Upper Iowa University Athletics

Cole Jaeschke became Upper Iowa's all-time leader in passing yards (6,664) and touchdowns (50) during the Peacocks' dominant win over the University of Mary. Jaeschke threw for 317 yards and three touchdowns through some heavy doses of rain as UIU posted a 36-7 victory improving to 3-1 on the season. The UIU signal caller now sits atop nine records for the Peacocks. While the UIU air attack was in full gear, so was the running game as junior Chris Smith ran through the 2,000 yard mark in his career with 187 yards on the day.

While the UIU offense was putting up points in the second and third quarters, the Peacock defense was getting a solid effort out of several players and all three lines. After a 69-yard touchdown pass and catch on U-Mary's first possesion, the Peacock defense responded by keeping the Marauders off the scoreboard the rest of the game despite three more trips into the redzone. UIU thwarted those threats with two interceptions, both in the endzone, thanks to plays by Chayz Holt and Jordan Andera and a blocked field goal attempt by Keaton Martin.

The interception by Holt came as U-Mary was looking to extend their early lead to 14-0 from the UIU 5-yard line on 2nd and goal. The field goal block by Martin erased another redzone trip for the Marauders on a 24-yard attempt that could have pulled U-Mary with four, 14-10, but the miss kept the Peacock advantage at seven points.

The home team's defense held the Marauders to just 67 yards on the ground and forced their guests into 9 punts. UIU also recorded five tackles for loss, earned 7 pass breakups and added a sack from Branden Owen. In all, the defense has now held three of their four opponents to 17 points or less this season.
Additional standouts in the game included: Derek Giesking (6 catches, 108 yards, 1 TD) | Lucas Hefty (5 catches, 66 yards) | Shay Gutman (8 catches, 66 yards, 2 TDs) | Keaton Hosch (4 catches, 86 yards) | Tim Tuggle (9 tackles, 5 solo) | Jordan Andera (4 tackles, 1 for a loss, 1 interception) | Alex Wahl (6 tackles, 1 pass breakup) | Tyler Fisher (7 tackles) | Chayz Holt (1 tackles, 1 Interception) | Ethan Douglas (7 tackles) | Tyler Fisher (7 tackles) | Keaton Martin (5 tackles, 1 FG block).

The Peacocks will head to Winona, Minnesota to take on the Warriors of Winona State University next Saturday at 6 p.m. for this season's first NSIC South Division matchup. Last year's contest with the Warriors was decided by only three points on Homecoming in Fayette. WSU escaped with a 45-42 shootout victory.