Peacock football put together an unwavering resilience in combination with 21 points in the fourth quarter to overtake the Bearcats in a 28-24 decision. Upper Iowa remains undefeated in conference play on the road (4-0) and improved its GLVC mark to 5-2 and overall record to 6-4. 
 
After today's win, this will mark Upper Iowa's first winning season since 2017 when they went 6-5 in the NSIC. 
 
"This team is figuring out how to win," said Head Coach Jason Hoskins. "Winning is a learned trait, just like any other skill we teach them. We were down ten points with 12 minutes to play against a good football team, and we just didn't waver. We just kept playing our style of football and made the necessary plays. I'm proud of them for that."
 
The Peacocks found themselves down 14-7 heading into the final frame against the Bearcats,but were able to string together three touchdowns in the final 15 minutes to spoil the home team's senior day. Upper Iowa needed a clutch play at the end of the contest as they trailed by three (24-21) with just under two minutes remaining. A 16-yard toss from Darryl Overstreet to Willy Camacho set the team up at the MCK 2-yard line. A short quarterback scramble to the right gave the Peacocks the 28-24 lead with 20 seconds on the clock, sealing its fifth conference win. 
 
The game was a defensive battle until the Bearcats made their way onto the scoreboard with a 24-yard pitch with 4:51 left until quarter two concluded.
 
The Peacocks tied up the game halfway through the third quarter on a short pass from Overstreet to Mante Morrow. McKendree would then convert a touchdown to end the third and they would open the fourth period with a field goal to lead 17-7. Upper Iowa followed up by scoring on a 22-yard toss to Jayden Mitchell, bringing them within three, trailing 17-14. 
 
A momentum-changing interception from Trevor Thompson on the next Bearcat possession gave UIU the ball back and they capitalized on the opportunity. Their next score was on a seven-yard pass to tight end Eddie Burgess for the 21-17 lead. 
 
McKendree refused to back down as they responded four minutes later with a touchdown to lead 28-24 with just under two minutes left to play. The Peacocks were able to come out on top with quick precision and notch the final score of the contest with 20 seconds left, giving the Bearcats no time to come back.
 
Overstreet completed 24-33 passes for a total of 231 yards. Eddie Burgess and Koda Gates-Bridges each recorded five receptions for over 50 yards. Jayden Mitchell rushed for a team-high 69 yards on 13 carries, followed by RJ Wells with 32 yards. 
 
Michael Mulherin led the defense with nine tackles, followed by Ben Kamara with eight and Thompson with seven. 
 
"We didn't have the best week of practice coming off the bye week, but our kids and coaches love each other enough to show up for each other when needed," noted Hoskins. "This is a special group."
 
Upper Iowa has its last game of the regular season next Saturday against Missouri S&T at 12 p.m. for senior day.