University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Missouri State
Panthers Bully Bears, Even Season Mark to 4-4
10/30/2004 8:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 30, 2004
Cedar Falls, IA- For the second straight week the Panther offense tallied 500 yards, and for the second straight week the University of Northern Iowa football team dealt a crushing defeat to a Gateway Football Conference foe. UNI dominated Southwest Missouri State on all fronts for a decisive 42-20 victory.
The Panthers came out of the gates a bit flat, going three and out on their opening possession and surrendering a 44 yard field goal to the Bears, putting the score at 3-0 early in the first quarter.
The UNI offense came to life halfway through the first quarter with an impressive 95 yard march to pay dirt. Tailback Terrance Freeney capped off the drive with a 19 yard touchdown run. Brian Wingert's extra point put the score at 7-3. Quarterback Eric Sanders was a perfect 4-4 for 56 yards on the drive.
Both offenses stalled until wide receiver Justin Surrency kick-started the Panther squad, leading UNI to its second 90 plus yard drive of the day. The junior hauled in three catches for 75 yards, including a diving 40 yard TD reception. Wingert's kick put the score at 14-3 with just under five minutes remaining in the first half.
The defense stuffed the Bears and forced a punt, turning possession back over to the Panther offense. The squad drove 64 yards to the end-zone and scored on a 14 yard connection between Sanders and Surrency, both players' second score of the day.
With the score at 21-3 and the clock at 0:42, SMS attempted a screen, but had it picked off by Kevin Stensrud. The junior lumbered seven yards, scoring UNI's fourth touchdown of the game and cutting off any momentum the Bears hoped to establish.
SMS drove to the UNI 32 yard line and kicked a 49 yard field goal as time expired to put the score at 28-6 at the end of the half.
The Panthers stuffed SMS on its opening drive, and regained possession on their own two yard line with 12:40 remaining in the third. UNI marched for its longest scoring drive of the game and capped off the 11 play 98 yard drive with a one yard touchdown from Freeney, putting the score at 35-6.
The third quarter ended with the Panthers firmly in control of the game, but SMS would not be denied as the fourth quarter opened. The Bears scored less than a minute into the fourth frame, putting the score at 35-13.
UNI answered with a clock burning, 80 yard drive, capped off by a 16 yard TD run by Richard Carter. The Panthers held the ball for over six minutes on the legs of Carter and Freeney.
SMS scored quickly with a 51 yard TD pass that put the score at 42-20. The Panthers crushed any hopes of a comeback, however, holding the ball for the remainder of the game, and earning the 42-20 victory.
"It was a great win," said head coach Mark Farley. "We've got momentum, and that was a performance where we just got better and better."
Sanders turned in another impressive performance, completing 14 of 17 for 232 yards and a pair of scores along with an interception. "We have a lot of confidence in Eric," Farley continued, "His poise is remarkable." Sanders' favorite target on the day was Surrency, grabbing 10 catches for 170 yards and two TD's.
Freeney led the rushing attack, gaining 170 yards on 35 carries and scoring twice. Carter rushed for 53 yards on 7 and scored a TD. The senior also returned two kickoffs for 35 yards.
Defensively, the Panthers surrendered 244 yards of total offense. Ryan Arnold led the defense with six solo tackles including one tackle for loss. Stensrud didn't record a tackle, but his interception return for a touchdown broke the Bears' back and put the game away.
The Panthers continue their season with a matchup with Indiana State in Terre Haute, IN. Kickoff is at 12:30 pm.
