University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Northern Arizona
Defense Leads Panthers to 41-17 Victory Over Northern Arizona
11/19/2005 7:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 19, 2005
DEFENSE LEADS PANTHERS TO 41-17 VICTORY OVER NORTHERN ARIZONA
Cedar Falls, IA--Senior John Hermann and a fierce defensive effort propelled the University of Northern Iowa football team to a 41-17 Senior Night victory over Northern Arizona. Hermann led the team with eight tackles, including a school record 5.5 tackles for a loss and a record-tying four sacks.
Five turnovers, including three by the Panthers, in the first five minutes highlighted the opening quarter. UNI's first turnover, a fumble by quarterback Eric Sanders, led to an NAU field goal and a 3-0 Lumberjack advantage.
The Panther defense recovered an NAU fumble inside the Lumberjack five and punched it in with a one-yard rush by senior David Horne. Brian Wingert's kick brought the score to 7-3.
Terrance Freeney highlighted the following UNI drive with four rushes for 32 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown scamper to put the score at 14-3. The Panthers held the 14-3 lead at halftime.
UNI sprinted out of the locker room with a 41-yard touchdown connection between Sanders and senior Justin Surrency to take a 21-3 lead. NAU answered with a 35-yard touchdown strike to cut the Panther advantage to 21-10.
Horne carried the Panthers on the ensuing drive, rushing four times for 51 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown lunge to put the score at 28-10.
Wingert kicked field goals of 20 and 40 yards on the next two UNI drives to put the score to 34-10, but the Lumberjacks returned a Corey Lewis fumble 66 yards to paydirt to put the score at 34-17 as the third quarter came to a close.
Lewis made up for his fumble with a 33-yard touchdown sprint midway through the fourth quarter to put the score at 41-17. The defense held fast and closed the game with the score at 41-17.
The Panther defense was stout, holding the Lumberjacks to negative 44 yards rushing and just 54 total yards of offense. The unit terrorized Lumberjack quarterbacks Jason Murrietta and Brian Wriston, forcing four interceptions and sacking the duo nine times. Tanner Varner piled up six tackles, including three for a loss, and intercepted two passes. Chris Parsons and Dre Dokes added a pick each.
"The defense played tough tonight," head coach John Hermann from coming off the side. We had great pressure on the quarterback tonight."
Lewis carried 19 times for 112 yards and a touchdown to lead the Panther rushing attack. Horne added 80 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, while Freeney finished the night with 69 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
"We don't miss a beat with any of those guys in there," Farley added. "We can put any one of them back there and not miss a step."
Sanders finished the day 5-15 for 98 yards and a 41-yard touchdown to Surrency. Surrency led the receiving corps with 41 yards on the day.
The 8-3 Panthers begin postseason play next Saturday (11-26). Playoff pairings and sites will be announced Sunday, Nov. 20th on ESPNews.
