University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
11-2
Maine
8-5
UNI Advances to Quarterfinals Topping Maine, 40-15
11/29/2008 7:00:00 AM | Football
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The No. 3-seeded University of Northern Iowa football squad advanced to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoff quarterfinals with a 40-15 victory over No. 20-ranked Maine in the UNI-Dome.
Freshman wide receiver Corey Lewis became the school's all-time leading rusher in the triumph over the Black Bears.
The victory was the Panthers' ninth-straight win and seventh consecutive first-round playoff victory. UNI remains undefeated in the Dome this season as well (7-0). UNI's triumph moved the Panthers into the quarterfinals where they will take on the New Hampshire Wildcats - the third time the teams have met in the past four years in the playoffs. Kickoff for next Saturday's game will be set on Sunday afternoon.
Herring had the most surprising and impressive performance of the evening. Coming into today's game, Herring had compiled 115 yards receiving with one touchdown. After this evening's contest, Herring boasted a game-high 102 yards receiving with two key touchdown receptions of 42 and 55 yards.
It was an historic day for Lewis. Lewis became the program's all-time leading rusher, breaking Jeff Stovall's record of 3,835 career yards. Lewis currently has 3,886 yards rushing. He finished the day, carrying the ball 14 times for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Saturday's contest began with two possessions that dictated the pace of the rest of the game. After stopping Maine on its opening drive, the Panthers marched down the field as running back Derrick Law rumbled his way into the end zone from two yards out with 5:21 remaining in the first quarter. Panther quarterback Pat Grace was three-for-three on the drive for 49 yards on the eight-play 65-yard scoring drive.
A blocked punt halfway through the second quarter put the Black Bears in position to score their first touchdown of the game. The score came off a Derek Session two-yard touchdown run, completing a five-play 15-yard drive to knot the score at 7-7.
The Panthers bounced back with a six-play 68-yard scoring drive that lasted only two minutes and 33 seconds. Herring capped off the drive as he raced past the Maine secondary with a 42-yard touchdown grab.
Spearheaded by a 10-yard sack by senior linebacker De'Veon Harris, the Panthers forced a safety two plays later. Black Bear's quarterback Michael Brusko was taken down for the safety, giving the Panthers a 16-7 lead.
Keeping the pedal to the floor, Grace found Herring once more for a 55-yard touchdown strike, giving the Panthers a comfortable 23-7 lead with 2:51 left in the first half.
The Panthers ended the first half in dominant fashion as they outgained the Black Bears in total offense 306 to 61 yards.
Picking up where they left off, the Panthers knocked on the scoreboard again in the third quarter. This time the Panthers' score came on a 39-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Billy Hallgren. The 12-play 42-yard scoring drive was highlighted by Lewis breaking UNI's career rushing mark on a six-yard rush.
The Panthers and Black Bears then engaged in a three straight drives ending in interceptions. The Panthers were able to finally capitalize following a Harris' intercept. Lewis scampered from two yards out to complete the three-play, 24-yard scoring drive to put the Panthers up 33-7.
On the ensuing Panther possession, Law scored his second touchdown of the night from 10 yards out on UNI's last score of the evening, pushing the margin to its eventual final, 40-15.
Panther Notes:
UNI won its ninth straight game of the year after starting the year 2-2 ... the Panthers won its seventh straight first-round playoff game ... UNI head coach Corey Lewis is now UNI's all-time career rushing leader with 3,886 yards ... the Panthers are 2-0 all-time against Maine.
Team Stats
MAINE 0, UNI 7
UNI - Law, Derrick 2 yd run (Hallgren, Billy kick), 8 plays, 65 yards, TOP 3:52
MAINE 7, UNI 7
MAINE - Session 2 yd run (Waxman kick), 5 plays, 15 yards, TOP 2:23
MAINE 7, UNI 14
UNI - Herring, Jarred 42 yd pass from Grace, Pat (Hallgren, Billy kick) 6 plays, 68 yards, TOP 2:33
MAINE 7, UNI 16
UNI - TEAM 2 yd safety
MAINE 7, UNI 23
UNI - Herring, Jarred 55 yd pass from Grace, Pat (Hallgren, Billy kick) 3 plays, 55 yards, TOP 0:45
MAINE 7, UNI 26
UNI - Hallgren, Billy 39 yd field goal 12 plays, 42 yards, TOP 6:48
MAINE 7, UNI 33
UNI - Lewis, Corey 2 yd run (Hallgren, Billy kick), 3 plays, 24 yards, TOP 1:22
MAINE 15, UNI 33
MAINE - Session 10 yd pass from Brusko (Fersner pass) 12 plays, 80 yards, TOP 6:04
MAINE 15, UNI 40
UNI - Law, Derrick 10 yd run (Hallgren, Billy kick), 7 plays, 44 yards, TOP 4:17