GAME TEN || SATURDAY, NOV. 9, 2019 || 1 PM
WAYNE, NEB. || MEMORIAL STADIUM
UIU PEACOCKS AT WSC WILDCATS

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THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK FOOTBALL... Upper Iowa heads to Nebraska on Saturday to face the Wildcats of Wayne State College for their final road game of the season. The Peacocks dropped a 47-10 decision at home last weekend to the University of Sioux Falls, who is receiving votes in the AFCA Top 25. Upper Iowa has won two of their last three games thanks to wins over the University of Minnesota Crookston (45-24) and the University of Minnesota Duluth (23-13). The Wildcats come into the game with a 3-6 record after losing 62-7 to No. 3 Minnesota State University, Mankato. UIU will close their season next weekend at home against Minnesota State. The game will be aired on AM 950 KOEL with Joe Stasi and Warren Reyerson. 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 Peacocks and Wildcats have locked up in thirteen battles on the gridiron with WSC holding a slight 7-6 edge in the series history. Wayne State has won the last two meetings to snap a four-game win streak by Upper Iowa. Last season, the Peacocks raced out to an early 21-0 lead on Senior Day in Fayette after three rushing touchdowns and a pair of interceptions in the first 16 minutes of the game. Upper Iowa looked to be in control of the Wildcats. Unfortunately, Wayne State didn't see it that way and scored six touchdowns including a pair of special teams touchdowns to take a three-score lead. WSC held off a fourth quarter charge by the home team to come away with a 42-35 win. In 2017, Wayne State scored a 28-10 victory after forcing eight Pea­cock turnovers. UIU's win streak lasted from 2013 through 2016. Three seasons ago in Fayette, Upper Iowa pushed out to multiple two-score leads, but had to hold on late for a 35-30 win. UIU scored a come-from-behind, over­time victory in Wayne, Neb. in 2015. Big quarters have been the formula for UIU in the series. In 2014, the Peacocks scored 29 in the second frame on the way to a 58-29 win, and in 2015 in Wayne, the Peacocks used 17 points in the fourth quar­ter to rally and tie the Wildcats and added 10 more in a pair of overtime periods to win 34-31 when Brady Beuschel knocked in a game-winner from 34 yards. The two teams began playing each other in 2006. UIU won the first meeting, 24-14, to claim their first-ever NCAA Division II and NSIC victory.
 
NO FLY ZONE… The Peacocks have been tough on opposing passing games this season posting the fifth-best passing yards allowed average, 179.2, per game. While UIU has been good against the air attack, teams have been able to move the ball on the ground. Upper Iowa is giving up 194.3 yards per game to opponent's rushers, which ranks 12th in the Northern Sun. Wayne State is ranked 12th in passing yards allowed per game at 229.1 and 11th in rushing yards allowed per game at 153.3.
 
PRESSURE UP FRONT... Erik Hansen, Laith Smith, Christian Ruff and Austin Buck have led the defensive from their three-point stances this season. Upper Iowa has been able to generate pressure and havoc in opponent's backfields without blitzes behind the efforts of the defensive line. Hansen has collected 41 tackles this season including 16.5 for loss (10th NCAA/2nd NSIC) and 11.5 sacks (2nd NCAA/1st NSIC), while Smith returned from injury and has 23 tackles with 9 for loss and 2 sacks. Ruff has tallied 22 tackles with 5.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks, while Buck has added 20 stops with 1.5 for loss and half a sack. As a team, the Peacocks have recorded 75 tackles for loss and 25 sacks.
 
LAST LINE OF DEFENSE... Four defensive backs make up the majority of the top-five tacklers for Upper Iowa. Michael Sparkman took over the team-lead in stops with 46. Isaac Barrett, who only played the first six games due to injury, was on pace for a big season with 44 tackles in the opening half of the season.  Terrell Powell has registered 35 tackles, while Daniel Ruffin Jr. has accounted for 30 tackles and 4 interceptions (28th NCAA/2nd NSIC).
 
PEACOCK GROUND GAME… Matt McDonald and LeVon Bellemy have been working well together in the Peacock backfield. Combined the pair have run for 855 yards and 7 touchdowns averaging nearly 110  yards per game. Bellemy, a freshman, has used his power running attack to average 3.7 yards per attempt, while the senior McDonald has flashed his speed to average 4.2 yards per carry. Jon Deprey has added 109 yards this season and scored a touchdown against Sioux Fals last Saturday. 
 
THROW IT OVER HERE… Alexander Stevens leads a deep group of receivers with 37 catches for 566 yards and 7 touchdowns this season. Brandyn Tulloch and Bralin Simon each have a pair of touchdowns with Tulloch pulling in 25 passes for 245 yards and Simon grabbing 30 catches for 378 yards. Simon has also added 39 rushing yards on 7 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 16.2 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.
 
YOUNG ARMS... A pair of freshman are learning the quarterback position on the fly this season after injuries forced both onto the field. Myles Herrera and Zach Reader (Redshirt) are making the most of their time in the huddle and growing right before Peacocks fans' eyes. Reader has a slight advantage in passing yards over Herrera 619 to 604 and touchdown passes 6 to 5, but Herrera has been more accurate to the tune of a 58.2 completion percentage compared to Reader's 50.5. Herrera also has a slight 81 to 72 advantage in rushing yards.