Defense/Special Teams Propels UNI Past Redbirds, 42-28

Saturday, November 1

Cedar Falls, Iowa (UNI-Dome)

4:00 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

5-4 , 3-2

Illinois State

7-1 , 4-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Illinois State

UNI

Defense/Special Teams Propels UNI Past Redbirds, 42-28

11/1/2014 1:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

By: UNI Athletics Communications

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa football team posted a 42-28 victory over No. 6-ranked Illinois State Saturday evening. The win improved UNI's overall record to 5-4 and 3-2 in league play. Illinois State left with its first blemish of the season and fell to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the MVFC.

The Panthers scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including two rushing scores from senior running back David Johnson to seal the win. Johnson's 129 yards on the ground pushed him into first all-time at UNI in career rushing yards with 4,051.

The UNI defense and special teams stole the show against the Redbirds, coming up with two of UNI's scoring plays, including an interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter by Tim Kilfoy. Kilfoy finished with a career-high 10 tackles, including two interceptions.

Illinois State jumped on the board in the first 12 seconds after UNI fumbled on its first offensive drive. The Redbirds found the end zone on their first play after Marshau Coprich rushed 28 yards for the score, giving them a 7-0 lead with 14:48 left in the first quarter.

The Redbirds early first quarter touchdown was the only score of the quarter. Illinois State had a chance to take a 10-0 lead with 14:00 on the clock in the second quarter, but was unable to convert on a 46-yard field goal attempt by Nick Aussieker.

The Panthers evened the score with 11:09 left in the second quarter after UNI put up a strong defensive stand across the board, forcing Illinois State to punt on its own 28-yard-line. Tate Omli was able to come away with a blocked punt and Charles Brown recovered the block and returning it seven yards for a touchdown, making the score 7-7.

UNI took the lead with 10:05 on the clock in the third quarter when Brion Carnes found Kevin Vereen Jr. for a 28-yard scoring play. The drive burned 1:27 off the clock for four plays and 53 yards, giving the Panthers a 14-7 lead.

The Panthers added to their score line later in the third quarter after a miscue on Illinois State's offense led to a Karter Schult fumble recovery giving UNI the ball on the Redbird 31-yard line. On the next play, Johnson rushed for a 31-yard touchdown to put UNI up 21-7 with 5:46 left in the quarter.

Illinois State was able to cut UNI's lead to seven points with 3:17 left in the third when Coprich scored his second touchdown of the game on an 8-yard scoring rush. The drive lasted two plays for 13 yards and 40 seconds to make the score 21-14.

The Redbirds evened the game to open scoring in the fourth quarter after Coprich broke free for a 76-yard rushing touchdown to make the score 21-21. It was a one-play drive taking 10 seconds off the clock.

Johnson had an answer for the Redbirds on the ensuing kickoff, returning it 98 yards for a touchdown. The career-long return for the senior gave UNI a 28-21 lead with 8:46 left in the game.

The Clinton, Iowa, native continued his dominance against the Redbirds with his third touchdown of the game with 4:12 on the clock to give UNI a 35-21 lead. Johnson bounced through the Illinois State defense for an 18-yard rushing touchdown, ending a five-play, 35-yard drive that took 2:23 off the clock.

Illinois State cut UNI's lead again with 2:09 left in the fourth quarter after Tre Roberson found tight end James O'Shaughnessy open in the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown. The score cut the lead to 35-28, ending a 2:03 drive that took seven plays and covered 82 yards.

The score did not last that way for long, as Kilfoy came up with one of the most pivotal plays of the game. Kilfoy came away with his pick-six with 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter to give UNI a 42-28 lead. He followed it up with his second interception of the game on the first play of Illinois State's last drive to secure the victory.

The UNI Panthers will return to action on Sat., Nov. 8, when they play host to No. 1-ranked North Dakota State. The game will kick at 4 p.m.

Post-Game Notes vs. Illinois State

- Captains against Illinois State: #46 Jake Farley, #98 Xavier Williams, #66 Jack Rummells, #37 Max Busher

- David Johnson broke the school record for career rushing yards against Illinois State with his 129-yard performance. He now has 4,051 total yards, passing the previous record holder, Corey Lewis (2005-08, 4,003 yards). He also leads UNI all-time in career total touchdowns and all-purpose yards.

- Senior Tate Omli came away with his first-career blocked punt for UNI, setting up UNI's first points of the game.

- Charles Brown scored his first-career touchdown against Illinois State, picking up a blocked punt and returned it seven yards to the end zone in the second quarter. It marked the second time this season that UNI has scored points off a blocked punt. Deiondre' Hall blocked a punt against Northern Colorado (9/2), resulting in a team safety.

- David Johnson has moved into third all-time in rushing attempts after his 29 carries against Illinois State. He now has 747 career carries in a Panther uniform. He also moved into second all-time in rushing touchdowns after his two against Illinois State, giving him a total of 40.

- UNI now has 72 wins over Top 25 opponents.