Box Score
For a team, fanbase, and university community desperately hungry for a win... today's loss can be summed up in one word... tough.
At Eb Eischeid Stadium the Peacocks clawed out of an early 14-6 hole to take a 34-27 lead with just under two minutes to play in today's game. Thanks to a great kick return, the Mustangs opened their ensuing drive at their own 47-yard line. SMSU pushed the tying touchdown across the goal line just 38 seconds later after using 5 plays to cover 53 yards. In overtime, UIU had a pass intercepted in the endzone and then SMSU put the winning score on the board thanks to a 9-yard touchdown run by Gannon Moore.
The two teams matched each other in the statistical columns in several categories including: first downs (23), passing yards (287/286), and average gain/play (5.5/5.3).
Upper Iowa scored on their first possession on a John Baldwin leaping grab in the corner of the endzone. Ben Curran hit on all 6 of his passes on the team's first drive. After the point after attempt hit the upright, Southwest Minnesota State scored on back-to-back possessions to claim a 14-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Peacocks scored the only points of the second quarter on a 24-yard field goal by Jason Price. The score pulled UIU within five, 14-9, heading into halftime.
Upper Iowa owned the third quarter outscoring their guests 15-7 to take a 24-21 lead into the fourth. Mike Moser and Jessie Hubbard scored touchdowns for the Peacocks and UIU added a two-point conversion on Moser rushing score.
After the Mustangs fourth touchdown of the day, Price added another 24-yarder to tie the score at 27-27 with 7:22 on the clock. The field goal was Price's 11th career three-pointer and moves him into sole possession of the all-time lead in field goals made in a career at UIU.
Upper Iowa took their 34-27 lead thanks to a 9-play, 75-yard drive that took 4:29 off the clock. The drive was capped off on Moser's second touchdown run of the day. The highlight of the possession came when Curran rushed off right tackle and broke free for a 20-yard gain to the three.
SMSU returned the ensuing kick 33 yards to set up their game-tying drive. The drive was fueled by quarterback Ryan Ratekin, who completed three of his five attempts including the 24-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Dean in the back of the endzone.
The overtime period saw SMSU intercept Curran's attempt to the back of the endzone and then drive in for the win.
Curran led the UIU offense with 286 yards throught the air and a pair of touchdown passes; he also ran for 50 yards. Jessie Hubbard caught 11 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown, while Dominique Jackson pulled in 6 balls for 45 yards and added 102 kick and punt return yards. Senior Zach Schaeffer snared 4 balls for 48 yards. On the ground, the Peacocks got 47 yards from Jordan Otdoerfer and 35 from Sam Epsteen. Moser made his 20 yards count as he got over the goal line twice for UIU.
The defense, which held SMSU to 372 yards of total offense, was led by freshman linebacker Ethan Douglas. Douglas had 11 tackles including 5 solo stops and 2 for loss. Preston Spencer, Nate Curran, Jordan Andera, Aaron Miller each added 7 tackles. Spencer's tackles included 2.5 sacks of SMSU's Ratekin. Donnell Wilson made the lone interception for the Peacocks and added a pair of tackles.
The Peacocks (1-7, 1-6 NSIC) will be back at home next week for the final time this season. Upper Iowa will celebrate Senior Day next Saturday when the Wildcats of Wayne State College come calling. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and the UIU seniors will be honored prior to the game.
