Panthers Fall to Western Illinois, 24-13

Saturday, October 28

UNI-Dome

4:05 PM

University of Northern Iowa

5-3 , 3-1

Western Illinois (Youth Football Day)

4-5 , 1-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Western Illinois

UNI

Panthers Fall to Western Illinois, 24-13

10/28/2006 8:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

By: UNI Athletics Communications

Oct. 28, 2006

Final Stats | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The No. 7-ranked University of Northern Iowa Panthers suffered their first Gateway Football Conference loss of the season today at home against Western Illinois University. Following a close first half the Panthers were unable to produce any points in the third and fourth quarters and fell 24-13 to the Leathernecks.

Junior quarterback Eric Sanders threw for 201 passing yards, but the Panthers were only able to find the end zone once against WIU. Sophomore running back Corey Lewis led the Panthers with 37 rushing yards and 78 receiving yards. Western Illinois tallied 353 yards of total offense in the contest.

UNI's first drive of the game produced a 20-yard field goal from Brian Wingert to give the Panthers a quick 3-0 lead. The drive covered just nine yards in four plays and included two completed passes to Darian Williams. Junior safety Chris Parsons set up the Panthers with a short field after he intercepted a Steve LaFalce pass on WIU's fifth offensive play of the game.

WIU was quick to return as it went 44 yards in 12 plays resulting in a 53-yard field goal by Taylor Rowan. After a punt from UNI the Leathernecks' LaFalce completed a 50-yard drive with a 14-yard pass to receiver Jarrell Johnson for their first touchdown and a 10-3 Leatherneck lead.

Midway through the second quarter the Panthers found success on offense. UNI finished off a 67-yard drive in just nine plays with a 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ross Hannam. Hannam finished the day with three catches for 43 yards.

Western Illinois regained the lead on a 10-play 80-yard drive that was capped by a 12-yard touchdown pass from LaFalce to Alex Douglas. The touchdown came at the 2:00 mark of the second quarter and put WIU on top, 17-10.

The Panthers would answer back right before the halftime gun on a 40-yard field goal by Wingert. The three-pointer left the Panthers trailing, 17-13, at the intermission.

Both teams were held scoreless in the third quarter. The Panthers were able to keep the Leathernecks within reach most of the fourth quarter. But the Panther offense could not sustain a drive and the Leathernecks were able to finish off UNI with a five-yard touchdown run by Alex Douglas with only 1:10 left in the game.

The Panthers drop to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play, while the Leathernecks move to 4-5 overall and 1-4 in the Gateway. UNI will be at home again next Saturday as the Panthers take on Western Kentucky. Kickoff is set for 4:05 p.m. in the UNI-Dome.