Game Details
Bob Cunningham Field
Kickoff at 6:00 PM CT (7:00 PM ET).
TV coverage airs on NCN, with radio broadcasts on KRVN 93.1/106.9 FM.
Betting Trends
Nebraska-Kearney is 6–2 ATS in season openers under Coach Motz.
Wayne State covered the spread in 7 of 11 home games last season.
Key Storylines
First meeting since 2022, when the Wildcats edged the Lopers 28–24 in Kearney.
Coach Ryan Motz seeks his first road win of 2025 against a Wayne State program that returns seven starters on defense.
Wayne State enters Year 2 under Coach Grant Powell, blending a veteran offensive line with a pair of dynamic running backs.
The series dates to 2009; Wayne State holds a 10–5 series edge.
Players to Watch
Nebraska-Kearney Lopers
Parker Tryon, QB: Starter in 2024, completed 63% of passes for 2,150 yards and 18 TDs.
Jalen McWhorter, RB: Averaged 5.2 yards per carry with 12 rushing scores last season.
Dylan Young, WR: Led the team with 58 catches for 710 yards and six TDs.
Nate Brace, LB: Team-leading tackler (98 stops) and 10.5 tackles for loss.
Josh Reimer, DB: Playmaking safety with four interceptions and 12 pass break-ups.
Wayne State Wildcats
Grant Reed, QB: Dual-threat quarterback threw for 1,800 yards and ran for 450 yards in 2024.
Adrian Cooper, RB: Featured back with 950 rushing yards and eight TDs last year.
Tyler Adeyemi, WR: Big-play threat with 22.3 yards per catch on 26 receptions.
Logan McClure, LB: Defensive captain with 85 tackles and three sacks.
Jalen Schmidt, DB: Ballhawk corner with five interceptions and 18 breakups.
Tactical Breakdown
Offense
Lopers employ a balanced spread scheme, mixing inside zone runs with quick-game passing to exploit cover-2 shells. Wildcats will leverage a power-I run game, using play-action to open up intermediate crossing routes.
Defense
Nebraska-Kearney fronts in a 4-2-5, relying on its hybrid nickel back to shadow the opposing tight end. Wayne State bases out of a 3-4 set, sending linebackers on delayed blitzes to force early decisions from Tryon.
X-Factors
Weather Impact: Late-August heat and humidity in northeast Nebraska could favor the deeper Loper rotation.
Third-Down Efficiency: Whichever defense gets off the field will control the clock and field position.
Special Teams: A blocked field goal or long punt return could tilt a one-possession game.
Game Odds
Nebraska-Kearney Lopers – 3.5
Wayne State (Neb.) Wildcats 47.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, August 27, 2025
