GAME EIGHT || SATURDAY, OCT. 26, 2019 || 1 PM
DULUTH, MINN. || MALOSKY STADIUM
UIU PEACOCKS AT UMD BULLDOGS

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THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK FOOTBALL... Upper Iowa is coming off their first win of the 2019 campaign after a 45-24 decision against Minnesota Crookston. The Bulldogs enter the game having dropped a 34-3 match up with the University of Sioux Falls on the road. UMD has lost two of their last three games, but the losses did come on the road to the Cougars and at No. 3 Minnesota State University, Mankato (52-7). Both teams will look to their defenses, their running games and field position to grind out a victory.
 
LIVE OPTIONS… The game will be broadcast live on AM 950 KOEL. The game can be streamed through the NSIC app on Roku and Amazon Fire devices, as well as Apple and Android televisions. Live stats and a webcast are also available online at UIUPeacocks.com/Live.
 
The Series... The Bulldogs own a 7-0 record against the Peacocks since Upper Iowa moved up to NCAA Division II. The last time the two teams got together in Fayette was two seasons ago. Ball control was the main factor in the game, as the visiting Bulldogs ran 80 plays and held the ball for 40:49, while Upper Iowa ran just 57 plays on the day for 19:11. After trailing 21-17, UMD outscored UIU 16-0 in the fourth quarter to take the lead and pull away for the victory. In 2015, the squads had to fight through the fury of Lake Superior, which unleashed a thick fog prior to the game making visibility a major issue throughout the whole contest. The fog was constant from mid-afternoon through the end of the game and made it hard on players and fans alike. After falling behind 18-0 at halftime, Upper Iowa rallied with 24 points in the second half taking a 24-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter. UMD scored the go-ahead touchdown with less than four minutes to play and UIU's final drive stalled at midfield as the team fell despite a great effort 28-24.
 
TOUGH AGAINST THE PASS… Both the Peacocks and Bulldogs have been stingy against the pass this season. Minnesota Duluth is allowing the second-least passing yards in the Northern Sun Conference and is ranked 16^th nationally at 153.4 yards per game. Upper Iowa is not far behind with the NSIC's fourth-lowest amount (39^th in NCAA DII) at 177.0 yards per game. While each team has had success against opponent's passing attacks, they are both susceptible to good ground games. The Bulldogs allow nearly 140 yards per game to rushers (9^th NSIC), and the Peacocks are giving up nearly 190 yards per game on the ground (12^th NSIC). Both teams use a balanced attack on offense which means the game may come down to who can buck the defense trends set through the first seven weeks of the season.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS… Both teams punt the ball well and are ranked in the top half of the Northern Sun with net averages above 35 yards per punt. However, the Bulldogs have feasted on punt coverage teams averaging over 14 yards per return, which ranks first among NSIC schools and 21^st nationally. UMD has used the returns to set up their offense with good field position.
 
GETTING DEFENSIVE… Erik Hansen and Christian Ruff are putting together a pair of solid seasons from their defensive end positions. Hansen is second on the team in tackles with 30 including a team-high 11 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks; he has also forced and recovered a pair of fumbles. Ruff has come on strong over the last few weeks with 20 tackles including 5.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks. As a team, the Peacocks have recorded 58 tackles for loss (23^rd NCAA/2nd NSIC) and 19 sacks (28^th NCAA/6^th NSIC) over the opening seven weeks. Fans of defensive line play are in luck this Saturday; UMD has posted identical team totals in tackles for loss and sacks. A quartet of seniors in the secondary, Isaac Barrett, Michael Sparkman, Daniel Ruffin Jr. and Terrell Powell have combined to hold four of the five top tackle totals on the team this season. All four have been good in run support and part of the reason teams have had trouble picking up big chunks of yards in the passing game. The quartet has combined for 117 tackles with Barrett's 44 leading the charge and Ruffin has two interceptions.
 
ONE-TWO PUNCH… Matt McDonald and LeVon Bellemy have been working well together in the Peacock backfield. Combined the pair have run for 740 yards and 6 touchdowns averaging over 100 yards per game. Bellemy, a freshman, has used his power running attack to average 3.9 yards per attempt, while the senior McDonald has flashed his speed to average 4.6 yards per carry.
 
GOOD HANDS TEAM… Alexander Stevens leads a deep group of receivers with 33 catches for 474 yards and 7 touchdowns this season. Brandyn Tulloch and Bralin Simon each have a pair of touchdowns with Tulloch pulling in 25 passes for 246 yards and Simon grabbing 24 balls for 308 yards. Simon has also added 41 rushing yards on 6 carries. DJ Emsweller and Tre'dious Thomas have also been a part of the air attack with 14 and 13 catches, respectively. Thomas has also registered a 17.3 yard average on kick returns this season with a long of 45 yards. The receivers have had to adjust to three different quarterbacks this season due to injury and have been up to the task each time.
 
READING THE DEFENSE… Redshirt freshman Zach Reader is making the most of his time on the field for Upper Iowa. Reader has completed 61.8% of his passes for 397 yards and 5 touchdowns while only tossing one interception. Reader has also picked up 71 rushing yards on 22 attempts in his time behind center.