Box Score After the #21 Cougars of Sioux Falls jumped all over the Peacocks early and took a 37-0 lead, redshirt-sophomore quarterback Cole Jaeschke put the team on his right arm and rallied UIU with the greatest passing performance in Upper Iowa history.  The final scoreboard showed Sioux Falls 54 - Upper Iowa 41 in a game that was filled with runs and dominance by each team.  With the loss, UIU falls to 2-7 on the year and 0-5 in the NSIC South.

Their were some blemishes on the signal caller's stat sheet including four interceptions, but Jaeschke (shown, left) threw for 606 yards, a Peacock record, on 43 completions in 78 attempts, also both records.  He threw for five touchdowns and also ran for 25 yards and a touchdown. Jaeschke is now second all-time in passing yards in a career with 5,149 and sits in third place in passing touchdowns in a season (24) and in a career (37). 

Sioux Falls took a 23-0 lead into the second quarter and looked to have control of the game, especially after UIU had driven the ball to the USF 23-yard line, but on second down, Jaeschke threw an interception which was returned for 77 yards and a score giving the home team a 30-0 lead.  After a three and out, the Cougars though they had put the game away with a three-play, 57 yard drive to push out to a 37-0 lead.

But Upper Iowa dug down and began to fight.  Back-to-back touchdowns allowed UIU to show a pulse.  The scores came on a 34-yard connection and a 48-yard connection between Jaeschke and Hosch.  When the Peacock defense forced a three and out, UIU took the ball at their own 18-yard line with 5:22 to play in the half. 

The Peacocks drove the ball to the Cougar goal line, but fell just inches short of their third straight touchdown on a fourth and goal play.  With momentum on their side, Upper Iowa headed to the locker room trailing 37-14.

As the third quarter wound down, the Peacocks got their third touchdown on a Jaeschke two-yard run into the endzone.  The Peacock defense rose to the challenge again and forced another three and out which Jaeschke and the offense turned into a touchdown throw on fourth and ten.  Jaeshcke hooked up with Hosch for the third time on the strike pulling the Peacocks within nine, 37-28, at the end of the third quarter.

Sioux Falls got the wind behind them in the fourth and took advantage with a 62-yard scoring strike by Taylor Perkins (230 Yards, 3 TD's) and a 27-yard field goal from the foot of Braden Wieking.

Upper Iowa still had one push left in them though.  Following the field goal, the Peacocks used a 10-play, 75-yard drive to pull back within thirteen, 47-34, thanks to a five-yard score from Jaeschke to Giesking.  UIU forced a punt and took over at their own 20-yard line after a touchback with 2:31 to play. 

UIU used the next two mintues and ten seconds to cover 80 yards and get within six, 47-41, of their hosts.  A huge play on the drive came on fourth down, when Jaeschke rushed 10 yards forward and just picked up the first down to keep the possession alive.  With 27 seconds to play, the UIU quarterback found Giesking again for a 1-yard score.

The Peacocks lined up for the onside kick, but Nick Bonte picked up a nice bounce and broke free for a 42-yard touchdown return.

UIU got back into the redzone one final time, but the clock ran out and the Peacocks fell 54-41.

The recipients of those passing yards and scoring throws were Keaton Hosch (14 catches, 281 yards, 3 TD's), Shay Gutman (12 catches, 181 yards), Derek Giesking (9 catches, 65 yards, 2 TD's) and Drew Kaluzny (5 catches, 61 yards).  

Ethan Douglas led the Peacock defense with 11 tackles, while Jordan Andera added 8 including two tackles for loss.  Tom Nesvik and Tony Leggett each picked up 6.

Upper Iowa will host Wayne State in the team's final home game of the season next Saturday.  UIU's seniors will be recognized prior to the game.  Kickoff at Harms-Eischeid Stadium is set for 1 p.m. on Nov. 3.