Panthers Win Home Opener Over South Dakota, 24-13

Saturday, September 6

UNI-Dome (Cedar Falls, Iowa)

4:05 PM

University of Northern Iowa

1-1

South Dakota

1-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

South Dakota

UNI

Panthers Win Home Opener Over South Dakota, 24-13

9/6/2008 8:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

By: UNI Athletics Communications

Final Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The No. 5-ranked University of Northern Iowa football team opened up its 2008 home slate with a 24-13 victory over South Dakota and improved to 1-1 on the season. The Coyotes fall to 1-1 on the season. This was the ninth win in the last 10 home openers at the UNI-Dome for the Panthers.

Despite giving up 415 yards of total offense and 290 yards through the air, the Panther defense held the Coyotes to just 13 points. However, the Panther defense was able to force four turnovers (three turnovers and one interception).

Following a missed field goal by Billy Hallgren on the opening possession by the Panthers, South Dakota marched from their own 29-yard line into UNI territory, setting up a 47-yard field goal for the Coyotes. UNI's Darrell Lloyd broke through the USD line to block the attempt and keep the score deadlocked at zero.

UNI put the first points on the board off a 10-play, 42-yard drive that took 6:45 off the clock. Billy Hallgren added the extra point to put the Panthers up, 7-0. Lewis finished the game with 155 yards on 21 attempts, his 16th 100-yard performance of his career.

Terrell McMoore ended the Coyotes ensuing drive as he forced a fumble that Josh Mahoney recovered. UNI was unable to convert the Coyote miscue into points and was forced to punt.

South Dakota drove 38-yards downfield to set up a 45-yard field goal, but Justin Veazie's attempt went wide right and the score remained 7-0.

After driving 71-yards on six plays, UNI extended its lead to 14-0 on 16-yard pass from Pat Grace to Schuylar Oordt at the 9:11 mark of the second quarter.

South Dakota responded with a touchdown of its own, on a 7-yard run by quarterback Noah Shepard. UNI quickly drove 69 yards downfield to score again, this time on a 32-yard pass from Grace to Johnny Gray right before halftime.

Josh Mahoney sparked life into the Panther defense early in the second half after intercepting a Shepard pass and returning it 42 yards to the South Dakota 11-yard line. UNI failed to convert the turnover into points once again, as Hallgren's 27-yard field goal attempt went wide right.

South Dakota dipped into the Panthers' lead late in the third quarter off a two-yard run by Noah Shepard. A botched snap on the extra-point left kept UNI with an eight point lead at 21-13.

Hallgren added the final score of the game for the Panthers at the 6:29 mark of the fourth quarter on a 28-yard field goal. The score capped off a 13-play, 76-yard drive that took 5:47 seconds off the clock.

South Dakota looked as if they could cut into the Panthers lead, but Thompson recovered a fumble at the Panthers 14-yard line to halt the Coyote drive. UNI was unable to convert a third-and-seven and were forced to punt the ball back to the Coyotes with 1:30 left on the clock.

South Dakota converted a fourth-and-seven to reach the Panthers 30-yard line, but the tandem of James Ruffin and Justin Kirk sacked Shepard, forcing a fumble recovered by UNI's Jordan Smith.

The Panthers finished the game with 324 yards of total offense, including 194 yards rushing and 130 yards passing.

UNI has a week off before welcoming South Dakota State to the UNI-Dome on Sept. 20. Kickoff is set for 4:05 p.m.

NOTES:
Corey Lewis recorded his 16th career 100-yard rushing game after racking up 154 yards on the ground against South Dakota.

UNI won its ninth home opener in its last ten seasons.