Omaha Athletics

North Central Conference co-champions UNO and North Dakota will stage a rematch Saturday in the second round of the NCAA II playoffs. Kickoff is at 12:05 p.m. at Caniglia Field. The Mavericks edged the Fighting Sioux in the first game between the teams this season, 21-20.

Media Coverage
The game will be broadcast over the Maverick Football Network, with David Gustafson and Curt Bohn calling the action. In the Omaha area, the game will be carried over the flagship station, KOZN, 1620 AM. It will also be broadcast over KJSK, 900 AM, in the Columbus area. Radio air time is at 11:35 a.m.

The Records
UNO enters the game at 8-2 overall. The Mavericks were 7-1 and shared the North Central Conference championship, their third straight and eighth overall, with North Dakota, which is 10-1 on the season.

The Coaches
Nebraska-Omaha's Pat Behrns is now in his 13th season as the head coach with a 95-51 record at UNO and a 131-78 record in 17 seasons as a collegiate head coach. Behrns is the all-time leader in wins at UNO. He is a 1972 graduate of Dakota State. Under Behrns the Mavericks have won NCC titles, in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2005and 2006 and are making their sixth NCAA II playoff appearance this year. He has been named the NCC Coach of the Year three times. Behrns' 146 games is the most of any UNO head coach. Behrns is Dale L ennon ranks third on UND'a all-time win list with a 79-21 record over his eight seasons. Overall, Lennon, a native of Knox, N.D., has an 91-30 mark in 10 years as a collegiate head coach. Lennon recorded a 12-9 mark at the University of Mary before becoming UND's head coach in 1999. He led the Fighting Sioux to the 2001 national championship and to the 2003 title game. This is UND's sixth trip to the playoffs under Lennon. He is 2-6 vs. UNO.

The Series
This is the 35th meeting for the two schools in football in a series that dates back to 1934. North Dakota holds an 18-16 advantage. The Mavericks have won three straight over the Fighting Sioux. Close decisions have highlighted the recent meetings, with six of the past seven games decided by three points or less, including one overtime contest.

Last Game
UNO had three players run for more than 100 yards each, including quarterback Zach Miller, who scored three touchdowns in a 48-14 home triumph over Central Washington. The win clinched a share of the NCC title for the Mavericks. UNO rolled up 400 yards rushing and 482 yards in total offense. Kyle Kasperbauer led the way with 128 yards on 14 carries, Nate Wurth added 123 yards on 10 attempts and Miller had 109 yards on 13 carries.

Last Meeting vs. North Dakota
The Mavericks edged the Fighting Sioux 21-20 on Oct. 14 in the regular season meeting this year. Zach Miller's second touchdown of the game, with 8:44 remaining, gave UNO the lead for good and the Maverick defense held UND to two second half field goals by Brandon Hellevang. North Dakota quarterback Reed Manke completed 25 of 31 passes for 232 yards, including his first 15 in a row before a diving interception by UNO cornerback Matt Ajuoga late in the first half.