Box Score
Records
Upper Iowa 4-2 (1-1 NSIC South) || Concordia-St. Paul 3-3 (0-2 NSIC)
Recap
The Peacock coaching staff decided on a game plan early this week. Upper Iowa's run game, the fifth-best in the NSIC averaging 200 yards per game before today, was to be the focus against a stingy defense led by a talented defensive line. Running back
Chris Smith was going to get a heavy dose of the ball and UIU believed he was up to the task. The team wasn't dissapointed. Behind an impressive performance from the offensive line, Smith rushed for 266 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries to lead Upper Iowa's rally to secure their first win, 28-24, over Concordia University, St. Paul in eight tries.
After Upper Iowa took a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter on the back of two Smith touchdown runs from 1 and 30 yards away, Concordia-St. Paul took control of the action in the second quarter. A 25-yard touchdown pass cut the gap to four points and a punt block was scooped up and returned for a score on UIU's ensuing possession. The Golden Bears three-point lead, 17-14, held up through the remainder of the half.
Concordia came out in the third quarter and took the opening drive 67 yards in 10 plays taking over five minutes off the clock. The drive ended with a Golden Bear 23-yard pass play into the endzone putting the Peacocks in a ten-point hole, 24-14.
In front of a large and loud crowd in Fayette, the Peacocks found a way in the fourth quarter. The Peacocks opened the final period with the ball at the UIU 19 after forcing a punt from CU. UIU quarterback
Cole Jaeschke found
Derek Giesking for a 19-yard hookup on the first play and Smith followed it with a 17-yard rush near midfield. Smith capped off the 81-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run to the pylon pulling Upper Iowa within three points, 24-21.
After Concordia's defense held UIU to just 17 yards on their next possession, the Peacock defense had to come in and quickly force the Golden Bears to give the ball back. CU took the ball with 6:51 on the clock and only gained 7 yards on 4 plays to make the road team punt. A great punt dove out of bounds at the 9-yard line pinning Upper Iowa deep in their own end with 4:14 to play.
With their backs on the goalline, the Peacocks turned to the run game once again. Smith rushed for 13 yards on the first play and then broke free four plays later for a 55-yard run through the Golden Bear defense giving UIU a first down at the Concordia 11-yard line. Two plays later, Jaeschke faked the handoff to Smith breaking toward the right tackle and then rolled out on a bootleg toward the left pylon for the 8-yard score. Harms-Eischeid Stadium came to their feet as UIU took a 28-24 lead with 1:59 to play.
On four occasions, the Golden Bears and Peacocks have played games in which the final decision was not set until the final quarter of action and in multiple cases on the last play. The Peacocks knew they still would have to work hard to keep Concordia from spoiling their comeback.
The Golden Bears took the ball at their own 32-yard line and used 9 plays to cover 63 yards and set themselves up with a first and goal at the 5-yard line. Three straight incomplete passes set up a winner-take all final play on fourth down. CU's quarterback rolled out to free space but couldn't connect with his receiver in the endzone. UIU got the victory they have not been able to secure against the Golden Bears since the series began in 2006.
The win also marks the most wins in a season for Upper Iowa since the 1999 campaign when the Peacocks finished 6-4.
UIU Standouts
Smith (266 yards, 34 rushes, 3 TDs, 43 rec. yards, 4 catches)... Jaeschke (183 yards passing, 14 yards rushing, 1 TD)... Giesking (10 catches, 90 yards)...
Lucas Hefty (21 yards receiving, 4 catches)...
Ethan Douglas (10 tackles, 4 solo, 1 for loss)...
Jordan Andera (7 tackles)...
Jeff Arends (7 tackles)...
Chayz Holt (7 tackles)...
Tyler Fisher (7 tackles)...
Gustavo Rocha (4-4 extra points, 0-1 FG)
Next Up
The Peacocks will travel to Sioux Falls, S.D. next Saturday for a game with the Vikings of Augustana College.
