Upper Iowa University Athletics

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Peacock football (1-3, 0-1 GLVC) suffered its third consecutive loss by two points or less to Lincoln (Mo.) (2-2, 1-1 GLVC). The Blue Tigers outscored Upper Iowa to gain a 34-19 advantage heading into the fourth. 

UIU used a 12-play, 75-yard drive capped off by an eight-yard touchdown rush by quarterback Zamar Wise, cutting the lead to eight points. After an interception by Aaron King, Wise hit two passes and then ran up the middle for a seven-yard touchdown, cutting the lead to two. 

On the two-point conversion, Wise's shovel pass to Ronald Wilson Jr. came up just short of the goal line, leaving the Lincoln lead at 34-32. UIU's defense forced a stop on the next drive, giving the Peacock offense an opportunity to take the lead. 

After UIU drove to the Lincoln 44-yard line, Wise was sacked by Lincoln's Marion Slater for a 13-yard loss. The Peacocks punted with 2:01 left on the clock. LU gave the ball back to UIU with eight seconds left, but the Peacocks couldn't get the final lateral play to go.

UIU scored the first touchdown of the game after a flea-flicker 40-yard pass to Camden Hungerholt set up a one-yard touchdown by Damon Head Jr. After a missed extra point, Lincoln responded right away with a 22-yard touchdown pass by Antwon McKay Jr. to Ron Lunz. 

In the second quarter, the Peacocks rushed for 45 of their 60 yards on an eight-play drive for a touchdown by Head Jr. from five yards out. A 69-yard touchdown reception by Lincoln's Khylin Arnett tied the game at 13-13 after a missed extra point by the Blue Tigers

Nathan Behne made a 41-yard field goal before McKay Jr. found Lunz for his second touchdown catch, this time from 39 yards out. Behne made a 39-yard field goal before the end of the half to trail, 20-19. 

In the third quarter, the Peacocks had a punt blocked, setting the Blue Tigers up at the UIU two-yard line. Kantrell Jordan scored from a yard out to extend the lead to 27-19. After a fumble by Wise on the next drive, Lincoln capitalized with a 45-yard touchdown pass to Arnett.

Wise was 20-of-28 (71.4%) passing and had a season-high 246 yards through the air. This was also his highest completion percentage of the season. The senior had 15 rushes for 55 yards and two touchdowns despite being sacked five times.

Hungerholt had a career-high five receptions for 107 yards. LJ Nyenow Jr. had three catches for 33 yards. Eight different Peacocks recorded a reception.

The Peacocks were led in rushing by Head Jr., totaling 79 yards and two touchdowns. Wilson Jr. added 12 carries for 53 yards. 

Linebacker Michael Mulherin led the Peacock defense with 14 tackles (five solo). Braylon Kammard and Evan Dorn each had seven tackles. Yashua Pettis-Taylor made his season debut with five tackles and a pass breakup. 

McKay Jr. finished 13-of-19 for 249 yards and four touchdowns for the Blue Tigers. He was also Lincoln's rushing leader with 50 yards. Arnett totaled three catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns, while Lunz had six catches for 113 yards and a pair of scores. 

The Peacocks totaled 28 first downs compared to Lincoln's 16. UIU outgained LU 433-357 with a 187-108 rushing advantage. Upper Iowa held the ball for 33:59 compared to 26:01 for Lincoln. 

This marked the first win for Lincoln against Upper Iowa all-time, with UIU now leading 3-1 in the series. This was Lincoln's first conference win since joining the GLVC. 

Upper Iowa has suffered its three losses this season by a combined total of five points. The third quarter has not been kind to the team, as they have been outscored 30-6 this season in the period. UIU now falls to 2-2 in GLVC openers.

The Peacocks finally return to Harms-Eischeid Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 3, against Missouri S&T (1-3, 1-2 GLVC). Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.