Box Score

Box Score

Over the first six years of Upper Iowa's time in the Northern Sun Conference, the Peacock football team has not been able to match up with the Warriors of Winona State University.  UIU's closest geographical neighbor in the NSIC has owned the match up including a dominating performance in Winona last year.  But these Peacocks are different... these Peacocks are growing up... and these young, but experienced Peacocks gave the Warriors all they could handle today at Harms-Eischeid Stadium in Fayette.

After Winona State moved out to a 28-7 lead with two and a half minutes to play in the second quarter, Upper Iowa could have been in trouble, but the  Peacocks dug deep and used a 6-play, 91-yard drive that was capped off by a Cole Jaeschke to Keaton Hosch touchdown pass that covered 47 yards and pulled the home team with two scores, 28-14 heading into the locker room.

The Peacocks kept the momentum from the final minutes of the second quarter and drove the ball with a fast-paced offensive attack to open the third quarter with their third touchdown.  Shay Gutman pulled in his first touchdown of the season to bring UIU within striking distance, 28-21. 

Upper Iowa's defense also fed on the momentum and allowed only a field goal to the Warriors in the third quarter.  Trailing 31-21 after the trifecta, the offense stepped back on the field and used an 11-play, 75-yard drive to get the home crowd on their feet.  The drive included a 19-yard hookup between Jaeschke and Lucas Hefty on fourth and ten and a Jaeschke-keeper on fourth and one in the redzone.  Chris Smith scored a touchdown on a dive from one yard out to cut the gap to three, 31-28, heading to the final quarter.

The defense gave the ball right back to the offense to open the fourth quarter after forcing the Warriors to a three and out.  Upper Iowa grabbed a 35-31 lead when Jaeschke and Hosch got together for a second, long touchdown.  The 59-yard score on a scramble by Jaeschke gave the Peacocks their first lead of the day and brought the entire stadium to their feet.

Winona State turned the ball and the offense over to running back Rayon Simmons, who spearheaded a 9-play drive that allowed the visitors to reclaim a 38-35 lead.  Simmons rushed four times for 49 yards and caught one pass for 16 yards; the Warrior runner capped off the drive with a 20-yard rushing touchdown.

On UIU's ensuing possession, the Peacocks began to move the ball toward midfield, but a tipped pass fell in the hands of Jared Mitchell, who returned it 52 yards to the endzone giving the Warriors a ten-point lead, 45-35, midway through the fourth.  Jaeschke and the Peacocks bounced back for another score that got the home team back within three, 45-42.  Upper Iowa covered 75 yards in just under two minutes; the drive included five more completions including Hosch's third touchdown of the day.  The redshirt sophomore from Independence, Iowa pulled down an 18-yard corner route with just under six minutes to play.

UIU's defense forced another punt and gave the offense a final chance to go for the win.  The Peacocks took the ball on their own 34-yard line with 2:47 on the clock.  After a first down put the ball at the UIU 48-yard line, the Peacocks completed two straight passes to set up a third and two.  Winona State's defense locked up the UIU receivers on third and fourth down and UIU turned the ball over on downs. The Warriors ran out the clock and edged out the Peacocks.

Jaeschke completed 33 of his 51 attempts for 464 yards and five touchdowns.  The 464-yard total ties the second highest mark in passing yards in a game in UIU history; Jessie Willis owns the record at 477 yards in a game, while Andrew Jones threw for 464.  The redshirt sophomore has now thrown for 16 touchdowns this season.

Hosch continued his monster season for the Peacocks with 8 catches for 163 yards and 3 touchdowns.  He added five kick returns for 95 yards.  Hosch now has 6 receiving touchdowns and two more on kick returns.

Hefty caught 7 passes for 83 yards and a score, while Gutman accounted for 93 yards and a score on 6 catches and Drew Kaluzny tallied 76 yards on five grabs.

Smith ran for 75 yards and his first touchdown of the season on 21 carries.

The Peacock defense held Winona State to just 4 of 13 on third downs.  UIU was led by Jordan Andera's 13 tackles, while Ethan Douglas and Tony Leggett each registered 10 tackles and Tom Nesvik recorded 9 stops.

Upper Iowa (2-3) will look to even their record next Saturday, Oct. 6, in St. Paul, Minnesota.  The Peacocks will travel to Concordia University, St. Paul to face the Golden Bears at noon.