Lopers Have Two All-Region Picks
Kearney, Neb. – Redshirt seniors Darius Swanson and Hunter Hays represent Nebraska Kearney on the 2022 Division II Conference Commissioners' Association (D2CCA) All-Super Region 3 team. Sports information directors from the region nominate and vote on the makeup of the squad. Region 3 includes the MIAA, Great American Conf. (GAC), Great Lakes Valley Conf. (GLVC) and Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conf. (GLIAC). First-team honorees move onto the national ballot where they cold earn All-American honors. Swanson (Aurora, Colo) is a first-team pick for a second year in a row with Hays (McCook) on the second-team. This is his first all-region selection. A 2021 D2CCA first-team All-American, Swanson led UNK with three interceptions this fall for 44 yards and one touchdown. He also ranked fourth on the team in tackles (69), was tied for the team lead in pass breakups (eight) and forced two fumbles. Including a two-game 2020 season, the strong safety finishes his UNK career ranked 24th on the all-time tackles list (190) with his solo total (121) 10th best. The 2022 co-captain is currently in the transfer portal, looking to play at a higher level to improve his pro prospects. He'll graduate this month from UNK and be a "Super Senior" in 2023. Hays is a three-year starter at left guard and part of a line that helped the UNK offense average 33 points and 402 yards per game. The Lopers were again among the nation's top rushing teams, coming in with 27 TD's, 5.9 yards per carry and 264 ypg. Additionally, the line allowed only 16 sacks all fall. A 2022 first-team All-MIAA selection, Hays played as a true freshman at Fort Hays State in 2018, helping the Tigers reach the playoffs. Redshirting at UNK in 2019, he could return in 2023 as a "Super Senior." Gage Porter from Southern Nazarene (Okla.) was tabbed as the Offensive Player of the Year with Ferris (Mich.) State end Caleb Murphy the Defensive Player of the Year. Porter accounted for 40 TD's and 3,043 yards this year with Murphy at a nation-leading 24.5 sacks. UNK went 8-3 this past season, spending time in the national and regional polls and tying for third place in the final MIAA standings.
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