4 year colleges in the United States yet to score a passing touchdown. Lump in non-California junior colleges and you add in the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (2-3) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

(no california junior colleges because the CCCAA only gives their offensive stats as points per game, and I don't have the time nor the care to go through every California JUCO's stats to find out)

It's funny you bring that up because I usually watch the replay a day or two after the show airs, but I did realize that statistic yesterday morning and hadn't gotten around to sharing it. That's pretty unbelievable for a team that isn't option-based with limited pass attempts per game. On the one hand, injuries have plagued the QBs and WRs all season. On the other, you would have thought they would have found a way to get at least one passing touchdown by now.

In my opinion, quarterback play has been the biggest disappointment in the Ryan Held era. It's been a carousel of new starters every season, and none of them have really stood out as passers. Reagan Jones has probably been the best, even though he actually had the lowest completion percentage. He put up the most yards per game and by far had the best TD-INT ratio of the group.

[Mule Dad]

It's funny you bring that up because I usually watch the replay a day or two after the show airs, but I did realize that statistic yesterday morning and hadn't gotten around to sharing it. That's pretty unbelievable for a team that isn't option-based with limited pass attempts per game. On the one hand, injuries have plagued the QBs and WRs all season. On the other, you would have thought they would have found a way to get at least one passing touchdown by now.

In my opinion, quarterback play has been the biggest disappointment in the Ryan Held era. It's been a carousel of new starters every season, and none of them have really stood out as passers. Reagan Jones has probably been the best, even though he actually had the lowest completion percentage. He put up the most yards per game and by far had the best TD-INT ratio of the group.

I'm very curious to know as a Loper fan if you want:

1) Held to return next year with his same coaching staff
2) Held to return next year with new OC and DC and probably a few position coaches
3) Held fired and start over with an all new staff

[Try II]

I'm very curious to know as a Loper fan if you want:

1) Held to return next year with his same coaching staff
2) Held to return next year with new OC and DC and probably a few position coaches
3) Held fired and start over with an all new staff

He has two years left on his contract I believe and UNK is in no financial shape to buy anyone out. As far as the assistants, I image a couple will be replaced but the DC is good.

This and Missouri Southern are the toughest jobs in the league so fans need to greatly temper expectations.

[Mule Dad]

He has two years left on his contract I believe and UNK is in no financial shape to buy anyone out. As far as the assistants, I image a couple will be replaced but the DC is good.

This and Missouri Southern are the toughest jobs in the league so fans need to greatly temper expectations.

What kind of buyouts do coaches have at the D2 level? I honestly don't know.

[GorillaTeacher]

What kind of buyouts do coaches have at the D2 level? I honestly don't know.

Probably something along the lines of salary guarantee. My guess. Some may have some other language that has financial protections.

[reloadmvp]

Mule Dad over here hiding from ESU....

[loper legionnaire]

I'm very curious to know as a Loper fan if you want:

1) Held to return next year with his same coaching staff
2) Held to return next year with new OC and DC and probably a few position coaches
3) Held fired and start over with an all new staff

I agree with everything Try said. I think if anything changes, it would be replacing a few position coaches.

[AlexTheHAMMER]

It's funny you bring that up because I usually watch the replay a day or two after the show airs, but I did realize that statistic yesterday morning and hadn't gotten around to sharing it. That's pretty unbelievable for a team that isn't option-based with limited pass attempts per game. On the one hand, injuries have plagued the QBs and WRs all season. On the other, you would have thought they would have found a way to get at least one passing touchdown by now.

Defensively, UNK is tied with NW Missouri in the league for pick sixes (2), and is second to NW in interception return yards (116, with 87 of those being the Kincaid sick six opening night vs Wayne) so UNK has been catching touchdown passes, just not the offense, and that leads to this...

In my opinion, quarterback play has been the biggest disappointment in the Ryan Held era. It's been a carousel of new starters every season, and none of them have really stood out as passers. Reagan Jones has probably been the best, even though he actually had the lowest completion percentage. He put up the most yards per game and by far had the best TD-INT ratio of the group.

Agree 100%. If he could keep a starting quarterback more than a year this team would have success. Crazy to think that this year, the teams near the top of the conference are the teams that have a returning QB (Emporia, NW, Washburn, UCM) while the teams near the bottom have a new QB and can't get off the QB carousel (UNK, MoWest, MoSo, and then Pitt State jumped on this year). Reagan was good but only a one year fix. The lack of retention AND development in the QB room is the most disappointing thing for me, but the new culture of "well, I'm going in the transfer portal because I'm not playing here" is killing a lot of the retention possibility

[AlexTheHAMMER]

He has two years left on his contract I believe and UNK is in no financial shape to buy anyone out. As far as the assistants, I image a couple will be replaced but the DC is good.

This and Missouri Southern are the toughest jobs in the league so fans need to greatly temper expectations.

The way that UNK has been forced to cut $$$ over the past six years on both the academic and athletic sides hasnt been fun to watch. Coach buyouts are so far down the totem pole of importance