Box Score Box Score

Upper Iowa scored first and then used 24 unanswered points in the second and third quarters to claim a 31-21 victory on the road.  The win improved UIU's record to 3-3 overall and 2-3 in the NSIC marking the first time since 2006, UIU's first in NCAA Division II, that the team has reached three wins in its first six games.

The Peacocks used a 13-play, 64-yard drive to open the game with a touchdown.  Chris Smith made his return to the backfield today and scored the first of three touchdowns on a two-yard scamper. 

Minnesota, Crookston rallied back with back to back touchdowns in the first quarter less than two minutes apart thanks to Richard Haley's 78-yard sprint to the endzone for the second score.

Upper Iowa opened the second quarter with their own big play.  Jessie Hubbard pulled in a Cole Jaeschke pass for a 60-yard touchdown.  Hubbard and Jaeschke have now hooked up on a long touchdown pass (75, 76, and 60 yards) in three straight ball games.

Steven Sandoval remained perfect on the season with a field goal from 35 yards with 4:04 on the clock that gave UIU a 17-14 lead heading to halftime.

The Peacocks came out of halftime and rolled the dice with an onside kick that they recovered.  With momentum on their side, Upper Iowa drove 56 yards  as Smith scored his second touchdown from 11 yards away.  Upper Iowa then took advantage of a fumble, one of three Golden Eagle drops on the day.  DaeJohn Love ripped the ball away from the UMC receiver and Keaton Martin recovered the ball to set up the offense near midfield.  UIU scored their final touchdown to take a 31-14 lead when Smith broke the plain from 6 yards.

The Golden Eagles pulled within ten, 31-21, at the end of the third quarter, but neither team put points on the board in the fourth and Upper Iowa claimed the win.

The Golden Eagles ran for 261 yards led by Haley's 143, but three fumbles limited the UMC offense.

Upper Iowa rushed for 99 yards led by Smith's 64 on 19 carries.  Jaeschke completed 16 passes for 270 yards and a score, while throwing one interception.

While Hubbard (83 yards) pulled in the big play for a score, redshirt freshman Shay Gutman stood out with five catches for 112 yards including a 45-yard grab.

Ethan Douglas recorded 13 tackles including 6 solo, 2.5 for loss, and recovered one fumble.  Casey Popenfoose added 8 tackles, while Tony Leggett, Tom Nesvik and Nick Lepperd each made 7 tackles.  Anthony Church was a force in the backfield making 3 tackles for a loss of 12 yards. 

The Peacocks will return home to Eb Eischeid Stadium next Saturday for the final time this season.  Upper Iowa will welcomd the Mavericks of Minnesota State for the 1 p.m. kickoff.  UIU's final two home games will be played at North Fayette High School in Fayette on Nov. 5 and 12 to allow Phase Two of the Football Complex Transformation to begin this fall.