After a forgettable first half, the Peacocks put together a memorable quarter to climb back into their football game at Concordia University, St. Paul on Saturday afternoon.  The Golden Bears took a 31-10 lead into halftime and were in total control through the first 30 minutes of the game.  However, Upper Iowa scored 24 unanswered points in the third quarter to take a three-point lead into the final period.
 
In the fourth quarter, Concordia kicker Tom Obarski nailed a 56-yarder to tie the game, 34-34, and was lined up for the game-winner from 37 yards, but missed just to the right of the goalposts giving the Peacocks a third life in the game.  Upper Iowa took the ball first in overtime, but missed on their 34-yard field goal try and then Obarski ended the game for the home team with a successful field goal from 42 yards as Concordia won 37-34.
 
The story in the loss for Upper Iowa is Shay Gutman.  The senior wide receiver caught 12 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown becoming Upper Iowa's all-time leader in receiving yards with 2,700 in his four years passing UIU Athletics Hall of Famer Jackie Bridges, who racked up 2,642 yards from 1989-92.  Gutman is also just 11 receptions (183 in four years) shy of Dwayne Croker's (2004-07) program record of 194 catches.
 
The passing offense led the team on day as Gutman and Derek Giesking both went over 100 yards, tight end Lucas Hefty picked up 99 yards and a score and Trey MacTaggart had 55 yards.  Quarterback Cole Jaeschke completed 38 of his 59 passes for 445 yards and two touchdowns.  On the ground, the Peacocks missed Chris Smith, one of the nation's top running backs, for the second week in a row due to injury.  The team only managed 33 yards on the ground, but Evan Dornink did find the endzone for the second week in a row.
 
Concordia took advantage of a pair of short-fields, a pair of long drives and a special teams touchdown on a kickoff to score 31 points in the opening half including 17 straight after Upper Iowa had closed the gap to 14-10.  UIU trailed 14-0 when Jaeschke found Gutman for a 69-yard strike that pulled the visitors back into the game early in the second quarter.  Tim Rueb followed with a 36-yard field goal to pull UIU within four, 14-10. 
 
On the ensuing kickoff, Jim Mireri returned the ball 91 yards to the endzone to restore the home team's double-digit lead, 21-10.  Concordia's defense then forced a punt and blocked it taking over just 25 yards away from the goal line.  Another touchdown three plays later gave the Golden Bears a 28-10 advantage which they added to right before half with a 35-yard field goal with 9 seconds on the clock.
 
Trailing 31-10 as the third quarter started, the Peacock defense came out strong and allowed only 110 yards of offense including just 39 yards in the third quarter.  Concordia's offense was limited to just 12 plays on their first four possessions as the Golden Bears punted three times and Chayz Holt registered his seventh interception of the season.
 
While the UIU defense hit their stride, the offense exploded for 24 points thanks to a touchdown run by Jaeschke (1 yard), a 61-yard scoring reception by Hefty, a 27-yard field goal from Rueb and a 16-yard run to over the goal line by Dornink to come-from-behind and take a 34-31 lead in the third quarter.
 
In the fourth quarter, Upper Iowa was beginning to move the ball again toward midfield, but a fumble at their own 44-yard line gave Concordia the ball on UIU's side of the field.  Jaeschke completed a pass to MacTaggart for a modest gain, but a Golden Bear defender knocked it loose and the home team picked it up. 
 
UIU's defense did well allowing only five yards to the Golden Bears, but Obarski, who is one of the nation's top kickers, came on the field and split the uprights from 56 yards away pulling Concordia even with Upper Iowa just a with over 10 minutes to play in the fourth.
 
Obarski and the Golden Bears looked to have the game-winning field goal lined up from 37 yards with 17 seconds to play, but the kick missed just right.  After a Peacock kneel-down, the game went to overtime.
 
In overtime, the Peacocks had the ball first, but missed a 39-yard field goal try.  Concordia took over and after the UIU defense did not allow them to gain a yard, Obarski nailed a 42-yarder for the win and his third made field goal of the day.
 
UIU's defense was led by linebackers Alex Wahl (13 tackles, 9 solo, 1 for loss) and Tyler Fisher (10 tack, 6 solo, 2 for loss, 1 sack), who combined for 23 tackles including three for loss. Tate Thompson had 8 tackles, while Holt made 7 stops to go with his interception and Jevell Rollins recorded 7 tackles with 1.5 for loss.  Jordan McFadden also registered an interception in the second half.
 
Next Saturday, the Peacocks will celebrate their seniors in UIU's final home game of the season.  Upper Iowa will lineup with Wayne State College on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m.