THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK FOOTBALL... Upper Iowa hits the road for the final time in 2022 this Saturday with a Northern Sun Conference South Division showdown at Wayne State College. The Peacocks and Wildcats are slated for a 12 p.m. kickoff at Bob Cunningham Field in Wayne, Neb. WSC is celebrating Hall of Fame Day on Saturday as well. Both teams are coming in the match up feeling good after wins last Saturday. UIU defeated Minot State 33-22 for their first win of the season, while Wayne State defeated Southwest Minnesota State University 20-14 to improve to 6-2 on the year.
LIVE OPTIONS... Fans that can't make it to Wayne, Neb. for the game in person have several options to follow along in real time. Live stats and a webcast are available through links at UIUPeacocks.com/Live. In addition, the game can be streamed through most mobile devices at NSICNetwork.com/UIUPeacocks or through the NSIC Network app on Roku and Amazon Fire devices, as well as Apple and Android televisions.
THE SERIES... The Peacocks and Wildcats have locked up in fifteen battles on the gridiron with WSC holding an 8-7 edge in the series history. Wayne State had three straight meetings prior to last year's 42-41 victory at home by Upper Iowa on Senior Day; the three WSC wins came after a four-game win streak for UIU. Three years ago, Wayne State dominated the contest at home posting a 62-0 win. In 2018, 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 team 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. Six 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.
LAST TIME THEY MET... Last season, Kyle Domin blocked an extra point in the first overtime period to secure a 42-41 overtime victory for Upper Iowa on Senior Day in Fayette. The play led to a celebration in Fayette as the Peacocks posted their first victory of the 2021 season. The extra point block accentuated a near-perfect day in Fayette and Harms-Eischeid Stadium. The Wildcats came into the game receiving votes in this week's Top-25 poll, but Upper Iowa won the takeaway battle 4-1, owned time of possession 34:38-25:22, and registered a 4-1 advantage in sacks. Prior to the game, UIU recognized 19 seniors suiting up for the final time at Harms-Eischeid Stadium. Upper Iowa had the ball first in overtime and scored a touchdown when
Marcus Orr found DJ Emsweller from the four-yard line on second and goal. UIU picked up the first 20 yards of the drive on the ground thanks to a
Desean Phillips 11-yard run and a
Marcus Orr 9-yard scramble down the sideline. Wayne State scored a touchdown on their possession in just two plays fueled by an 18-yard run by Trystn Ducker and a Taurean Grady seven-yard touchdown run. WSC lined up for the tying extra point, but the Peacocks, led by Domin, got a huge push up the middle and blocked the kick. The ball eventually made its way to the sideline and Upper Iowa celebrated the win.
REWATCHING THE HIGHLIGHTS... Upper Iowa's football team powered their way to a convincing 33-22 win at home over Minot State University behind a balanced offensive attack and an interception return for a touchdown. The Peacocks scored four touchdowns on offense including two on the ground and two through the air. After allowing a field goal to the Beavers in the first quarter, UIU never trailed following their first touchdown in the second quarter. Freshman
Darryl Overstreet Jr. threw for 185 yards and two scores, while
Eddie Burgess hauled in five passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns. In total, eight Peacocks were involved for the receiving corps. UIU rushed for 121 yards and two scores led by
Desean Phillips' 42 yards.
Aboubacar Barry ran for 37 yards and a score and Overstreet added 34 yards and a score.
Peyton Bieber led the defense with 10 tackles and added a fumble recovery, while
Cejai Parrish and
Collin Jones each recorded seven tackles and
RJ Knaack added six stops.
Baxter Bohr and
Braden Powers notched sacks for UIU, while
Cody Cotton had the play of the game with a 30-yard pick-six. Cotton grabbed his third interception of the year and then raced down the left sideline for a touchdown that put UIU ahead 26-13 in the third quarter. Upper Iowa maintained control of the pace of play forcing six punts by the Beavers. The Peacocks took advantage of the punts as
Cole Ewald logged 49 yards of return on the two punts he could bring back. UIU had their biggest quarter of the season in the second frame. The home team scored three touchdowns to cap drives of 85 yards, 24 yards and 75 yards. The short drive of 24 yards came away Bieber was able to fall on a misplayed snap by the Minot State quarterback. Upper Iowa needed only 18 plays to score 20 points in the second.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS (Courtesy of Wayne State Sports Information)… The Wildcats are 6-2 and 2-2 in the NSIC South Division following last week's 20-14 home win over Southwest Minnesota State. WSC is 4-0 at home and 2-2 in road games this season and is one of 10 teams under consideration in the NCAA Super Region 4 Rankings released Monday. WSC scores 30.6 points per game (4th-NSIC) while allowing 22.6 points per contest (7th-NSIC). The 'Cats rank third in the league in total offense (414.5) and seventh in total defense (335.5). Wayne State averages 192 yards per game rushing (4th-NSIC) and 222.5 yards per game passing (5th-NSIC). On defense, WSC allows 144.1 yards per game rushing (8th-NSIC) and 191.4 yards passing (4th-NSIC). Sophomore quarterback Nick Bohn ranks second in the league in total offense per game (266.8). The Bennington native is third in the league in passing yards per game (204.8), completing 110-178 passes (61.8%) for 1638 yards and 11 TD's. He also has 496 yards rushing (4.1 avg) with six TD's. Senior running back Anthony Watkins ranks 10th in the league in yards per game (68.8) and has 550 yards on 107 carries and six scores. Sophomore Jadon Johnson is the top WSC receiver with 29 receptions for 558 yards (19.2 avg) and four TD's. Senior Mason Lee adds 19 catches for 348 yards and two TD's. Senior placekicker Alex Powders has made the second-most field goals in the NSIC (10) this season and has made eight straight going 10 for 11 this season. He ranks fourth in the league in kicker points per game (7.1) and is 27-28 on PAT kicks. Powders also averages 39.6 yards per punt (6th-NSIC) and has just one touchback. Sophomore linebacker Alex Kowalczyk is tied for the NSIC lead in tackles with 73. He also has two forced fumbles and two interceptions. Fellow sophomore linebacker Dexter Larsen adds 47 stops followed by senior Jaylan Scott with 41 that includes 8.5 tackles for loss for 35 yards, which is tied for seventh in the NSIC.
NEXT UP… Upper Iowa will be at home for their final two games of the 2022 campaign. The Peacocks are hosting Winona State University and the University of Sioux Falls on back-to-back Saturdays, Nov. 5 and 12. Both NSIC South Division battles are set for 12 p.m. kickoffs.
