University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
6-3 , 5-1
Missouri State (Senior Day)
4-5 , 3-3
Panthers Clinch MVFC Title With 38-14 Win Over Missouri State
11/13/2010 7:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 13, 2010
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa football teama clinched the Missouri Valley Football Conference title with a 38-14 win over Missouri State on Senior Day Saturday night in the UNI-Dome. It marks the fourth time in six years that the Panthers have finished as conference champion, and it guarantees UNI a place in the FCS playoffs.
UNI (7-3, 6-1 MVFC) was first on the board, scoring on the opening kick-off. Billy Hallgren added the extra point to put the Panthers up, 7-0.
Missouri State (4-5, 3-3 MVFC) tied the game at 7-7 after putting together a 79-yard, 14-play drive, capped by a one-yard run from Cody Kirby.
UNI answered on the ensuing possession, driving 77 yards in just two plays. Matt Strathman rushed for 27 yards on first down before Tirrell Rennie connected with Jarred Herring on a 50-yard touchdown pass. Hallgren added the point after and UNI took the lead again, 14-7.
The Bears returned a Panther punt 49 yards to the UNI 33 and two plays later Stephe Johnston dashed 18 yards for a Bears touchdown. Witmer added the extra point to tie the game at 14-14.
Rennie connected with Maurice Turner for a 30-yard touchdown strike, and Hallgren added the point after to give UNI the lead for good at 21-14.
On the ensuing Bears possession, L.J. Fort thwarted the Bears' chance at a score, intercepting Kirby's pass on the UNI seven-yard line. The Panthers failed to convert the Bears' miscue into points however, and were forced to punt.
The Panther defense forced a three-and-out on the next Bears. With the Bears punting from their own four, Terrell McBride blocked the punt and J.J. Swain fell on it in the end zone for a Panther touchdown, giving UNI a 28-14 lead.
After a nearly scoreless third quarter, Rennie connected with Herring again, this time from 31 yards, for Herring's second touchdown of the day. Hallgren added the extra point to give UNI a 35-14 lead. Herring finished the day with two catches for 81 yards.
The only scoring of the fourth quarter came on a Hallgren field goal from 31 yards with 8:58 remaining.
Jamar Thompson finished with a team-best 10 tackles. The Panther defense racked up eight sacks on the night, with Ben Boothby registering two.
On the offensive side, the Panthers finished the night with a total of 181 rushing yards and 161 receiving yards. Herring received the ball twice with 81 receiving yards, both of which were touchdowns.
The Panthers return to action on Saturday when they wrap up the regular season at Western Illinois.
Team Stats
MSU 0, UNI 7
UNI - Anderson,Carlos 88 yd kickoff return (Hallgren, Billy kick)
MSU 7, UNI 7
MSU - Kirby,Cody 1 yd run (Witmer,Austin kick), 14 plays, 79 yards, TOP 6:34
MSU 7, UNI 14
UNI - Herring, Jarred 50 yd pass from Rennie, Tirrell (Hallgren, Billy kick) 2 plays, 77 yards, TOP 0:41
MSU 14, UNI 14
MSU - Johnston,Stephe 18 yd run (Witmer,Austin kick), 3 plays, 33 yards, TOP 0:48
MSU 14, UNI 21
UNI - Turner, Maurice 30 yd pass from Rennie, Tirrell (Hallgren, Billy kick) 9 plays, 83 yards, TOP 4:25
MSU 14, UNI 28
UNI - Swain, J.J. 0 yd blocked punt return (Hallgren, Billy kick)
MSU 14, UNI 35
UNI - Herring, Jarred 31 yd pass from Rennie, Tirrell (Hallgren, Billy kick) 7 plays, 64 yards, TOP 3:33
MSU 14, UNI 38
UNI - Hallgren, Billy 31 yd field goal 13 plays, 49 yards, TOP 7:19
