CHADRON, Neb. — News Channel Nebraska's fall sports schedule kicks off with a rivalry clash between two of the state's Division II football programs.

Chardon State will host the University of Nebraska-Kearney (UNK) on Thursday, Aug. 29 in what will be the season opener for both teams.

It will be the 73rd meeting between the Lopers and Eagles, with their last meeting being in Kearney during a condensed COVID-19 season in 2020. The last time Kearney made the trip to Chadron was in 2010.

The two programs used to play every season from 1960-80 and again between 1990-2011 before UNK left the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) for the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAA). The Lopers lead the all-time series 50-21-1.

Both school's have committed to scheduling the rivalry game annually moving forward and have made the matchup a trophy game. Starting with the game on Aug. 29, each season the winner will take home the "Good Life Trophy".

News Channel Nebraska's statewide TV coverage is set to begin at 6:40 p.m. CT/5:40 p.m. MT.

The game will also be streamed for free on NewsChannelNebraska.com.

HOW TO WATCH: UNK vs Chadron State - Thursday, Aug. 29

  • TV
    • Great Plains - 3, 12 or 22
    • Dish - 30
    • Spectrum - 98, 99, 715 or 1233
    • Allo - 181 or 183
    • Cox - 116
    • Three River - 971
    • Other Local Cable Providers
  • ONLINE