University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
1-0 , 1-0
North Dakota State
1-1 , 0-1
UNI Posts Season-Opening Triumph Over North Dakota State, 16-9
9/11/2010 8:00:00 AM | Football
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Northern Iowa Panthers topped the North Dakota State Bison 16-9 in UNI's season opener in the UNI-Dome.
The Panthers recorded a school-record 11 sacks and held the Bison to -40 rushing yards. UNI's Ben Boothby also tied a school record with 4.0 sacks of his own.
The Panthers took an early lead in the game on a 21-yard field goal by Billy Hallgren.
North Dakota State followed with a field goal of its own to tie the game at 3-3 with 2:24 left in the first quarter.
Following a 47-yard pass from L.J. Fort intercepted a pass from NDSU quarterback Jose Mohler. The Panthers made a quick drive to score another field goal, making the score 9-3 to begin the second quarter.
The rest of the second half was scoreless; making the halftime score, 9-3.
The first touchdown of the game came with 3:24 left in the third quarter. Carlos Anderson carried around the right end and dove for the pylon to give UNI its first touchdown of the season. Hallgren's extra point gave UNI a 16-3 cushion.
The Bison refused to yield and scored their first touchdown of the game (and the season - having recorded a 6-3 win over Kansas last week on two field goals) on a 16-yard scramble by Mohler. The NDSU touchdown came with 3:21 left in the game. However, UNI's Varmah Sonie blocked the extra point to keep the margin at seven points.
UNI attempted to run out the clock but had to punt the ball back to NDSU with 1:33 left in the game.
NDSU got the ball on its own 27-yard line and proceeded to complete its first down pass to Titus Mack for a 23-yard gain. The Bison appeared to tie the game on a 41-yard touchdown pass but an offensive pass interference penalty wiped out the score. L.J. Fort and James Conley sacked Mohler on the ensuing play to force the Bison into a 4^th and 29.
But a pass interference penalty on the Panthers extended the drive and gave the Bison a couple more shots at the end zone. However, the Panthers added back-to-back sacks to end the game and secure the win.
UNI had a total of 434 offensive yards. Carlos Anderson led the team in rushing yards with a career high of 158, followed by Tirrell Rennie with 96 yards.
The Panthers next action will come next Saturday, September 18, against Stephen F. Austin. The game is set to kickoff at 4 p.m. Next Saturday will also mark the Panthers' Hall of Fame game where five individuals and the 1964 football team will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the McLeod Center.
Notes: The 75-yard punt by John Hermann (2005) and Matt Peterson (1997) ... the announced attendance was 14,422.
Team Stats
NDSU 0, UNI 3
UNI - Hallgren, Billy 21 yd field goal 10 plays, 69 yards, TOP 4:32
NDSU 3, UNI 3
NDSU - Jastram,Ryan 28 yd field goal 10 plays, 63 yards, TOP 4:51
NDSU 3, UNI 6
UNI - Hallgren, Billy 32 yd field goal 5 plays, 55 yards, TOP 2:05
NDSU 3, UNI 9
UNI - Hallgren, Billy 26 yd field goal 5 plays, 34 yards, TOP 1:49
NDSU 3, UNI 16
UNI - Anderson,Carlos 12 yd run (Hallgren, Billy kick), 4 plays, 51 yards, TOP 1:12
NDSU 9, UNI 16
NDSU - Mohler,Jose 16 yd run (Jastram,Ryan kickblocked), 12 plays, 72 yards, TOP 4:28
