Sept. 30, 2007
Box Score
The Peacock football team took to the road for only the second time this season when they traveled to Moorhead, Minnesota for a match up with Dragons of Minnesota State University Moorhead. The Dragons scored the first 14 points of the game and leapt out to a 28-14 lead at halftime. The Peacocks held the Dragons to only three points in the second half, while the offense put two touchdowns on the board. Unfortunately, the rally fell short and Upper Iowa was defeated 31-28.
Moorhead's offense scored the game's first two touchdowns using 26 plays to cover 151 yards and take 10 minutes and 11 seconds off the game clock. The Dragons picked up nine first downs in the two drives as they looked to put their stamp on the game early.
In a 14-point hole, the Peacocks knew they had to come up with points on their next possession. The offense responded with an 8-play, 55-yard drive to cut the deficit to 14-7. The drive began with a 24-yard hookup between Kevin Linnell and Kyle Hosch and a 15-yard completion from Linnell to Dwayne Croker. The second big completion set the Peacocks up with a 1st and goal from the 8-yard line. Linnell capped the drive off with a 3-yard scamper and Mike Sharp added the extra point.
Upper Iowa's defense forced a three and out and took over at their 15-yard line. The Dragon's were up to the task and forced a punt themselves. UIU was forced to punt into a very strong wind that caught the ball and stopped it in midair. The punt only covered seven yards and MSU Moorhead took over at the Upper Iowa 23-yard line. The Dragons needed only two plays to score another touchdown and take a 21-7 lead.
The Peacocks' next possession proved to be one of the difference makers in the game. Croker took the kickoff at the 5-yard line and returned it 23 yards to set up the visitors at their 28-yard line. T.C. Hicks rushed for seven yards on first down and three plays later he sprinted to the sideline and picked up 60 yards. Hicks set the Peacocks up with a 1st and goal from the 7-yard line. Three plays later, Upper Iowa was staring at a 4th and goal from the 8 when a Linnell to Croker pass didn't go anywhere as UIU turned the ball over on downs.
The Peacock defense held strong again and gave the ball back to the offense at the Dragon 49-yard line. Upper Iowa was able to finish this drive off with a touchdown to cut the lead back to seven points at 21-14. The drive was highlighted by a Linnell to Allen Conrad completion for 10 yards and a 21-yard hook up between Linnell and Ryan Hudgins. The drive ended when Linnell found Hosch free in the endzone.
Moorhead did not back down as they added another touchdown and reinstated their 14-point lead late in the second quarter and took a 28-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Upper Iowa's defense forced two turnovers in the second half, one on downs and one on a fumble forced by Sherrod Guidry and recovered by Scott Fader. The Peacock offense was able to convert the second turnover into points. After the fumble, Linnell started the offense from the Moorhead 35-yard line. The scoring drive was highlighted by two big throws. The first was a 22-yard connection between Linnell and Hudgins and the second was a 9-yard touchdown catch by McFarland that cut the Dragon lead to 28-21 with 12:30 to play.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Dragons took over at the UIU 44-yard line after a failed onside kick attempt. The defense did their best to hold up to challenge of holding Moorhead scoreless, but gave up one first down that moved them into field goal position. The Dragons' kicker knocked the ball through the uprights from 45 yards and pushed the lead out to ten points, 31-21, with 11:02 left to play.
Upper Iowa's offense had to score quickly... and they did. Linnell hit Croker for an 80-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage and after Sharp converted the extra point, the lead was down to three, 31-28, with 10:42 on the clock.
After forcing a turnover on downs, the Peacocks took over at their 28-yard line. Upper Iowa gained two first downs and moved into Moorhead territory on the arm of Linnell and legs of Hicks. Unfortunately, the offense stalled and failed on a 4th and 7 from the 44 yard line.
With 3:52 left to play the home team took over at their 42-yard line looking to eat up the remainder of the clock. They converted on two first downs; one on 3rd and 7 and one on 2nd and 14. MSU Moorhead ran out the clock and Upper Iowa (1-4, 0-3 NSIC) lost its third NSIC game and fourth game overall.
The Peacocks will play another game on the road next weekend at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The Golden Eagles will be celebrating their homecoming next Saturday, October 6; the game is scheduled to kickoff at 1:00 p.m. Upper Iowa will return to the friendly confines of Eischeid Stadium on Saturday, October 13, for their 150th Homecoming versus the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State University at 1:00 p.m.
