Upper Iowa lost a 21-20 decision at Southwest Minnesota State University on Saturday as the Mustangs snapped an 11-game losing streak to post their first win of the season. Both teams scored a touchdown in each of the first three quarters before held off the scoreboard in the fourth quarter. Both teams are now 1-3 in the Northern Sun this season.
 
After rushing for just 88 yards on 86 attempts prior to Saturday, the Mustangs found their stride against the Peacocks rushing for 137 yards led by Max Simmons, who ran for 154 yards on 30 carries.
 
The Mustangs took advantage of a fumbled snap by the Peacocks to take over at their own 31-yard line for their first possession. SMSU used an 8-play, 69-yard drive highlighted by a Blake Gimbel to Aaron Murphy 56-yard touchdown pass on 3rd and 21.
 
UIU looked to have tied the game up late in the first quarter when Brent Lammers capped off a 11-play, 80-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run. Lammers threw three passes for first downs in the drive. Unfortunately, the point after attempt failed and UIU remained a point behind.
 
Late in the second quarter, the Peacock defense stood up and forced a three and out deep in Mustang territory. UIU's Daniel Ruffin Jr. caught the punt at the SMSU 45-yard line and then returned it 55 yards darting between would-be tacklers into the endzone to give the Peacocks a 13-7 lead.
 
The home team took over with 1:56 to play in the half at their own 25-yard line. Gimbel led a 10-play, 75-yard drive to score the tying touchdown and go-ahead extra point to lead 14-13 heading into the break. Gimbel completed 7 of his 8 passes on the drive including the final completion to Max Simmons for a 19-yard touchdown with just 17 seconds to play in the first half.
 
The Mustangs looked to build on their momentum prior to half and took the opening kick of the third quarter into UIU territory. Facing a third down at the Peacock 26-yard line, Jordan Wymer intercepted a Gimbel pass and returned it to the 31-yard line. Twelve plays and 69 yards later, Lammers hit Keagan Pinter for an 18-yard touchdown and pushed the Peacocks back into the lead 20-14.
 
On the ensuing kickoff, the home team mixed in eight rushes including six by Simmons. The Mustang running back picked up 40 yards on the drive. Gimbel closed out the drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Davis and the extra point pushed SMSU back on top 21-20 with 4:32 to play in the third quarter.
The Peacocks took a gamble on their drive that spanned the fourth quarter break, but came up empty. Upper Iowa moved the ball 55 yards in 11 plays, but faced a fourth down at the SMSU 28-yard line and turned the ball over on downs after an incomplete pass by Lammers.
 
UIU's defense stood strong and forced a quick punt and the Peacocks quickly got back inside the Mustang 30-yard line. Unfortunately, on second down Lammers had a pass intercepted at the line of scrimmage.
 
Late in the fourth quarter, SMSU had pushed back into Peacock territory, but a third interception by Gimbel gave Upper Iowa one final chance. Isaac Barrett grabbed the pick and returned it to the 36-yard line.
 
Upper Iowa's final possession did not pan out though as Lammers' fourth down pass attempt was intercepted  SMSU got the one first down they needed to win and then went into victory formation for the final play.
 
Antoine Conner led the Peacocks with 112 yards on 24 carries, while Lammers threw for 234 yards. Pinter paced the receivers with 81 yards and 1 touchdown.
 
Defensively, Mitchel Siech led the group with 12 solo tackles including 4 tackles for loss and a sack. Nicolas Corley and Isaac Barrett both tallied 8 tackles while Nic Patterson and Jesse Hynek each tallied 7 tackles.
 
The Peacocks will welcome the Dragons of Minnesota State University Moorhead next Saturday to Harms-Eischeid Stadium at 3:05 p.m. Upper Iowa will celebrate Service Appreciation Day next week.