Upper Iowa dropped a home game at Harms-Eischeid Stadium on Saturday night in Fayette after a 45-minute delay due to lightning in the area. The #4 Mavericks of Minnesota State University, Mankato dominated the match up with the Peacocks claiming a 52-7 victory to remain undefeated at 7-0. With the loss, UIU falls to 4-3 overall and 1-2 against the NSIC South Division.
 
Minnesota State scored the first 36 points of the game by the midway point of the second quarter on five touchdowns and a safety. Upper Iowa scored the final points of the first half when Brent Lammers found Skyler Lehman over the middle on back-to-back plays that covered 23 yards on 4th and 8 and 10 yards on 1st and goal to give the home team their only score in the game. MSU added two touchdowns and a field goal in the second half to set the final score at 52-7.
 
For the game, the Mavericks average starting field position was their own 39-yard line and the visitors didn't waste their opportunities. Minnesota State scored eight times on their sixteen possessions including seven touchdowns and a 25-yard field goal. Upper Iowa started their possessions on their 21-yard line and just couldn't get much traction against the Maverick defense. Punter Nate Skare was a busy man for the Peacocks recording 12 punts with an average of 43.8 yards and a long of 59 yards.
 
Minnesota State earned huge advantages in first downs (24-6), rushing yards (359-14) and passing yards (229-136). For the game, the Mavericks picked up an average of 8.1 yards per play while the Peacocks gained just 2.5 yards per play.
 
Erik Hansen led the defense with 8 tackles including 5 solo stops, while Tate Thompson and Jordan Rommes each tacked on 6 tackles apiece. Thompson registered a pair of tackles for loss, while Rommes intercepted a pass near the goalline.
 
Upper Iowa will be on the road next Saturday for another NSIC South Division fight with the Vikings of Augustana College. The game will take place in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Saturday,Oct. 21 beginning at 1 p.m.