Box Score
Box Score
The Peacock football team traveled to Duluth, Minnesota this afternoon to measure themselves against the nation’s top team. The #1 Bulldogs used a strong and consistent ground attack that picked up 245 yards and big plays on kick returns in the first half to claim a 49-22 victory over Upper Iowa.
The Peacocks surpassed the Bulldogs in total offense for the day (458-407), but penalties on key downs stifled the visitor’s offense. In total, UIU was flagged 10 times for a total of 54 yards, while the home team was only called for two penalties for a five-yard loss.
The Bulldogs scored on their first possession, but Upper Iowa used a 10-play, 74-yard drive to tie the game at 7-7. The drive was highlighted by a 45-yard connection between
Cole Jaeschke and
Jessie Hubbard, but the score came on a broken play. Jaeschke threw his first collegiate touchdown after some confusion on a handoff attempt; the redshirt freshman found
Shay Gutman in the back of the endzone.
The game did not stay tied long, UMD’s Travis Nordhus returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown to put the Bulldogs back ahead 14-7. In the second quarter, the Peacocks scored a pair of field goals by
Steven Sandoval (22 and 30 yards) to keep pace with UMD, 21-13. The first of the Sandoval field goal was set up by a 69-yard run by
Chris Smith, who tallied 133 yards on the afternoon. The Bulldogs put a final first half touchdown on the board to take a 28-13 lead into the locker room.
In the second half, the home team controlled play except for two long Peacock drives. In the third quarter, the Peacocks used a 9-play, 65-yard drive to convert Sandoval’s third trifecta of the day. The on the final drive of the game, Upper Iowa put together a 12-play, 74-yard drive to end the game on a positive note thanks to a one-yard
Jordan Otdoerfer touchdown run up the middle as time expired.
Upper Iowa (1-1, 0-1 NSIC) will return to Fayette for next weekend’s Homecoming game against MSU Moorhead. The Peacocks and Dragons will kickoff at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Today’s Peacock Highlights:
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Freshman Chris Smith ran for 133 yards in just his second collegiate game.
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Redshirt Freshman Cole Jaeschke threw for 231 yards and his first collegiate touchdown.
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Redshirt Freshman Shay Gutman caught his first collegiate touchdown pass.
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Senior Jordan Otdoerfer scored his second touchdown of the season.
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Senior Jessie Hubbard caught 5 passes for 90 yards and returned 5 kicks for 99 yards.
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Junior Steven Sandoval remains perfect on the season; 5-5 field goals and 2-2 extra points.
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Junior Tony Leggett led the team in tackles with 12.
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Sophomore Jordan Andera recorded 11 tackles.
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Sophomore Tom Nesvik registered 9 tackles including 2 for loss.
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Sophomore Ethan Douglas made 8 tackles including .5 for loss.
