Upper Iowa football suffered a heart-wrenching 34-31 loss to Michigan Tech after surrendering the lead late in the fourth quarter. The Peacocks led 24-0 halfway through the second period, but ended up being outscored by the visitors 34-7 in the remainder of the game. UIU dropped to 2-2 on the season while MTU improved to 3-0.
 
The Peacocks scored their first touchdown within the initial five minutes of the game on a pass from Marcus Orr to Monte Morrow in the endzone, jumping out to an early 7-0 lead after the extra point. Thomas Forte kicked a 44-yard field goal on Upper Iowa's next possession for the 10-0 advantage going into the second quarter. 
 
The next two touchdowns belonged to UIU after a reception in Husky proximity from Eddie Burgess and an eight-yard run up the middle from RJ Wells on the home team's next possession. 
 
Michigan Tech began to turn a corner shortly after when Michael Bates Jr. intercepted a pass from Orr and ran it all the way back into Peacock territory for their first score of the afternoon. 
 
On the last play right before the first half concluded, Orr rushed the ball 17 yards and came up just short of a touchdown at the MTU one-yard line. 
 
The Huskies opened scoring in the third quarter with a touchdown on a five-yard run from William Marano. The Peacocks recorded their last touchdown of the game ten minutes later on a one-yard push into the endzone from Orr. 
 
In the fourth period, the Huskies kicked a 49-yard field goal and collected two more touchdowns to tie the game up at 31 apiece. The Peacocks attempted a 44-yard field goal with just over two minutes, but it was blocked by Michigan Tech as they regained possession. MTU inched their way toward the Peacock endzone and were able to convert a field goal with 36 seconds left for the 34-31 lead. Upper Iowa threw an interception two plays later, sealing their defeat at Harms-Eischeid. 
 
The Peacocks relied heavily on the passing game as Orr completed 26 of 31 attempts for a total of 328 yards, his longest toss being 58-yards. Morrow grabbed 11 receptions for 141 yards while Burgess nabbed four receptions and collected 111 yards. Wells led the ground game for UIU as he rushed 50 yards on 12 attempts.
 
The Peacock defense picked up three interceptions as Tyler Owen grabbed two of them and Zaracius Murray had the other. Eder Bellegarde led the team with seven tackles, while Trevor Thompson recorded six. 
 
Upper Iowa opens conference play next weekend on the road at William Jewell. The game is scheduled for Saturday, Sep. 30 at 4 p.m.