University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
5-2 , 3-1
North Dakota State
3-4 , 1-3
Panthers Topple Bison, 23-13
10/18/2008 8:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 18, 2008
Final Stats |
Quotes |
UNI-NDSU Photo Gallery 
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Despite a scoreless second half by the Panthers, the University of Northern Iowa held off North Dakota State for a 23-13 Missouri Valley Football Conference win in the UNI-Dome. The Panther defense was the difference maker in the contest, picking off four Bison passes and recovering a fumble.
Kicker Billy Hallgren put the first points on the board with a season-long 47-yard field goal that capped off a 41-yard 10-play drive on the Panthers' opening possession.
North Dakota State responded on the ensuing possession driving 70 yards to set up a 24-yard field goal by Shawn Bibeau. The drive was highlighted by a 40-yard rush by senior running back Tyler Roehl.
Freshman Jarred Herring returned the Bison kickoff 70 yards to the Bison 25-yard line and UNI extended the lead on a 25-yard scamper to extend the Panther lead to 10-3. Lewis finished the game with 64 yards rushing.
After an exchange of punts by both teams at the end of the first quarter, the Panthers opened the second period with a six-play 50-yard drive that saw Pat Grace find D.P. Eyman in the endzone for a 35-yard touchdown. Hallgren added the extra point and UNI went up 17-3.
A three-and-out by NDSU allowed UNI to return the Bison punt to the NDSU 35-yard line, setting up a 44-yard field goal by Hallgren. Hallgren finished the day three-for-three in field goal attempts, splitting the uprights from 47, 44 and 21 yards.
The Bison looked as if they were headed to the endzone after getting the ball at their own 44-yard line and marched to the UNI 27, but Terrell McMoore ended the Bison drive, intercepting Nick Mertens' pass. UNI failed to convert the intercept into points as Lewis fumbled on the next play, giving the Bison the ball at the Panther 23-yard line.
The UNI defense held the Bison to just three points off the Panther miscue as Bibeau split the uprights from 34 yards out bringing the score to 20-6 in favor of the Panthers.
Herring returned the ensuing kickoff 25 yards to midfield, setting up another field goal by Hallgren. Grace completed a 32-yard strike to Johnny Gray and two passes to Derrick Law to reach the NDSU 4-yard line, setting up the field goal with just 12 seconds left in the half. UNI went into halftime with a 23-6 lead.
Hallgren's field goal was the last time the Panthers would score, however the Panther defense held strong in the second half, forcing four turnovers, including three interceptions and a fumble recovery. Everette Pedsceaux sacked Mertens on their own 13-yard-line and James Ruffin recovered the ball to give UNI possession at the NDSU eight-yard line. A large loss on the ground by Gray compounded by a personal foul penalty set up second down and 46 from the NDSU 46-yard line. Two incomplete passes by Grace forced a Brook Black punt to give NDSU the ball.
Black finished the day with eight punts for 335 yards, averaging 41.9 yards, with a long of 55.
Terrell McMoore picked off his second pass of the day on the Bison's next possession, returning it 12 yards to the NDSU 36. The UNI offense was unable to convert however, and the Panthers were forced to punt again.
NDSU narrowed the Panther lead to 10 off a five-play 49-yard drive that eventually saw Mertens find Kole Heckendorf in the endzone for a 7-yard touchdown.
Herring had yet another big kickoff return in the ensuing possession, returning the kick 32 yards to the UNI 37-yard line. After Grace left the game with an injury, redshirt freshman Zach Davis completed a seven-yard pass to give the Panthers a first down at the NDSU 49-yard line. Runs of six and one yard by Law set up a third and three from the NDSU 42, but the Bison defense held, forcing yet another punt from Black.
The Bison's final hopes at a comeback were halted when Jamar Thompson picked off Mertens pass at the NDSU 37-yard line. The pick marked Thompson's third consecutive game with an interception.
UNI took possession at the Bison 37 and drove 34 yards, all on carries by Law, to the NDSU 3-yard line. The Bison defense held again, and the quarterback keeper by Zach Davis was halted at the line of scrimmage.
UNI's Terrell McMoore, and one fumble.
Pat Grace went 12-for-23 passing for 149 yards and one touchdown, while Johnny Gray finished with 77 receiving yards on four catches. Jarred Herring returned four kickoffs for 150 yards, a season-best for the freshman.
UNI (5-2, 3-1 MVFC) will face Youngstown State next weekend in Youngstown, Ohio. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. (central).
Team Stats
NDSU 0, UNI 3
UNI - Hallgren, Billy 47 yd field goal 10 plays, 41 yards, TOP 4:40
NDSU 3, UNI 3
NDSU - Shawn Bibeau 24 yd field goal 12 plays, 70 yards, TOP 4:24
NDSU 3, UNI 10
UNI - Lewis, Corey 25 yd run (Hallgren, Billy kick), 1 plays, 25 yards, TOP 0:18
NDSU 3, UNI 17
UNI - Eyman, D.P. 35 yd pass from Grace, Pat (Hallgren, Billy kick) 6 plays, 50 yards, TOP 3:02
NDSU 3, UNI 20
UNI - Hallgren, Billy 44 yd field goal 4 plays, 8 yards, TOP 1:05
NDSU 6, UNI 20
NDSU - Shawn Bibeau 34 yd field goal 4 plays, 6 yards, TOP 2:04
NDSU 6, UNI 23
UNI - Hallgren, Billy 21 yd field goal 6 plays, 41 yards, TOP 1:29
NDSU 13, UNI 23
NDSU - Kole Heckendorf 7 yd pass from Nick Mertens (Shawn Bibeau kick) 5 plays, 49 yards, TOP 1:30