University of Northern Iowa
Northern Arizona
Panthers Defeat Northern Arizona, 45-21
11/21/2004 7:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 20, 2004
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - Andy Thorn made seven catches for 75 yards and three touchdowns for Northern Iowa's 45-21 victory over Northern Arizona Saturday in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Although trailing 21-17 early in the fourth quarter, Northern Iowa scored 28 unanswered points.
The 25th-ranked Panthers (7-4) find out Sunday if they earned an at-large bid to the 16-team Division I-AA playoff field.
The Lumberjacks, who went to the I-AA quarterfinals last year, finished 4-7.
Northern Iowa took a 3-0 lead on Brian Wingert's 44-yard field goal with 7:27 left in the first quarter.
Justin Heins' interception at midfield, which was returned to the Northern Arizona 38, set up a scoring drive the second quarter.
A 13-yard TD reception by Thorn pushed the lead to 17-7 at the 8:08 mark of the third.
Josh Hamlin's 3-yard TD catch brought Northern Arizona to within 17-14 with 5:43 remaining in the third quarter.
The Lumberjacks took a 24-21 lead on Vince Henman's 1-yard TD run with 10:06 to play in the fourth quarter.
Then the Panthers tacked on four more touchdowns.
Northern Arizona's Jason Murrietta completed 41 of 67 passes, a school-record for attempts, for 372 yards and two touchdowns.
