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KEARNEY, Nebraska - The Northwest Missouri State Bearcat football team turned the ball over four times and could not overcome a 21-point deficit as the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers scored a 24-17 win at Cope Stadium.

The Lopers rushed for 228 yards and their quarterback T.J. Davis became the first opponent to rush for 100 yards against the Bearcats since an NCAA playoff game in 2014.

Northwest committed three first-quarter turnovers and UNK turned those miscues into 14 points. Following a Braden Wright interception, David led a Loper 30-yard drive capped with a 12-yard touchdown toss to Darrius Webb with 10:41 left in the first quarter. Northwest's Mike Hohensee pinned UNK inside its three-yard line with a punt. The Northwest defense forced a punt only to see the punt hit Northwest's Braden Dey and the Lopers's Will Lansman recovered at the Northwest 40. Eight plays later, Davis scored on a two-yard touchdown to give the Lopers a 14-0 lead with 2:30 left in the opening quarter.

The Bearcats were held scoreless in the opening half for the first since Nov. 20, 2010, against Missouri Western.

UNK extended its lead to 21-0 on the opening drive of the third quarter. The Lopers marched 75 yards in 14 plays and scored on a one-yard plunge by Webb with 8:12 left in the third.

Northwest answered with its first score of the game as the Bearcats pounded the ground game. Northwest's scoring drive consisted of seven plays (six rushing) and 58 yards (55 rushing). Wright covered the final 13 for a touchdown run with 5:57 remaining in the third.

UNK responded with a drive inside the Bearcat 20-yard line, but Northwest's Trey Washington intercepted a Davis pass to thwart the scoring attempt. It was Washington's fourth interception of the season.

The teams traded three and outs before the Northwest offense struck again. Wright connected with wideout Imoni Donadelle on a 38-yard touchdown pass as the clock expired in the third quarter. Donadelle's fifth straight week scoring a touchdown pulled Northwest to within 21-14.

UNK moved the lead back to 10 when Junior Gonzalez made a 29-yard field goal with 10:44 remaining in the game.

Northwest's Parker Sampson connected on his seventh straight field goal of the season from 36 yards out with 6:45 to play. Sampson's triple cut the UNK lead to 24-17.

The Bearcat defense forced a Loper punt and took over possession of the football with 3:28 to play on their own 29-yard line. Wright hit LaTroy Harper for a 14-yard gain that gave Northwest a first down at the 48. However, UNK sacked Wright and forced an incompletion to bring up 3rd-and-15. On that play, Wright dropped to pass but was sacked and fumbled. The ball was recovered by UNK's Sal Silvio at the Northwest 37-yard line with 1:47 left in the game.

UNK used all but one second of the clock and turned the ball over on downs. Northwest's final play consisted of a pass to Marqus Andrews who lateraled the ball to Harper, who was brought down for no gain.

Northwest falls to 6-1 overall, while Nebraska-Kearney moves to 5-2 overall.

Northwest ready itself for Homecoming on Saturday against Lincoln. The Bearcats and Blue Tigers will meet at 2 p.m.

NOTES: Justin Rankin rushed for a team-high 70 yards on 13 carries ... Wright rushed 12 times for 60 yards and a touchdown ... Wright passed for 116 yards on 9-of-22 passing with a touchdown and an interception ... Donadelle led the Northwest receivers with three catches for 53 yards ... Hohensee punted five times for a 46.0 average with a long of 55 ... Sam Roberts led the Bearcats with nine total tackles ... Brody Buck recorded Northwest's only sack.