Upper Iowa fell to 3-6 overall and 1-4 in the Northern Sun Conference South Division after a 34-7 loss at the University of Sioux Falls on Saturday. The Cougars scored 21 points in the opening quarter and didn't look back to secure the home victory and improve to 6-3 overall and 4-1 in the NSIC South.

Sioux Falls scored touchdowns on all three of the their possessions in the first quarter and racked up 232 yards of offense in the opening frame. Colton Myles scored the first touchdown for the Cougars and Gabriel Watson added the second two on runs, but Sioux Falls was doing the majority of their damage through the air. The exception to the air attack from USF was an 81-yard run by Watson; the nation's rushing leader was stuffed up the middle, but bounced to the outside and raced down the sideline. Isaac Barrett ran Watson down from behind to save the score on the play. Quarterback Caden Walters completed all seven of his passes in the quarter.

Upper Iowa's Daniel Ruffin Jr. intercepted a pass by Walters in the end zone to shut down USF's scoring streak, but the home team added a fourth touchdown and a 30-yard field goal prior to halftime to take a 31-0 lead into the break. The touchdown capped off a 5-play, 69-yard drive and came on a Walters to Michael Maxwell 47-yard connection.

In the first half, Sioux Falls posted a 421-93 yard advantage in total offense possessing the ball for 18 minutes and converting on four of their five third downs, while holding Upper Iowa to three of ten on third down.

In the second half, the Upper Iowa offense and defense both made solid adjustments. UIU limited the Cougars to just three points on the scoreboard thanks to a 40-yard field goal from Mason Laramie. Sioux Falls picked up 195 yards of offense in the second half and UIU was able to contain both the running and passing attack.

Offensively, the Peacocks picked up 201 yards on offense in the third and fourth quarters and reached the red zone on three occasions. Upper Iowa came away without points on the first two red zone trips as drives stopped at the Cougar 15 and 4-yard lines.

Upper Iowa stuck their final drive into the endzone on a 14-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off with an 8-yard pass and catch from Brent Lammers to Skyler Lehman setting the final score at 34-7.

Lammers completed 15 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown and added 33 rushing yards as well. Billy O'Neill led the running attack with 43 yards and added 2 catches for 17 yards, while Ryan Parmely added 32 on the ground. Lehman caught 4 passes for 44 yards and a score, while D.J. Emsweller caught 3 balls for 26 yards and Bralin Simon had a pair for 32 yards.

USF was led by Watson, who ran for 185 yards and a pair of scores, and Walters, who threw for 283 yards and a score. Ty Smith caught 8 passes for 94 yards and Maxwell pulled in 7 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown.

Tanner Thompson and Isaac Barrett both recorded 8 tackles and a tackle for loss, while Nic Patterson also tallied 8 tackles. Jordan Wymer added 6 stops from his safety position.

Brody Granthum and Michael Enalls registered 7 tackles apiece and Tucker Stout posted 6 stops.

Upper Iowa will be back at home next Saturday, Nov. 3 for Senior Day. The Peacocks will host the Wildcats of Wayne State College for a 12 p.m. kickoff.