Oct. 17, 2009
Final Stats
The Peacock football team visited Sioux Falls, S. D. for today's Northern Sun Conference South Division battle at Augustana College. Upper Iowa took the field with thoughts of spoiling Augustana's Homecoming game at their brand new Kirkeby-Over Stadium. The Vikings owned the first and third quarters, but the Peacocks had their opportunities in the second quarter as they pulled to within one score. In the end, the 27-0 advantage that the home team registered in the first and third quarters were too much to overcome for the Peacocks as they dropped the NSIC match up 41-21. With the loss, Upper Iowa falls to 2-6 overall and 1-6 in the NSIC, while Augustana improves to 6-2 and 5-2 in conference games.
Augustana took their opening possession 55 yards in ten plays to score the game's first touchdown on a four-yard rush by Viking running back Joe Clark. The Vikings extended their lead to 14-0 as time wound down in the first quarter when Augie quarterback Luke Butler found Clark on a four-yard pass. The home team pushed out to a 21-0 lead at the beginning of the second quarter when Butler found receiver Sam Holsen streaking down the left sideline thirty-four yards into the end zone.
Upper Iowa dug down trailing by three scores and put together a nine-play, 73-yard drive that only took 3:07 off the game clock. The drive was highlighted by a quick out to Jessie Hubbard from Peacock quarterback Ben Curran; the UIU receiver avoided Viking defenders and fought ahead for 36 yards. Curran found Sam Epsteen later in the drive for 17 yards. Upper Iowa capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Mike Moser.
On the ensuing kickoff, Craig Henry forced a fumble on the Vikings' kick return and recovered it at the Augustana thirty-nine yard line. After a long pass from Curran found the hands of La'Mont Williams for 40 yards, Moser once again forced his way into the end zone from a yard out to pull the Peacocks within seven points, 21-14.
A Peacock punt with a minute to play in the first half went awry and set up the Vikings with a golden opportunity to extend their lead before halftime. Augie used three plays to cover forty-seven yards as Joe Clark crossed the goal line for the third time in the game and gave the home team a 28-14 lead at the break.
Momentum clearly swung back to the Vikings as they shutout the Peacocks 13-0 in the third quarter. Augustana got touchdown passes from Butler to Holsen and then Butler recorded his first career touchdown reception as he was the recipient of a pass from wide out Tyler Schulte. Eric Walechka broke through on the second extra point attempt to block the kick.
Upper Iowa put a final score on the board in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter with a seven-play, eighty-yard drive to make the score 41-21. Curran hit Jessie Hubbard for another big play. The sophomore receiver sprinted past the Viking defenders for a forty-two yard touchdown.
The Vikings outgained the Peacocks 516 to 360 in total offense on the afternoon and held a 36-17 advantage in first downs.
Curran threw for 259 yards and one touchdown on 23-37 passing. Sam Epsteen rushed for 44 yards on 13 carries, while Moser picked up 10 yards with his two touchdowns. The Peacock receivers were led by Hubbard, who caught 8 balls for 122 yards and a touchdown. Williams grabbed 6 passes for 67 yards and Epsteen pulled in 3 passes for 37 yards.
Upper Iowa's defense was led by Vernard Wilkin's 17 tackles (5 solo); he also recovered a fumble for the Peacocks. Craig Henry added 10 tackles, while Aaron Miller recorded 9 including the Peacocks only sack of the game. Nate Curran and Preston Spencer chipped in 8 tackles a piece.
The Peacock football team will return home to Fayette for a NSIC South Division game against the Golden Bears of Concordia-St. Paul. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Eb Eischeid Stadium on Oct. 24.
