Box Score
The Peacock and Warrior football teams are only separated by 112 miles on the map, in NCAA Division II terms… that’s close, but in football terms… the two teams have not been close over the last four seasons. Today in Fayette, Upper Iowa and Winona State met for the fifth straight season and the Peacocks were determined to close the gap between the two programs. The Peacocks put together a great first half on offense and defense as the game went to halftime tied at 14-14, but it was all Warriors in the second half as they outscored the home team 28-0. After the final second ticked off the clock, the Peacocks fell to the Warriors 42-14. The loss dropped UIU’s record to 0-4 and 0-3 in the conference on the season, while WSU improved to 3-1 and 2-1 in the NSIC.
The Peacocks wasted no time putting their mark on the scoreboard in Fayette with a touchdown less than two minutes into the game. The drive was highlighted by a 39-yard hookup between Ben Curran and La’Mont Williams and was capped off by an 11-yard rush by Jordan Otdoerfer.
Both teams were unsuccessful in field goal attempts in the first quarter; Winona State missed a 29-yarder wide right and Upper Iowa’s 43-yard try was blocked. The Warriors converted the blocked field goal into a 50-yard touchdown drive to tie the game and then took their first possession of the second quarter 87 yards for their second touchdown and a 14-7 lead.
A Craig Henry interception midway through the second quarter set up the Peacock offense at Winona’s 39-yard line. Five plays later, Otdoerfer rushed off the left tackle from 24 yards away to tie the game 14-14.
Winona State outgained Upper Iowa in total offensive yards 235 to 186, but the Peacocks held the advantage in takeaways with two interceptions in the opening 30 minutes. UIU headed into the locker room tied with their guests despite a 0-5 mark in third downs.
The Warriors owned the second half scoring 28 unanswered points thanks to four touchdown receptions; one by Alex Jensen, a pair by Derrick Engel and one by Tyler Speer. The first three passes came from Evan Aber, while the final score came out of the hand of Bryan Bradshaw.
Winona State outgained Upper Iowa 501-274 in total offensive yards and limited the Peacock offense to just one conversion in 14 attempts on third down.
Ben Curran threw for 167 yards on 16 completions. Williams caught 6 passes for 79 yards, while John Baldwin pulled down 5 balls for 72 yards. Otdoerfer rushed for a team-high 58 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.
Nate Curran led the defense with 13 tackles including 1.5 for loss and an interception. Craig Henry added two interceptions and 3 tackles, while Aaron Miller reached double figures in tackles with 11. Donnell Wilson tallied 6 tackles including 2.5 for loss.
Next Saturday, Upper Iowa will travel to Bemidji State to battle the Beavers. The two teams have not met since 2007 when they faced off in the Metrodome. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Oct. 2.
