Chris Smith made his return to the backfield on Saturday after missing 6 quarters due to injury and scored three touchdowns in UIU's 31-21 victory at Minnesota, Crookston. Smith's scoring runs came from 2, 11 and 6 yards away. In total he rushed for 64 yards on 19 carries.
Upper Iowa scored first and then used 24 unanswered points in the second and third quarters to claim a 31-21 victory on the road. The win improved UIU's record to 3-3 overall and 2-3 in the NSIC marking the first time since 2006, UIU's first in NCAA Division II, that the team has reached three wins in its first six games.
Upper Iowa rushed for 99 yards led by Smith's 64 on 19 carries. Jaeschke completed 16 passes for 270 yards and a score, while throwing one interception. While Hubbard (83 yards) pulled in the big play for a score, redshirt freshman
Shay Gutman stood out with five catches for 112 yards including a 45-yard grab.
Ethan Douglas recorded 13 tackles including 6 solo, 2.5 for loss, and recovered one fumble.
Casey Popenfoose added 8 tackles, while
Tony Leggett,
Tom Nesvik and
Nick Lepperd each made 7 tackles.
Anthony Church was a force in the backfield making 3 tackles for a loss of 12 yards.
The Peacocks will return home to Eb Eischeid Stadium next Saturday for the final time this season. Upper Iowa will welcomd the Mavericks of Minnesota State for the 1 p.m. kickoff. UIU's final two home games will be played at North Fayette High School in Fayette on Nov. 5 and 12 to allow Phase Two of the Football Complex Transformation to begin this fall.
