University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
10-2 , 7-1
Southern Utah
4-7 , 1-3
#4 UNI Triumphs Over Southern Utah, 34-24
11/22/2008 7:00:00 AM | Football
CEDAR CITY, Utah - The No. 4-ranked University of Northern Iowa football team completed its sixth 10-win regular season in school history with a 34-24 victory over Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Eccles Coliseum on Saturday. UNI improved to 10-2 overall, while SUU dropped to 4-7 overall.
UNI was able to take control of the game in the third quarter with a 17-0 advantage after being tied with Southern Utah at the half, 17-17.
UNI gained some early momentum when Sean McMoore intercepted a tipped Cody Stone pass and returned it 36 yards to the SUU 3-yard line. UNI cashed in the turnover when Corey Lewis scored from two yards out to put UNI on top 7-0 with 12:29 left in the first quarter.
Southern Utah answered back with a field goal on its ensuing drive. The Thunderbirds' Steve Pulver drilled a 27-yard field goal with 8:42 remaining in the first to pull the home squad to within 7-3.
The Panthers punted on their next possession and the Thunderbirds took over on their 20-yard line. SUU marched 80 yards and scored the first touchdown against the Panther defense in more than 12 quarters when quarterback Kyle Bowen tossed a three-yard score to tight end Joel Johnson. The score came at the 1:55 mark of the first quarter and gave SUU the lead, 10-7.
UNI regained the lead at 14-10 on a three-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Pat Grace to Lewis. The Panthers drove 70 yards in 10 plays and scored with 12:00 left in the second quarter. The drive was extended by a roughing the passer penalty when the ball was in UNI territory.
The Panthers were able to increase the lead to seven points at 17-10 on a 35-yard field goal from Billy Hallgren. Hallgren's kick closed out an 11-play, 61-yard drive with 4:37 left in the second quarter.
The Thunderbirds refused to go away in the first half and knotted the score at 17-17 on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Stone to Tysson Poots with only 19 seconds left in the half. The T-Birds drove 75 yards in 12 plays and consumed 4:12 off the clock.
UNI regained the advantage following a 17-yard touchdown gallop by junior running back Derrick Law. Law's score capped a nine-play, 80-yard drive to begin the third quarter and gave UNI a 24-17 lead.
The Panther defense dented the scoreboard next when sophomore linebacker stripped SUU running back Kennie Apilli of the ball and returned the fumble 32 yards for a touchdown. Thompson's score came at the 6:49 mark of the third quarter and pushed the UNI lead to 31-17.
UNI's third-quarter dominance continued when Hallgren made his second field goal of the game, this time from 36 yards out to increase the Panther lead to 34-17 with 1:48 left in the period.
SUU attempted to pull within 14 points midway through the fourth quarter but senior defensive tackle Everette Pedescleaux broke through and blocked Pulver's 27-yard field goal attempt. It was the sixth blocked kick of Pedescleaux's career.
The Thunderbirds drew within 10 points at 34-24 with 4:10 to go in the fourth quarter when Stone hooked up with Poots again, this time for a 16-yard score. The T-Birds then attempted an onside kick but the kick went only six yards and the Panthers took over on the SUU 36-yard line.
Lewis led the UNI rushing attack with 97 yards and a rushing score. Lewis also added a touchdown reception. Lewis needs 25 yards to become the Panthers' all-time leading rusher.
Grace passed for 88 yards on 10-of-17 passing and added 45 yards on the ground. Redshirt freshman Josh Collins led the UNI receivers with three catches for 42 yards.
Junior linebacker Josh Mahoney and Thompson led the way defensively. Mahoney notched a game-high 11 tackles. Thompson tallied eight tackles, two tackles-for-loss, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a touchdown in helping UNI to the 34-24 victory.
The Panthers will find out Sunday who they will play in the FCS playoffs. UNI will have to enter the playoffs as an at-large selection after Southern Illinois was able to score a 17-10 overtime win over Illinois State. The FCS playoff selection show will air Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPNU.
Team Stats
UNI 7, SUU 0
UNI - Lewis, Corey 2 yd run (Hallgren, Billy kick), 2 plays, 3 yards, TOP 0:38
UNI 7, SUU 3
SUU - PULVER, Steve 27 yd field goal 7 plays, 56 yards, TOP 3:40
UNI 7, SUU 10
SUU - JOHNSON, Joel 4 yd pass from BOWEN, Kyle (PULVER, Steve kick) 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 4:43
UNI 14, SUU 10
UNI - Lewis, Corey 3 yd pass from Grace, Pat (Hallgren, Billy kick) 10 plays, 70 yards, TOP 4:46
UNI 17, SUU 10
UNI - Hallgren, Billy 35 yd field goal 11 plays, 61 yards, TOP 5:22
UNI 17, SUU 17
SUU - POOTS, Tysson 15 yd pass from STONE, Cody (PULVER, Steve kick) 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:12
UNI 24, SUU 17
UNI - Law, Derrick 17 yd run (Hallgren, Billy kick), 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 4:28
UNI 31, SUU 17
UNI - Thompson, Jamar 32 yd fumble recovery (Hallgren, Billy kick)
UNI 34, SUU 17
UNI - Hallgren, Billy 36 yd field goal 9 plays, 31 yards, TOP 3:57
UNI 34, SUU 24
SUU - POOTS, Tysson 16 yd pass from STONE, Cody (PULVER, Steve kick) 7 plays, 41 yards, TOP 1:51