Box Score
The Upper Iowa University Peacock football team opened their 2010 season this evening as they travelled to Commerce, Texas to battle the Lions of Texas A&M-Commerce. The Lone Star Conference representative erased UIU’s 10-point halftime lead by scoring 33 unanswered points in the second half and rolled on to a 33-10 victory over the Peacocks.
After winning the coin toss and electing to receive, the Peacocks kept the momentum rolling by capping off a five-play, 72-yard drive when Ben Curran connected a 49-yard pass to John Baldwin for the game’s first score. Following the ensuing Tyler Parmenter extra point, the Peacocks found themselves in front 7-0.
The defenses controlled the next four drives as both squads combined for three punts and a Peacock missed field goal before Parmenter was called upon again to connect on a 42-yard field goal and extend UIU’s lead to 10-0.
A&M-Commerce put together a nice seven-play, 53-yard drive just before halftime before Peacock freshman defensive back Jordan Andrea intercepted an Adam Farkes pass to send the Peacocks to the halftime break holding a 10-0 lead.
Upper Iowa outgained Texas A&M-Commerce 245-178 in total offense in the opening half while the Peacock defense held the Lion rushing game to just 20 yards on 10 carries. UIU gained 169 of their yards through the air as Ben Curran was 11-of 18 passing and a touchdown heading into the break.
The Lions responded quickly in the second half when Kensee Jackson took the opening kickoff back 87 yards for a touchdown. After a botched snap on the PAT, the Peacocks held a slim 10-6 margin early in the third quarter.
Following three consecutive punts, the Lions methodically drove down the field on a 9-play, 78-yard drive to score their second touchdown of the quarter which was capped off by a 4-yard Marcus Graham rush to give A&M-Commerce a three point lead, 13-10.
Upper Iowa looked poised to respond immediately following the Lion touchdown with a drive of their own. However, that drive stalled just inside the red zone and a Parmenter 34-yard field goal drilled the left side of the crossbar to turn the ball over to the Lions at their own 20-yard line.
With Parmenter’s kick hitting the crossbar, UIU’s momentum drained from Memorial Stadium as the fourth quarter belonged to Texas A&M-Commerce. The Lions piled on 20 points and ran the final tally to 33-10.
Texas A&M-Commerce outgained the Peacocks 422-371 in total yardage for the game which included a 289-265 margin in passing and a slight 133-106 margin in rushing. Curran completed 18-of-39 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown. Tony Leggett led UIU in tackles with 12, 11 of which were solo.
The Upper Iowa Peacock Football team will open the 2010 home schedule next Saturday, September 11 when they open Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play by hosting the #3-ranked Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Eb Eischeid Stadium in Fayette.
