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When: Dec. 5, 1 p.m.
Where: Topeka, Kan.
Radio: 90.7 FM KVNO
Even though West Texas A & M is a red-hot team with five NFL prospects, UNO coach Pat Behrns said he couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity his team will have to play the Buffaloes in the Dec. 5 Kanza Bowl.
“They’re a very talented football team,” Behrns said. “And preparing for them confirms more than ever for us the reason we wanted to play in this game. We know now what you’ve got to do to get through the (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association), with Northwest Missouri State as the benchmark. And if we ever want to get beyond that, we’d also have to go through the Lone Star (Conference).”
West Texas A & M is just 6-5 overall, but that was after a 1-5 start that included nonconference losses to then-No. 1 Grand Valley State and current No. 1 Central Washington. The Buffs beat two of the Lone Star’s four playoff teams — then-No. 1 Abilene Christian and then-No. 7 Tarleton State — and lost in overtime to No. 13 Texas A & M-Kingsville.
Behrns is hopeful of being able to play freshman tailback Levi Terrell at close to full strength.
Terrell, with a sprained ankle suffered Oct. 31, played only the final two plays in the Nov. 7 regular season finale at Missouri Western so that he could qualify for the MIAA rushing title. Terrell has rushed for 1,098 yards in just seven games.
“He hadn’t practiced before this week, but hopefully we can start to get a little more out of him,” Behrns said. “Watching him run, he’s still got a noticeable limp. But I would expect he’d be able to play in the game. How much I don’t know.”
Quarterback Greg Wunderlich, who has passed for 2,492 yards and 21 touchdowns while completing 63.9 percent of his passes, is about the same as he’s been while playing on a broken toe, Behrns said.
“He’s gimpy, but he’s practicing well,” Behrns said.
UNO took a week off after the Missouri Western game, then practiced four times last week, with the seniors getting two days off. Another break, for the holiday weekend, follows today’s practice, and then the Mavericks pick up with normal game-week preparations on Monday. Prior practices have been about 30 minutes shorter than normal.
Behrns said he’s been pleased with the team’s level of interest and excitement at getting the chance to play one final game this season.
“We’ve had some good practices,” he said. “I like our energy level.”
Contact the writer:
444-1027, rob.white@owh.com
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