KEARNEY, Neb. - The UNK football team rallied from a 24-point halftime deficit to cut it to a four-point game before eventually dropping to Fort Hays St. 27-20 on Saturday afternoon.

It was the season finale for the Lopers (5-6), who celebrated 26 seniors. With the win, the #23 Tigers (8-3) have a chance at the Division ll playoff or a bowl game.

Fort Hays played a nearly-perfect first half. The Tigers' defense allowed UNK to run just eight plays in the first quarter and grabbed a 7-0 lead. Soph. quarterback Caleb Heavner then completed two highlight-reel touchdown throws and Carson Arndt hit a 30-yard field goal to make it 24-0 at halftime.

UNK came out with a different energy in the second half. The offense marched 60 yards over 11 plays on the opening drive to score on a Reagan Jones pass to Stephen Lewis. The defense followed with a stop before David Lilly blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown to make it a 24-14 game.

The Lopers took advantage of good field position midway through the fourth quarter to add a rushing touchdown from Jones to cut it to a 24-20 game. The Tigers responded with their best drive of the half to set up a 33-yard field goal from Arndt to provide seven points of separation. UNK got the ball with 59 seconds left and no timeouts. Jones guided the Lopers 49 yards on six plays but his last effort to the end zone fell incomplete from 26 yards out to end the game.