Upper Iowa University Athletics

Upper Iowa posted another two-point victory, 41-39, at Quincy University in triple overtime after rallying from a 24-7 deficit heading into the fourth quarter on Saturday. The win marks UIU's sixth win of the season and securing the program's third-straight winning season after the win over the Hawks. Upper Iowa is now 6-4 on the year and 4-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
 
In eight of Upper Iowa's ten games, the Peacocks and their opponents have only been separated by three points or less. UIU is now 4-4 in these tight ball games and 2-1 in overtime affairs.
 
The Hawks got on the scoreboard first with a field goal to open the game's scoring, but Upper Iowa was able to answer with a touchdown in the final minutes of the first quarter. Quincy took over the in the second quarter and took a 17-7 lead into the halftime thanks to a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter.
 
The Peacock scoring drive in the first quarter covered 60 yards in 5 plays and was highlighted by back-to-back completions from Zamar Wise to Logan Rosauer for 24 yards and to Camden Hungerholt for 12 with a personal foul tacked onto the end of the play. Wise capped off the drive with a touchdown pass to Jayden Gordon from 7 yards out giving the Peacocks a 7-3 lead after Nathan Behne split the uprights.
 
The Hawks took their 10-point lead into the locker room at halftime thanks to a 162-140 advantage in total yards and the timely fumble recovery they turned a mishandled punt by the Peacocks into a touchdown just two plays later. The Peacock rushing attack, which was limited by injuries over the last few weeks, tallied 51 yards on 14 carries. 
 
Quincy added a third touchdown midway through the third quarter to push their advantage to 24-7 with just under five minutes to play in the frame.
 
Upper Iowa's offense began to find their rhythm in the final minutes of the third quarter as they finished off an 8-play, 93-yard drive that was capped off by a 2-yard run by Jayden Gordon into the endzone. The drive was highlighted by a 21-yard pass connection between Wise and LJ Nyenow Jr., 33 rushing yards from Wise, and a 13-yard run by Gordon.
 
After the UIU defense forced a punt, the Peacocks were able to pull within one score thanks to a 21-yard field goal off the foot of Behne with just under six minutes to play in the game.
 
The Peacock defense made a stand once again and forced a Hawk punt after a quick three-and-out. After the punt, the Peacocks took over at their own 45-yard line with 4:05 on the clock. Master Brooks jumped on a Peacock fumble on their first play to avoid disaster. UIU began to move the ball into Hawk territory thanks to four completions by Wise including a big one to Rosauer on fourth down to keep the drive alive. A pass interference call set the Peacocks up with a first and goal at the 5-yard line. Two plays later August Stock pushed into the endzone and Behne knocked in the extra point to tie the game at 24-24.
 
Both teams got their hands on the ball in the final 90 seconds of regulation, but neither added to their scores and the game moved to overtime.
 
After Quincy scored on their first play in the extra period, Upper Iowa answered with a touchdown of their own when Wise found Rosauer on a 10-yard completion to the endzone. UIU lined up to go for two points and the win, but a holding penalty backed UIU up and the team settled for an extra point from Behne to tie the game again at 31-31.
 
The Peacocks took the ball first in the second overtime and Wise hit Saxson Va'a for a 25-yard score on the first play. UIU wasted no time in going for two points and Wise found Hungerholt on the attempt to take a 39-31 lead. Quincy took seven plays, but found their was into the endzone and added a two-point conversion of their own to knot the score at 39-39.
 
In the third overtime, the Hawks took the ball first, but failed to convert their two-point conversion setting up the Peacocks to score on their attempt and claim the victory. Va'a raced behind the offensive line, grabbed the ball from Wise and then beat the Hawks to the pylon to score the winning two points for Upper Iowa.
 
In the end, Upper Iowa notched 25 first downs, while holding Quincy to 16. After just 51 rushing yards in the first half, the Peacocks finished the game with 205 rushing yards and a 458-333 advantage in total offense.
 
Wise threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns in the game, while picking up 133 rushing yards as well. UIU's quarterback accounted for 380 yards between his legs and right arm. Gordon added 69 yards rushing and a score while also pulling in 4 passes and a touchdown. Rosauer led the receivers with 10 catches for 142 yards and a score. Braylon Kammrad paced the defense with 12 tackles including 5 solo stops, while Michael Mulherin and Yashua Pettis-Taylor each recorded 8 tackles apiece. Behne was 4-4 on extra points, 1-2 on field goal attempts, and recorded 7 punts with a 40.4-yard average.
 
The Peacocks will host the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds next Saturday, Nov. 14 at 12 p.m. on Harms Family Field in Harms-Eischeid Stadium. Upper Iowa will honor their seniors prior to the game, while celebrating Military Appreciation Day as well. In appreciation of their service and sacrifice, all active-duty military members and veterans will receive complimentary admission to next Saturday's game in Fayette.