Upper Iowa's football team reached got inside the Minot State University 20-yard line five times on Saturday afternoon, but couldn't take advantage of the red-zone opportunities and lost 17-14. Minot State moves to 1-7 on the season, while UIU drops to 0-8 after the loss.
 
The Peacocks scored on their second possession of the game and their first possession of the second half, but couldn't capitalize in the red-zone on three other occasions. The three potential scoring drives ended at the 18-yard line on downs, at the 20-yard line on a missed field goal and at the 1-yard line when a pass attempt was intercepted.
 
In contrast, the Beavers reached the red-zone four times in the game scoring two touchdowns, converting a field goal and running out the clock at the end of the game.
 
UIU's defense came up with three takeaways with a pair of fumbles recovered by Kyle Domin and DJ Green Jr. and an interception by Green as well. The Peacocks ended the game up one in the turnover margin after two interceptions by the Beavers on UIU's final two possessions of the fourth quarter. Green had five tackles to go with his two takeaways, while Joey Rattin led the group with eight tackles and Charlie Caruso added seven. Laith Smith made a big impact from the defensive line with six tackles including three for loss with two sacks.
 
The first fumble recovered by UIU ended Minot State's first possession and gave the offense the ball at the MiSU 37-yard line. Zach Reader hit Isaiah Gray on third down for 22 yards and three plays later Reader ran up the middle and across the goal line for a 10-yard touchdown. The point after from Fabien Guillen put UIU in front 7-0.
 
Two possessions later, Green intercepted a deep pass at the UIU 10-yard line and returned it 27 yards to put the Peacocks right back on the offensive. Upper Iowa used 11 plays to move the ball 46 yards to the Minot State 18-yard line, but failed to convert on fourth and three. MiSU took the momentum of the defensive stop and marched down the field in 10 plays for a tying touchdown midway through the second quarter.
 
Upper Iowa's third takeaway in the first half came on the Beavers' next possession. When Green forced and recovered a fumble at the Minot State 41-yard line. The Peacock offense couldn't do anything with the bonus possession though gaining four yards and punting back to the home team.
 
The Beavers started the ensuing drive from their own 7-yard line. Minot State used four minutes of clock and 11-plays to go 93 yards for a touchdown with 18 seconds to play in the frame. The long drive was fueled by a 38-yard run by Ali Mohamed, who capped the drive as well with a touchdown run from one-yard away.
 
The Peacocks came out of the locker room fired up getting a quick stop on defense and forcing a punt after a three and out. Upper Iowa then covered 52 yards in eight plays to tie the game at 14-14. Keontae Luckett got the drive going with 29 yards on five carries and Willy Camacho finished the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run to the pylon. The score was Camacho's first rushing touchdown on his young career.
 
Minot State answered with a 23-yard field goal on their next possession to go ahead 17-14. UIU halted a long drive from the home team at the 6-yard line thanks to tougher defense inside the 10-yard line.
 
On the final play of the third quarter, it looked as if the Peacock defense had come up big and forced a fourth and 16 for the MiSU offense. The Beaver punt team took the field, but a fake resulted in a long run by Kyle VanBerkom for 25 yards and a first down. Minot State eventually did punt, but the Beavers were able to switch field position and run more time off the clock.
 
Upper Iowa had the ball in their hands for two possessions in the fourth quarter, but both ended in interceptions. The Peacocks looked like they were poised to take the lead with just over five minutes to play, but tragedy struck. UIU covered 91 yards in 12 plays highlighted by a pair of pass interference calls and a 19-yard run by Camacho on third and 11. The ball was set up at the four-yard line after the big conversion. After another three-yard dive by Camacho, the Peacocks had the ball at the one. A second down run by Luckett didn't produce and Reader threw an interception on third down looking for Lane Canny over the middle.
 
UIU's defense held up and gave the offense one more possession to win or tie. After a punt, Upper Iowa took over at their own 14-yard line. The Peacocks got a good start to the drive with a 10-yard completion to Camacho and a 10-yard completion to Cole Ewald, but the drive stalled and after a pair of incomplete passes, Reader threw an interception ending UIU's rally.
 
As a team, Upper Iowa ran for 181 yards and two scores on 39 carries. Camacho ran for 89 yards and a score on 16 rushes, while Luckett picked up 72 yards on 19 attempts and Reader added 21 yards and a score on three carries.
 
The Peacocks were without some big pieces of their receiving corps on Saturday. Reader completed 12 of his 26 attempts for 105 yards. Ewald pulled in four catches for 40 yards, while Camacho added four catches for 19 yards.
 
Upper Iowa will host their final home game of the 2021 season on Saturday, Oct. 30. The Peacocks welcome the Wildcats of Wayne State College to Harms-Eischeid Stadium for a 12 p.m. kick. UIU will celebrate with Youth Day and recognize their seniors prior to the game.