GAME SIX || SATURDAY, OCT. 8, 2016 || 2:07 PM
FAYETTE, IOWA || HARMS-EISCHEID STADIUM || HOMECOMING
UPPER IOWA VS WINONA STATE
THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK FOOTBALL... The Peacock football team will look to highlight Upper Iowa's 100th Homecoming with a victory over the Warriors of Winona State University. UIU comes into the contest with a refocused offense that has 76 points and racked up 1,036 yards of total offense in the last two games. Winona State comes in as one of the best teams in the Northern Sun Conference. The Warriors are just three points shy of having an undefeated record. WSU's only blemish on their schedule was a 34-31 at the University of Minnesota Duluth in week two. Upper Iowa carries the third highest sack total in the NSIC with 17 and will need some big plays to upset Winona State.
THE SERIES... Upper Iowa defeated Winona State University 35-21 in Winona, Minn. on Saturday afternoon fueled by quarterback
Dimitri Morales' five touchdowns and a stubborn defense that didn't allow their hosts to convert on possession downs. The victory marked UIU's first win over the Warrior football program. Winona State had claimed all eleven previous meetings with Upper Iowa including nine victories since Upper Iowa moved up to NCAA Division II and joined the NSIC. The Warriors and Peacocks locked up in a shootout on UIU's Homecoming four seasons ago with WSU edging the home team, 45-42.
"PORTIS" AND THE HARE... Derrick Portis isn't reminding anyone of a tortoise with his speed and quickness in the hole this season. After returning to the lineup on week three, the sophomore running back has gone over 100-yards in the last three games posting totals of 139, 114 and 143 for a total of 396 yards (10th NSIC) and an average of 6.6 yards/carry (17th NCAA/5th NSIC). Portis has scored 7 touchdowns for 42 points (19th NCAA/2nd NSIC) in his four games played.
STICKY HANDS... Redshirt junior
Jarred Edmonds and senior
Jalen Amis have been the top targets for
Dimitri Morales and
Brent Lammers. Edmonds has caught 32 passes (37th NCAA/5th NSIC) for 382 yards (8th NSIC) and 4 touchdowns (9th NSIC) and Amis has pulled in 30 balls (52nd NCAA/8th NSIC) for 372 yards (10th NSIC) including 13 last week at Southwest Minnesota State. Amis has added 15 rushing yards on 3 attempts. Amis is averaging 12.4 yards/catch, while Edmonds is picking up 11.9 yards/grab.
"SKY"S THE LIMIT... Redshirt freshman
Skyler Lehman has broken onto the scene in 2016. The Peacock tight end has 22 grabs including 11 last week for 179 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Lehman is picking up 8.1 yards per catch.
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES... The Upper Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame will be inducting five new members after the game. They are Gary Peterson (1965), James Rarick (1999), Clint Rodgers (1996), Dwight Spangler (1966) and Jesus Wilson (2004).
THE BROADCAST TEAM... Play-by-play announcer, and Upper Iowa alum, Joe Stasi is in his 14th consecutive season as the "Voice of the Peacocks" and 16th overall. Joining Stasi this week is Chris Shaw, who graduated from Upper Iowa with a Bachelor's degree in sports communication and a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration. He also worked in the UIU sports communication office for six years during his undergrad and graduate time in Fayette. The AM 950 KOEL pre-game show is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
