Nov. 4, 2007
Box Score
The Upper Iowa football team didn't see it coming. On Saturday they traveled to Aberdeen, South Dakota for what figured to be a close game judging by how the teams have played in the Northern Sun this season. But the game was anything but close. The Wolves of Northern State scored a touchdown on their first eight possessions including all seven possessions in the first half. By the time the Peacock defense got their first stop of the game on an interception, the score was 55-21. Upper Iowa scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but lost the NSIC match up 55-35. The Peacocks record is now 3-7 overall and 2-6 in the NSIC, while the Wolves improved to 5-5 overall and 5-3 in the conference.
Upper Iowa took the ball first on the day and on their second play from scrimmage whne T.C. Hicks fumbled the ball. Northern State took advantage quickly and covered 40 yards in 5 plays for their first score. Upper Iowa tied the game at 7-7 with their next possession. The scoring drive was fueled by three T.C. Hicks runs and a pair of completions by Jay Lehman; one to Ryan Hudgins for 36 yards and one to Curtis Crittendon for 14 yards and the touchdown.
The remainder of the first quarter was all Northern State. The Wolves scored three times to lead 28-7 at the end of the first fifteen minutes. On the first play of the second quarter, the Peacocks fumbled for the third time giving the Wolves the ball at the UIU 31-yard line. Three plays later, Northern State had scored their fifth touchdown of the game and led 35-7 with 13:25 to play in the half. After the Peacocks' fourth fumble of the game and Lehman's second, the Wolves took over at the UIU 46. It took the home team seven plays to cover the 46 yards and score their 35th unanswered point in under 14 minutes of game action.
Over the remainder of the game, Upper Iowa outscored Northern State 28-14, but the lead that the Wolves built was insurmountable. Upper Iowa scored two of their touchdowns in the second quarter; one on a pass from Lehman to Justin Michaels (5 yards) and the second on a pass from Lehman to Kyle Hosch (4 yards). After Northern State scored their eighth and final touchdown of the game, Lehman connected with Aaron McFarland (29 yards) and Dwayne Croker (10 yards) for the Peacocks final two touchdowns.
The normally stout running attack of the Peacocks was limited to just 42 yards on the day. Hicks, one of the nation's top runners, was held to just 13 yards on 10 carries. Upper Iowa did find success through the air as Lehman completed 31 of 45 passes for 373 yards and 5 touchdowns. Hudgins led the receivers with 9 catches for 128 yards. Croker became the new Upper Iowa record holder for receptions in a career with his 7 grabs for 85 yards and a touchdown. Croker now has 190 receptions in his four-year career passing Jackie Bridges (1989-92) who held the record with 188. Allen Conrad caught four ball for 43 yards, while McFarland and Hosch each pulled down 3 for 42 yards and a score.
Dominique Jackson was the leading tackler for the Peacocks with 10 and added an interception. Malcolm Cole made 9 tackles and Marvin Charles had 7 tackles including 2 for loss.
Northern State quarterback Eric Ellingson will likely be the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week as he torched the Peacock defense for 8 touchdowns. Ellingson threw for six scores while completing 25 of 33 passes for 286 yards. The signal caller also ran for two scores while picking up 11 yards on 8 carries. Brian Jark led the Wolves' receivers with 7 catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns; Matt McNabb also made two touchdown catches.
The Peacocks will play their season finale this coming Friday night in the H.H.H. Metrodome as part of the NSIC Metrodome Classic. Upper Iowa will be the visitors in the game versus the Beavers of Bemidji State. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. A Pre-Game Tailgate Party is being held in the dome for all Peacock fans. More information can be found on the Official Website for Peacock Athletics; UpperIowaAthletics.com.
