Upper Iowa's football team lost a 24-6 Northern Sun Conference cross-division game to Concordia University, St. Paul at Sea Foam Stadium on Saturday. The Golden Bears forced three Peacock turnovers including two interceptions and outgained UIU 335 to 257 in total offensive yards.

After a scoreless first quarter, Concordia-St. Paul got on the scoreboard early in the second period on the team's first interception which was returned to the Upper Iowa 10-yard line. The home team needed just three plays to cover the 10 yards and score the first touchdown of the game. 

The Golden Bears added a second touchdown prior to half thanks to a five-play, 82-yard drive that was highlighted by a 35-yard pass to Mason Van Zeeland. CSP took their 14-0 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

The only score of the third quarter came on a 38-yard field goal by Sam Henson.

Following the field goal, the Peacocks looked to be gaining momentum with a drive back into Concordia-St. Paul territory. UIU opened the drive with a 27-yard hookup between TJ Smith and Alexander Stevens. Two plays later, Smith scrambled out of the pocket and reached the Golden Bear 26-yard line, but lost the ball as he was being tackled to end the Peacock threat. 

The Peacocks got back deep into Golden Bear territory to open the fourth quarter under backup quarterback Marcus Orr, but down 17-0, the Peacocks turned the ball over on downs after failing on a fourth down attempt. 

Concordia-St. Paul scored their final touchdown on the ensuing possession on the back of a nine-play, 73-yard drive that was capped off by a Conner Cordts 33-yard pass to Jaheim Arnold.

Upper Iowa scored their lone touchdown with just under three minutes to play in the game. Orr went 5 for 8 throwing the ball on the scoring drive and capped off the possession with an 11-yard strike to Xavier Saldana into the end zone. UIU went for two after the score, but the pass was incomplete.

Smith and Orr both completed 8 passes in 17 attempts tallying 96 and 83 passing yards, respectively. Stevens caught four passes for 59 yards, while DJ Emsweller caught four passes for 44 yards. Willy Camacho rushed for 43 yards on 13 carries and caught three passes for 28 yards.

Brody Bazile led the Peacock defense with seven tackles including a pair for loss, while fellow linebacker Spencer Wegmann tallied six tackles with one for loss. Four Peacocks tallied five tackles, while Erik Hansen made four stops including a pair of sacks and three and a half tackles for loss. 

Upper Iowa will return to Harms-Eischeid Stadium next Saturday night, Sept. 18. The Peacocks will line up against the Wolves of Northern State University for the MIlitary Appreciation Game at 6 p.m.a