University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
2-1
Saint Francis (PA)
1-2
Panthers Shut Out St. Francis, 30-0
9/19/2009 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 19, 2009
For more highlights and post-game reaction log on to UNI Athletics on YouTube
The University of Northern Iowa football team improved its record to 2-1 with a 30-0 shutout victory over St. Francis (Pa.) in the UNI-Dome on Saturday. The Panther defense limited St. Francis to 147 yards of total offense for the game.
The shutout was the first for the Panthers since a 28-0 victory over Indiana State on Nov. 15, 2008.
Senior running back Derrick Law rushed for a career-high 139 yards on 19 carries. Senior wide receiver D.J. Hord led the Panthers in receiving, snagging four catches for 93 yards and two scores. Senior quarterback Pat Grace finished 10-of-18 passing for 167 yards.
Sophomore receiver and kick returner Terrell Allen returned one 97 yards in the season-opening game against Drake Aug. 31, 2006.
On the Panthers' first offensive drive, Grace found big chunks of yardage through the air. He completed a 23-yard pass to Hord and a 30-yard pass to Herring to put UNI in the red zone. Grace found Hord in the end zone from two yards out for the Panthers' second score. The PAT by Billy Hallgren put UNI up, 14-0, which would remain the score for the rest of the first half.
UNI found the end zone twice in the first five minutes of the game, but failed to capitalize on the remaining possessions of the first half. Carlos Anderson carried the ball eight times for 60 yards and caught one pass for eight yards in the first half. Grace went 5-of-10 for 69 yards with one TD and one interception in the first half.
UNI converted its first possession of the second half into three points. Hallgren split the uprights with a 40-yard field goal to stretch the margin to 17-0 with 9:25 remaining in the third quarter. Following a St. Francis three-and-out, Grace found Hord in stride down the left sideline - this time for a 57-yard scoring strike. Grace dropped the ball in over the top of two converging SFU defensive backs, and Hord outran everyone to the endzone.
UNI rushed the ball 12 times for 77 yards in the third quarter, while the Panther defense held the Red Flash offense to minus-seven yards rushing for the quarter.
The Panthers added two more Hallgren field goals, one in the third quarter and one in the fourth quarter, to reach the final score of 30-0.
UNI outgained the Red Flash 382-147 in total offense and held St. Francis to a 3-of-15 conversion rate on third downs. St. Francis had 32 rushing attempts for a net of 40 yards on the game. Their closest scoring opportunity ended on a missed 45-yard field goal attempt by Josh Thiel late in the first quarter.
Sophomore linebacker L.J. Fort led the defense with eight tackles. James Ruffin recorded 1.5 sacks and seven total tackles.
UNI will open Missouri Valley Football Conference play next Saturday in Springfield, Mo., when the Panthers meet up with the Missouri State Bears. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Plaster Field as the MVFC TV Game of the Week.
Team Stats
SFU 0, UNI 7
UNI - Herring, Jarred 88 yd kickoff return (Hallgren, Billy kick)
SFU 0, UNI 14
UNI - Hord, D.J. 2 yd pass from Grace, Pat (Hallgren, Billy kick) 7 plays, 68 yards, TOP 3:46
SFU 0, UNI 17
UNI - Hallgren, Billy 40 yd field goal 8 plays, 42 yards, TOP 3:07
SFU 0, UNI 24
UNI - Hord, D.J. 57 yd pass from Grace, Pat (Hallgren, Billy kick) 3 plays, 63 yards, TOP 1:12
SFU 0, UNI 27
UNI - Hallgren, Billy 27 yd field goal 9 plays, 49 yards, TOP 4:38
SFU 0, UNI 30
UNI - Hallgren, Billy 31 yd field goal 9 plays, 57 yards, TOP 4:03
