Fueled by a 22-carry, 169-yard performance on the ground by
Jayden Mitchell, Upper Iowa (3-2, 2-0 GLVC) orchestrated their second GLVC triumph as they trumped Quincy (2-1, 2-1 GLVC) 29-27 in a come-from-behind attack in the fourth quarter.
The Peacocks trailed the Hawks 20-7 with just 15 minutes left to play. In UIU's fourth-quarter surge, they mustered 22 points behind three touchdowns to pull ahead by a score of 29-20 with 1:53 remaining. Quincy retaliated with one final touchdown with less than a minute to go, but after their onside kick attempt was unsuccessful, UIU ran out the clock and relished in their two-point victory and second conference win of the season.
Mitchell not only tallied his second consecutive game with over 100 yards rushing but recorded three of the team's four touchdowns.
The Upper Iowa defense made big plays down the stretch, starting with the first QU possession of the contest as
Avery Dixon nabbed an interception in the endzone.
Quincy made their way onto the scoreboard in the second quarter after a pick-six for 69 yards. Despite the scoring setback, UIU's defense held strong as Eddy Latanaskaus stepped up to reject the extra-point attempt.
The Peacocks took the lead shortly after as they scored on a 16-yard run by Mitchell on the very next possession. The extra-point conversion gave them a 7-6 advantage.
The Hawks' defense complemented their offense as they capitalized on their 20-point effort in the second quarter behind a forced Peacock fumble at the 1-yard line with less than five remaining in the first half. The play was challenged and reviewed, but the play on the field stood.
Upper Iowa's defensive lineman
Rhett Smith ran the ball for 28 yards on a fake punt in the third quarter, but the team could not convert further down the road, as both the Peacocks and Hawks were scoreless in the that period.
Koda Gates-Bridges started the scoring spree in the fourth as his 11-yard rush, and
Henry Vakerics' extra point pulled the Peacocks within six (20-14) with 14:38 remaining.
Mitchell raked in his next touchdown with 6:42 left to play, followed by his last of the game at 1:53. His rush for the two-point conversion put the Peacocks up 29-20, giving them a cushion to hold off Quincy despite their last effort with a 4-yard run for a touchdown to pull within two (29-27).
Trevor Thompson paced the team with double-digit tackles as he recorded 11, followed by
Xhavion Reese with six.
Gates-Bridges tallied 12 receptions for 55 yards, while
Cam Williams snagged a game-high 74-yard toss.
Quarterback
Darryl Overstreet Jr. went 21-36 for a total of 276 yards.
Upper Iowa returns to Harms-Eischeid Stadium next Saturday, taking on Truman State at 6 p.m. in Fayette.
Coaches Corner
"Everyone is asking, 'What was the difference?' and 'What got the guys going?' It wasn't some moment. The guys are just learning how to keep playing the next play. We don't focus on what happened or where we are in the game. Go out and execute your job on the next play. The team is bought in, and I'm proud of them for that."
-Head Coach
Jason Hoskins
