Box Score
Records

Upper Iowa (4-4, 1-3 NSIC South) || Southwest Minnesota State (4-4, 2-2 NSIC South)

Recap

In a Northern Sun Conference South Division shootout, the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State outlasted the Peacocks 52-48 and escaped Fayette with the four-point victory. The teams combined for 1198 yards in total offense to hit the century mark on the scoreboard in a game that featured the NSIC's top two offenses. The final outcome was still up for grabs with less than two minutes to play.

Trailing 52-42 with 3:41 to play on Bill Prochaska Night (shown left), the Peacocks used a 3-play, 72-yard drive that took 26 seconds and was highlighted by a 51-yard touchdown pass from Cole Jaeschke to Lucas Hefty. After a missed extra point, UIU trailed 52-48.

The Peacock defense came up big with a three and out and then Josh Lechtenberg blocked the punt to set Upper Iowa up at the SMSU 33-yard line with two and a half minutes to play. Upper Iowa got the ball down to the 6-yard line, but a false start pushed the ball back to the 11 for the fourth down play. UIU's final pass attempt was intercepted in the corner of the endzone to end the Peacock threat.

UIU's first touchdown came as the time faded away in the first quarter on an 11-yard pass from Jaeschke to Hefty to cap off a 97-yard drive and tie the score at 7-7.

The Peacocks fell behind 21-7 and the Mustangs were headed down to extend their lead when linebacker Ethan Douglas batted a pass down in the red zone and into the hands of defensive end Isaiah Donley for a UIU interception which was returned to the UIU 40-yard line.

The home team used the momentum of the turnover to pull within eight, 21-13, as Chris Smith capped off a 10-play drive with a two-yard run over the goalline. A misplay on the ensuing kickoff by SMSU and a strong stance from the Peacock defense gave UIU the ball back quickly. Six plays later, Jaeschke found Derek Giesking from 25 yards out for a touchdown on a great catch by the senior. After a two-point throw to Hefty was successful, the score was tied, 21-21.

Answering with a touchdown of their own were the Mustangs, who rode their running back Tyler Tonderum and quarterback Charlie Kern to reclaim a 28-21 lead with 27 seconds to play in the first half.

Upper Iowa took over with 20 seconds to play at their own 28-yard line after the kick return and needed only two plays to tie the game heading to the break. On a hook-and-ladder on 1st and 10 from the UIU 39, Jaeschke found Giesking at the SMSU 43 and then Giesking pitched to Keaton Hosch. Hosch sprinted down the sideline behind a key block from Smith and reached the endzone after time expired. With the extra point, the teams headed to the locker rooms tied at 28-28.

The Mustangs scored the first ten points of the third quarter and held UIU off the scoreboard until the final minutes of the quarter. Trailing 38-28, the Peacocks used a quick-strike, four-play drive to cover 90 yards as Jaeschke hit Hefty in stride for a 50-yard touchdown down the visitor sideline on a blown coverage by the SMSU defense.

After Upper Iowa closed the third quarter with a quarterback sack, Southwest Minnesota State opened the fourth quarter with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Kern to Anthony Dean just out of the reach of a diving Alex Wahl. The score gave the guests a ten-point lead once again, 45-35.

With 7:15 to play in the game, the Peacocks finished off a 13-play, 59-yard drive with a touchdown cutting the margin back to three, 45-42. On fourth and goal from the one, Jaeschke found Giesking for the second scoring connection for the pair.

SMSU once again had a response to their hosts as Tonderum sprinted up the middle for 31 yards and his second touchdown with 3:41 to play giving the Mustangs a 52-42 advantage on the scoreboard.

After last year's game was decided on the final drive, it was not a surprise that this year's game would come down to the wire as UIU missed on their opportunity in the redzone late in the fourth.

Game Notes

Chris Smith is now second all-time on UIU's career rushing yards list. He passed Gary Marshall (2,731 - 1972-75) tonight and now is within 415 yards of the Peacocks' all-time leader T.C. Hicks (3,198 - 2004-07). Smith has rushed for 2,783 in his Upper Iowa career. The Brown Deer, Wis. native has 1,259 yards rushing this season and is within 167 yards of the Peacock record for rushing yards in a season set by Mike Hatten (1,426) in 2000.

Cole Jaeschke set a new personal-best for touchdown throws in a game with 6 tonight. The number is one short of UIU's record, which was set by Dedrick Sykes (7) versus Dubuque in 2003.

UIU Standouts

Chris Smith (215 rushing yards, 1 TD)... Jaeschke (396 passing yards, 6 TD's)... Hefty (8 catches, 150 yards, 3 TD's)... Derek Giesking (11 catches, 112 yards, 2 TD's)... Keaton Hosch (4 catches, 99 yards, 1 TD)... Alex Wahl (16 tackles, 11 solo, 3 for loss)... Ethan Douglas (16 tackles, 9 solo, 2.5 for loss)... Jordan Andera (15 tackles, 10 solo, 1 for loss).

Next Up

The Peacocks will stay at home next weekend with another game under the lights in Fayette. Upper Iowa will host the Cougars of the University of Sioux Falls at 6 p.m. on Nov. 2.