GAME NINE || SATURDAY, OCT. 28, 2017 || 2:07 PM
FAYETTE, IOWA || HARMS-EISCHEID STADIUM
UPPER IOWA VS. SMSU || HOMECOMING 2017

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THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK FOOTBALL... Upper Iowa returns home for the first of two straight games at Harms-Eischeid Stadium as they host Homecoming 2017. The Peacocks will meet the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs in a key matchup in the NSIC South division. UIU is coming off its first-ever win in Sioux Falls, S.D. at Augustana University, after holding off the Vikings for a 21-20 victory. SMSU looks to snap a five-game losing streak, and had nine days off after a 54-7 loss to No. 4 Minnesota State. A win Saturday would guarantee Upper Iowa its fourth winning season in the last five years, but prior to 2013, the team only finished with more wins than losses five times since 1966. UIU looks for its fourth six-win campaign under Head Coach Tom Shea.

IF YOU CAN'T BE IN FAYETTE... Fans in eastern Iowa will be able to see the game on KCRG-TV 9.3. Live stats and a live webcast are available through the links above or at UIUPeacocks.com/Live. Fans can also watch the game through the Stretch Internet app on Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple or Android TV. Finally, an audio broadcast on AM 950 KOEL will be available for the game.
 
THE SERIES... Southwest Minnesota State leads the all-time series 11-2 having won the last nine straight. Last season's wild shootout in Marshall saw the Mustangs post a 59-42 victory after the teams combined for over 1,300 yards of total offense. SMSU held a 482-388 advantage in passing yards, while both teams rushed for over 200 yards. From 2011-14, the four matchups were decided by just twelve points combined; three were played in Marshall, Minn. The Mustangs won 28-24 in 2011 and 38-37 in 2012 before holding off a first and goal for UIU with under a minute to play in 2013 to claim a 52-48 win in Fayette.  In 2014, the Mustangs scored 14 fourth quarter points to claim a come-from-behind 28-25 win over UIU; the loss was UIU's first of the season after opening 5-0.  Two years ago, Upper Iowa took a 19-14 lead into halftime in Fayette, but the Mustangs put 20 points on the board in the second half while shutting out the Peacock offense to post a 34-19 victory. The UIU wins in the series came in 2004 (28-16) and in 2007 (39-27).
 
COUNTING TO 100 BY ONES... Senior kicker Brady Beuschel surpassed the century mark for extra points made in his career last Saturday at Augustana. His three successful kicks at Augustana give him 101 in his career, which is new career high for any kicker in UIU history. Beuschel also owns the career mark in made field goals (19).
 
BATTLE OF STRENGTHS... The strength of the Mustang offense is their passing game, which averages 238.5 yards per game. SMSU will have to deal with Upper Iowa's pass defense, which is allowing the fourth least passing yards in the nation. The Peacocks are only giving up 140.1 yards per game through the air and are averaging 2.5 sacks per game as well, which ranks fifth-best in the NSIC.
 
NOT TIPPING THE SCALES... Upper Iowa is using a balanced offense this season and keeping defenses guessing run or pass. The Peacocks are gaining 370.8 yards per game in total offense and are almost split in half between the ground game and air attack. UIU is gaining 185.9 yards per game on the ground behind the legs of quarterback Brent Lammers and running backs Ryan Parmely, Antoine Conner and Jon Deprey. The Peacocks are accounting for all but one yard of that total through the air averaging 184.9 yards per game behind Lammers and his receivers led by Jarred Edmonds, Brandyn Tulloch, Skyler Lehman and Jesse Vizzini.
 
DOUBLE THREAT... Lammers, a junior for UIU, is the personification of the Peacocks' balanced offense. The Manchester, Iowa product is second in the Northern Sun Conference in total offense with 242.6 yards per game (50th NCAA). Lammers has gained 1,449 passing yards (4th most in the NSIC) and 492 rushing yards, which is tops among quarterbacks in the conference. No stranger to the end zone, Lammers has hit paydirt 10 times through the air and 5 times on the ground.
 
LIVING ON THE OTHER SIDE... Upper Iowa has recorded 60 tackles for a loss (40th NCAA/4th NSIC) of 235 yards with 19 Peacocks making at least .5 recording at least a half tackle for loss. Jesse Hynek and Mitchel Siech lead the team with 7, while Jojo Simpson (6.5), Keith Schwickerath (5.5), Isaac Freese (5.5) and Tate Thompson (5) are all close behind. The Peacocks have gotten to the quarterback 21 times (42nd NCAA/5th NSIC) this season with 10 players registering at least a half sack. Freese leads the way with 4, while Simpson has 3 and five players are tied with 2 sacks apiece.
 
THE BROADCAST TEAM... Play-by-play announcer, and 1991 Upper Iowa alum, Joe Stasi is in his 15th consecutive season as the "Voice of the Peacocks" and 17th overall. This week he will be joined by 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.