Upper Iowa's football team took on the No. 25 Vikings of Augustana University on Saturday in Sioux Falls, S.D. Augustana won the game 37-20 fueled by a huge second quarter that saw the home team post two touchdowns and a field goal. The Peacocks had a pair of touchdowns come off the board on Saturday after tough penalties erased big plays for the visitors.
 
Augustana improves to 5-1 on the season, while Upper Iowa falls to 0-6 on the year and 0-2 against the Northern Sun Conference South Division.
 
The Vikings wasted no time getting on the scoreboard on the first play from scrimmage. Kyle Saddler found Sean Engel for a 68-yard score to put the home team ahead 7-0.
 
Upper Iowa answered with a nine-play, 78-yard drive orchestrated by quarterback Zach Reader, who got the start after an injury to Marcus Orr from last Saturday's game. Reader connected on three long pass plays during the drive including a pair to Alexander Stevens, 26 and 18 yards. While scrambling right, Reader found DJ Emsweller in the end zone for a 17-yard score. The Peacocks trailed 7-6 after the extra-point was missed.
 
After forcing a three and out, UIU got the ball back and marched right back down deep into Viking territory. Keontae Luckett picked up big runs of 29 and 11 on the drive to set UIU up at the 12-yard line with a first down. Augie pushed the visitors back with a sack, but UIU bounced back on second and third down to set up a fourth and two from the 4-yard line. The conversion failed, but the UIU defense came on with Augie's back against the wall.
 
The first of two touchdowns erased by penalty came on second and 11 from the 3-yard line. Saddler passed the ball to his left but overthrew his target; Zacarius Murray picked off the throw and raced into the end zone for what seemed like a go-ahead score. Unfortunately, pass interference was ruled and the points came off the scoreboard.
 
The home team opened the second quarter with a 44-yard field goal and a second one-play drive for a touchdown. Saddler hit Devon Jones for a 54-yard score to put Augie ahead 17-6. The Vikings were looking for another three points on their next drive, but Kyle Domin recorded UIU's fourth blocked kick of the season and Joey Rattin scooped the ball up and returned it near midfield to set up the UIU offense.
 
Upper Iowa gained a first down and then Reader found Lane Canny on a seam route for what appeared to be a 36-yard touchdown pass and catch to pull UIU within one score. However, it was ruled that the tight end was covered up at the snap and not allowed to go downfield, which brought a UIU score off the board for the second time on Saturday. The drive stalled and UIU was forced to punt, but pinned Augustana at their own 10-yard line.
 
The home team put together an eight-play, 90-yard scoring drive that was highlighted by a 49-yard pass from Saddler on third and eight and a 9-yard touchdown throw with three seconds on the clock on third and eight. The two third-down conversions gave Augustana a 24-6 lead at halftime.
 
Upper Iowa opened the second half with their longest play of the season. Reader rolled to his left and Emsweller used an out and up route along the sideline to lose his defender. UIU's quarterback hit Emsweller in stride at the 42-yard line and Emsweller raced the final 58 yards to the end zone. Fabien Guillen added the point after to bring UIU within 11 points, 24-13.
 
Augie answered with a touchdown on their ensuing possession to push their advantage back to three scores, 31-13.
 
During the fourth quarter, the Peacocks scored their third touchdown in between a pair of Viking field goals. The score capped off a 12-play, 75-yard drive that included a 38-yard connection between Reader and Ryan Pritchard and a 24-yard touchdown hook up between Reader and Stevens.
 
Reader completed 25 of his 47 attempts on the day for 338 yards and three touchdowns; he was sacked five times and threw one interception. Reader connected with Stevens 11 times for 149 yards and a score and Emsweller three times for 94 yards and two touchdowns. The pair of scores for Emsweller marks the third straight game in which the senior has hauled in a pair of touchdowns. Xavier Saldana caught four balls for 24 yards.
 
Luckett ran for 40 yards on nine carries, while Willy Camacho picked up 28 yards on 10 rushes.
 
Defensively, DJ Green Jr. made 9 tackles, while Brody Bazile notched 7 solo stops and Joey Rattin added 6 tackles including one for loss.
 
Upper Iowa returns home for Hall of Fame Weekend next Saturday, Oct. 16. The Peacocks will host the Mavericks of Minnesota State University, Mankato at Harms-Eischeid Stadium in Fayette. Kick off is slated for 12 p.m. next Saturday.