GAME NINE || SATURDAY, OCT. 27, 2018 || 1 PM
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. || BOB YOUNG FIELD
UPPER IOWA PEACOCKS AT SIOUX FALLS COUGARS
 
THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK FOOTBALL... Upper Iowa (3-5) returns to the gridiron this Saturday in an NSIC South Division battle against the University of Sioux Falls (5-3). The Cougars snapped a two-game skid last Saturday with a 55-21 win at Minnesota State University Moorhead, while the Peacocks lost at St. Cloud State University 34-14 to end their own two-game winning streak. Both teams have faced their share of tough losses this season. USF's three losses have come by a combined 8 points to Winona State University (-1), Bemidji State University (-4) and St. Cloud State (-3). Three of UIU's losses came by a total of 8 points as well; Augustana University (-3), Southwest Minnesota State University (-1) and MSU Moorhead (-4). Fans that can't make it to the game in Sioux Falls, S.D. can listen on AM 950 KOEL, follow the game online through live stats and a webcast at UIUPeacocks.com/Live, or stream the game live through the Stretch Internet app on Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple or Android TV.
 
THE SERIES... Sioux Falls holds a 5-1 lead in the series, which began just six seasons ago. Last year in Fayette, the No. 13 Cougars came to Harms-Eischeid Stadium for Senior Day and the two teams locked up in a defensive battle. After an interception return gave the Cougars a 7-0 lead, the Peacocks were able to tie the game at half 7-7 when Brent Lammers found Keagan Pinter on a corner fade. A pair of Cougar field goals and an offensive touchdown for the visitors were the only marks scratched into the scoreboard in the second half as USF came away with a 19-7 win. The close decision last year put an end to three straight dominant performances by the Cougars, who had posted a 51-7 win in 2016, 69-20 win in 2015 and a 45-21 win in 2014. Four years ago in Fayette, Chris Smith set the single-season mark for rushing yards in a season (1,706); and more importantly, his 258 yards and his three touchdowns of 3, 18 and 59 yards fueled UIU to victory, 30- 28, over the Cougars. In 2012's wild shootout in South Dakota, which was the first-ever meeting between Upper Iowa and Sioux Falls, the nationally-ranked Cougars jumped all over the Peacocks early taking a 37-0 lead. However, UIU quarterback Cole Jaeschke put the team on his right arm and rallied the Peacocks with the greatest passing performance in Upper Iowa history. He threw for 606 yards on 43 completions on 78 attempts; all three totals set Peacock and NSIC records. Sioux Falls held on for a 54-41 win in the series opener.
 
NEARING MILESTONES... Quarterback Brent Lammers is nearing some hefty milestones with three games to play in his senior season. The Manchester, Iowa native passed 1,000 rushing yards in his four-year career, and now Lammers is nearing 6,000 passing yards and 7,000 yards in total offense. The Peacock signal caller needs 366 passing yards to reach the 6K milestone and 318 yards of total offense to reach the 7K plateau.
 
Linebacker Jordan Rommes passed the 200 mark for tackles in his career last week at St. Cloud State. The senior now has 204 tackles in his four years including 133 solo stops.
 
Running back Ryan Parmely is closing in on 2,000 all-purpose yards in his four seasons in Peacock blue. Parmely needs just 173 yards rushing or receiving to climb past the 2K mark. The senior has 1,690 rushing yards and 137 receiving yards in his 34 games.
 
Tight end Skyler Lehman is nearing 100 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards over his three seasons on the field for UIU. Lehman has pulled in 84 passes for 882 yards for 9 touchdowns in his 27 games for Upper Iowa.
 
WHAT TO WATCH FOR... There are several areas for fans to pay attention to this week as it relates to UIU's success this week against the Cougars.
 
• The Cougar rushing attack is averaging 292.9 yards per game and running back Gabriel Watson ran for 320 yards at MSU Moorhead last Saturday. The Peacocks are ranked 13th in the NSIC in rush defense allowing 172 yards per game. UIU's defensive line, linebackers and safeties will have to be ready to hit and wrap up the Cougars to slow the USF running attack.
 
• The Peacocks lead the NSIC and are 9th in the nation in blocked kicks, while the Cougars rank 14th in the conference in blocked kicks allowed with five this season. The UIU special teams unit will be pinning their ears back to come after any kick opportunity.
 
• Kickoffs have been a sticking point for the Peacocks since week one. UIU is 15th in the Northern Sun in kick return defense allowing nearly 22 yards per return, while the USF returners are averaging nearly 22 yards per kickoff, which ranks fourth best in the NSIC. UIU will have to work hard on special teams to ensure that USF does not set up shop with good field position consistently.