LINCOLN, Neb. ? Freshman Jason Dardas was the top shooter of the match in smallbore, but it wasn?t enough for the Kentucky rifle team as it fell to Nebraska 4661-4653 on Saturday afternoon.

The loss drops UK to 3-5 overall while the Huskers remain perfect at 5-0. The Wildcats five losses have all come at the hands of top five teams.

Dardas fired a match best 587 in the smallbore event, but Nebraska took the team lead, 2327-2322 on the strength of three shooters scoring 582 or better. Ray Geyer and Andrew Roland shot a 581 and 580, respectively, to keep Kentucky close.

The Wildcats were led by Dardas and Geyer in air rifle, but could not overcome the 592 and 591 posted by the Huskers Andrea Franzen and Kristina Fehlings. Nebraska held a slight 2334-2331 air gun lead. Dardas, who has been the Wildcats top shooter this season, led UK in both events for the first time this year.

Kentucky?s 2331 air rifle score was its third best of the season and the second straight that cracked 2330.

The Wildcats return to action on Dec. 3 when they travel to West Virginia to face the Mountaineers.