Box Score Records

Upper Iowa (5-4, 2-3 NSIC South) || Sioux Falls (5-4, 3-2 NSIC South)

Recap

Video Links - Chris Smith Postgame | First Half Highlights | Second Half Highlights

For the fourth time this season and sixth in his three years in an Upper Iowa uniform, Peacock running back Chris Smith rushed for over 200 yards in a game. But on this night in Fayette, Smith became set the new single-season mark for rushing yards in a season breaking Mike Hatten's record of 1,426 yards in 2000. Smith's 258 yards tonight against the University of Sioux Falls push his season total to 1,517 with two games to play, but more importantly the yards and his three touchdowns of 3, 18 and 59 yards fueled UIU to their fifth victory of the season, 30-28.

The 258 yards are the third most all-time in a game by a Peacock runner. Smith owns the top three marks of 278, 266 and 258 on that list. His 14 rushing touchdowns this season rank fourth all-time at UIU and the junior from Brown Deer, Wis. is now just 167 yards shy of the all-time rushing yards in a career mark held by T.C. Hicks (3,198 – 2004-07) after reaching the 3,000-yard plateau tonight (3,032).

Upper Iowa's defense also came up big tonight on fourth down. While the Cougars of Sioux Falls had success on third down (11-22) the Peacock defense denied all three USF attempts on fourth down including a fourth and goal from the one-yard line. The Peacock defense was also able to control the Cougars' running back, Nephi Garcia, who rushed for 80 yards and a score, but failed to reach 100 yards snapping a seven-game streak of hitting the century mark.

Upper Iowa put points on the scoreboard in each of the four quarters and held on for the two-point win despite a rally from the Cougars, who scored 21 points in the final quarter.

The Peacocks were first on the board as Smith scampered in from three yards out capping off UIU's opening drive that went 61 yards in 6 plays and just a minute and thirty seconds. After the Cougars tied the game with a 91-yard drive near the end of the first quarter, the defenses for both teams began to control play and kept points from adding up on the scoreboard until the final minutes of the half.

With just under a minute and a half to play in the first half, quarterback Cole Jaeschke completed three passes including a quick out to tight end Lucas Hefty, who caught it in stride and broke several tackles on his way to the end zone for a 37-yard scoring strike with only 25 seconds to play in the half. The score and point after gave the home team a 14-7 lead at the break.

UIU took the opening kick of the second half and 12 plays later, Tim Rueb knocked home a 30-yard field goal to give the home team a 17-7 lead. The margin remained at ten for the remainder of the quarter but as the teams switched ends for the fourth quarter, the Peacocks had moved into the redzone. Just one play into the final frame, Smith rushed over the goal line from 18-yards out putting UIU ahead 23-7 after the extra point hit the upright.

Sioux Falls answered the score with a touchdown on their next possession on a 3-yard rush by Garcia and added a two-point conversion making it a one-score difference, 23-15. The teams exchanged turnovers on their next three possessions with UIU throwing an interception, Chayz Holt getting an interception at the goal line and then Smith fumbling at the UIU 14-yard line setting up the Cougars in the redzone.

USF once again scored, this time on a pass from Carrington Hanna to Wes Smith for five yards. The Peacock defense turned away the Cougars two-point attempt though preserving the slim margin, 23-21, with just over seven minutes to play.

On Upper Iowa's ensuing possession, Smith found a hole off the right tackle and split the second-level defenders racing through the end zone for the 59-yard touchdown. The score and point-after gave UIU a 30-21 lead with a little over five minutes to play.

The Peacock defense forced a turnover on downs near midfield, but still had to come back to the field one last time. A solid punt by freshman Cameron Vinsand left the Cougars 93 yards away from the end zone and needing two scores with 1:39 on the clock.

Sioux Falls slowly marched down the field with quick outs to the sideline as Upper Iowa backed off a bit and ensured no deep threats. USF scored a touchdown on a pass from Hanna to Austin Vanhove with 5 seconds to play and with the extra point trailed 30-28.

The onside kick by USF was a beauty and bounced off a UIU player and into the hands of the Cougars at their own 45-yard line with 4.5 seconds. A quick out to the UIU-47 gave the visitors time for one desperate throw down field. Hanna rolled out and let the ball fly; linebacker Alex Wahl ended the game and the threat with an interception at the 7-yard line as time expired.

UIU Standouts

Offense:
Smith (37 carries for 258 yards and 3 TDs)… Jaeschke (23-30, 191 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 11 carries for 73 yards)… Derek Giesking (11 catches for 112 yards)… Trey MacTaggart (5 catches for 25 yards, 3 kick returns for 54 yards)… Hefty (2 catches for 38 yards and 1 TD)… Drew Kaluzny (4 catches for 19 yards)

Defense:
Ethan Douglas (19 tackles, 8 solo, 1.5 for loss)… Holt (18 tackles, 10 solo, .5 for loss, 1 INT)… Keaton Martin (13 tackles, 9 solo, .5 for loss)… Tyler Fisher (12 tackles, 6 solo)… Alex Wahl (12 tackles, 6 solo, 2 for loss, 1 sack)

Next Up

Upper Iowa will be on the road next week for the final road game of the 2013 regular season. The Peacocks will take on the Wildcats of Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb. The game is set for a 1 p.m. kick on Nov. 9.