Upper Iowa University Athletics

FAYETTE, Iowa - Peacock football (2-3, 1-1 GLVC) found itself in another close finish on Saturday, but this time Upper Iowa came out on top with a 39-37 double-overtime victory over Missouri S&T (1-5, 0-3 GLVC). The Peacocks forced three turnovers and blocked two field goals in the win. 

In the second overtime period, Missouri S&T's Eli Scott threw the ball to wide receiver Tyler Giola for a 20-yard score. The Peacocks stuffed the two-point conversion rush attempt, giving the offense the opportunity to go and win the game.

Quarterback Zamar Wise checked the ball down in the backfield to running back Jayden Gordon, who ran it in 15 yards for the score. Wise found Logan Rosauer in the end zone on a short hitch route, winning the game, 39-37.

Trailing 24-21 with 2:38 left, the Upper Iowa offense went to work. Wise found wide receiver LJ Nyenow Jr. four times on the drive, including a key 4th-and-8 conversion for 19 yards at midfield. Another 25-yard gain brought the ball to the S&T 14-yard line, helping to set up a 27-yard field goal by Nathan Behne. The junior kicker knocked it through with 19 seconds left to send the game to extra time.

Wise scored from a yard out on UIU's first overtime possession, and he started the period with a 19-yard run down the right side. A facemask penalty extended the S&T drive after a failed 4th-and-goal from the two, and AJ Harris ran the ball in for a one-yard score to send the game to a second overtime.

Missouri S&T began the game with a five-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a six-yard touchdown by Giola. After a Peacock three-and-out, the defense provided a spark with the first turnover of the day as Jalen Hodo snatched a tipped pass out of the air and took it to the house for the pick-six. 

With the Peacocks trailing 10-7 in the second quarter, linebacker Evan Dorn forced a fumble, which was recovered in S&T territory. Wise capitalized with an 11-yard scamper to take a 14-10 lead. A 37-yard field goal by Layne Ryals cut the lead to 14-13, but Ryals had a 19-yard kick blocked by Demontay Mack to keep the Peacock lead at one point at the half. 

After the kickoff to start the second half was muffed, Ben Werner kept the Peacocks in the lead by blocking a 41-yard attempt by Ryals. Later in the quarter, Wise found Nyenow Jr. for a 34-yard pass down to the 26-yard line to spark some momentum. Damon Head Jr. capitalized with a two-yard touchdown on third-and-goal to take a 21-13 lead. 

Ryals hit a 35-yarder early in the fourth quarter, cutting the UIU lead to five. After an interception by Dominic Salibi, Wise was strip-sacked, setting the Miners up at the Peacock 17-yard line. 

S&T capitalized with a trick-play touchdown as wide receiver Sam Ryan found tight end Ryan Kenslow in the end zone for the score. The Miners converted the two-point conversion for the 24-21 lead with 8:03 left. 

Wise finished the game 18-for-26 with 193 yards and a touchdown. He added 39 rushing yards with two touchdowns despite being sacked five times. Gordon was the team's leading rusher with 43 yards and had four catches for 44 yards and a score.

Nyenow Jr. totaled five catches for 88 yards, marking his second-most receiving yards of the season. Five other Peacocks had catches, with Merv Amazon posting the longest with a 17-yard grab. 

Dorn totaled a career-high 22 tackles with four solo and a forced fumble. He surpassed his 18 tackles last season against McKendree (Ill.). It's the first 20-tackle game for the Peacocks since Alex Wahl in 2014 and the most tackles for a UIU defender since at least 2011. 

Michael Mulherin added 13 tackles with two solo tackles, and Braylon Kammrad had 10 tackles. Hodo totaled eight tackles with the pick-six. Salibi recorded four solo tackles, a team-high four pass breakups and an interception. 

Missouri S&T outgained UIU 428-280, which was the Peacocks' largest deficit in the category this season. UIU overcame 14 penalties for 90 yards while the Miners had seven penalties for 51 yards. The Peacocks had 14 points off of turnovers while the Miners had eight. 

Gioia had an all-around day for Missouri S&T with 2 completions for 60 yards, 12 rushing yards with a score, and five catches for 38 yards and a touchdown. Scott was 19-of-41 with 157 passing yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. AJ Harris led the team on the ground with 25 attempts for 144 yards and a score. 

This game marked UIU's first overtime win since 2024 against William Jewell (Mo.). This was the second overtime game for the Peacocks this season. 

UIU saddles up for homecoming against Truman State (Mo.) (2-3, 2-0 GLVC) on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Harms-Eischeid Stadium. The Bulldogs will return to play after a bye to face the Peacocks at 1 p.m.